Page 88 of Kiss the Dawn
“Better than expected. They’re beginning to remember things, to control their beasts, so much faster than expected. The Sisters are helping. It’s the best environment for them. A safe place for them to master the changes that they’re going through.”
“I can come visit?”
“I’d love that, and so would they. Hemlock can bring you when you’re ready. Take some time with Ezekiel first and wrap up whatever you need to at work before you come visit. I want a week at least.” There was a soft growl to his demand that evoked an answering heat low in my belly.
“I miss you.”
“Nowhere near as much as I miss you, and when I?—”
The line went dead. “Fuck!”
“Pepperoni,” Ezekiel said from the doorway.
“Huh?” He looked unbelievably sexy leaning against the doorjamb, all muscled abs and tousled dark hair. Like this, it would be easy to mistake him for a cover model for male underwear.
He held up the pizza menu. “I think I’d like to try the pepperoni.”
Chapter 32
PADMA
“Orina, we have a strong lead on the missing persons case. The symbol is on a boarded-up building in Brimswood somewhere near a Williams and Johns and a laundromat. We’ll investigate it and get back to you. Hope you’re healing well.”
I leave the message on her machine and tuck my phone into my pocket.
It’s time to scout.
Brimswood is a huge part of Dracul territory, the central part, housing the fanciest places. But Citynet helps us find the four stores owned by Williams and Johns. They’re spread out across the area, but we work our way inwards, searching each locale for thematching description, and come up short until we get to our second-to-last stop.
We take a turn around the block and find a laundromat.
“This is it.” I hurry forward, eagerly. “There should be some?—”
And there they are in front of us. Four buildings in a row with for lease signs on them. It’s quiet down this street, eerily so, and I have the urge to leave.
“I don’t want to be here,” Merry says abruptly. “Let’s go.”
I’m about to agree even though the logical side of my brain is against it because this is the place. I know it is.
“There’s a spell at work here,” Holly says before I can speak. “A turnaround lookaway spell. I’m surprised that Jacqueline was able to withstand it. It’s strong. Come on.”
She leads the way down the street, past the first two buildings that sit squat and dark on the grimy pavement. The road sweepers haven’t made it down here in a while. Probably on account of the spell Holly’s detected.
“I don’t see any symbols,” Merry says. “Dammit, the urge to leave is making my stomach hurt.”
“It’ll pass,” Holly says calmly. “Focus on something to ground you. Like my voice or hold my hand.” She offers it to Merry, who takes it with a smile. “Better?” Holly asks.
Merry nods. “Yes, actually.”
“You okay?” Holly asks me.
I feel antsy, but I’m fine, and I tell her that, stepping closer to the building because I think I see something. It’s dark because the streetlights don’t work and the moon has dipped behind a cloud. “I think I see something here.” I point at a spot low down by the side of the door.
They both join me in staring at the spot, and I catch a little gleam. “There, did you see it?”
Holly pulls her phone out and shines the flashlight but all that does is turn the wood dead and dull. She frowns and looks up at the sky. “Wait for it. Step back.” She shoos us away from the door.
A moment later moonlight bathes the street, washing everything in silver, and the symbol lights up like a beacon.
