Page 6 of The Magic of Revenge
Kai shook his head.
"Something is really fucked up. I don't know what it is, but I can feel it. He's never left me before. I don't know what to make of this."
"We'll figure it out together, brother. Keep your head up. I'm sure Bagheera will return soon," I assured him, clapping him on the back just as we reached Laurie and Sloane. Bryce was nowhere to be seen.
"Okay, gentlemen. Do you want me to give you a quick tour? Or I can just show you to your rooms. Asrael won't be here until later this evening, so you'll have time to get cleaned up and rest if you'd like." Laurie smiled but it didn't reach her eyes. My own narrowed as I focused on her big greens. She reminded me of someone. Recognition was scratching at my mind but before I could focus on it, my head throbbed and Sloane piped up, redirecting my thoughts.
"Just to the rooms would be great. I can't wait to take a shower."
"Right. I figured as much. Follow me, please." Laurie turned and moved toward a grand staircase that swept up the right side of the entranceway, its steps getting wider at the top as they expanded into a loft that was open on both sides.
Most of the interior of this place had been remodeled, but there was still some original architecture, like the exposed cobblestone walls and huge wooden beams that held up the ceiling. We trudged up the stairs, following Laurie as she took a left and walked across the open loft.
"How old is this building?" Sloane asked, his voice gruff as ever.
"Built in 1779. It's been in Asrael's family forever," she added. "This wing is for guests. It's empty for now, though we’re expecting another visitor for dinner. I'm not sure if she'll be staying or not. Anyway, here are your rooms." She pointed at three doors that were in a row. "There are connecting doors between each of them so you can visit each other whenever you wish."
I twisted the large brass knob and pushed through the door. A massive four poster bed loomed in the middle of the large space, with matching dark furniture spread throughout.
"By the moon, who robbed King Henry VIII? That crazy bastard seems like someone who would haunt your ass over theft," Kai blurted out in true Kai fashion, his gaze darting around and taking everything in.
"Guess you can sleep in this room then, K," Sloane taunted, moving for the door to the next room.
"Uhhh, I think the fuck not!" Kai shouted.
"I'll be back later when it's time for dinner. There are extra clothes in the closets and dressers," Laurie informed us. "You know the drill. Life on the road and all that... Anyway, see you boys later." She moved to step toward the door.
“Wait,” I called out and she lifted a brow in question. “Did they catch him?”
“Catch who?” Laurie asked, confusion evident on her face.
“That lion shifter,” I said slowly.
“Oh!” She laughed a little too loudly. “Silly me. Yes. Another team was able to capture him. Forgive me, I’m more than exhausted at the moment.”
“No problem. Well, good. At least the mission wasn’t for nothing then…” I muttered as she excused herself from our room.
"What the hell is going on?" Sloane abandoned the search for another room now that we were alone, and flopped down on the bed.
"Anyone else getting weird vibes?” I asked. Because shit, I definitely was. “Laurie’s response to that question was strange. I think she’s lying." Everything felt off. The fuzzy memory, Laurie and Bryce acting like everything was normal—almost unaffected by Fischer’s death—which would be strange if we all worked together as closely as they’d implied. Neither of them had expressed any kind of condolences either. In fact, they were acting like nothing was amiss.
“She’s hiding something, I just don’t know what,” Sloane mumbled, the frown on his mouth causing his brows to pull in.
Kai was pacing. I could practically hear his thoughts.
"Bagheera has never abandoned me before," he pondered.
Sloane propped himself up on his elbows. "What? Bagheera is gone? What the fuck?"
"I have no idea. That's what I told Cam outside. On the ride here I was so numb and I think in shock from... well, you know. I didn't think about Bagheera," Kai admitted, looking guilty as fuck. "I didn't even think about how he probably felt. I'm so selfish," he groaned.
"For Bagheera to leave you, there must've been something else. Yes, losing Fischer was traumatic, but your animal wouldn't leave you over that. He'd stand by your side and lend you strength," Sloane reminded Kai.
"He's right, man. Baggie wouldn't leave you."
Sloane and Kai both lifted a brow.
"What?"
