Page 129 of Forged in Rain

They’re not here in the barn, at least. Shit. Wiping my mouth, I swallow past the bitter taste of the bile still sitting on my tongue and turn toward the house.

It’s as empty as it was last time, but I spy a book lying on the dusty kitchen table. And when I look inside, I confirm it’s one of Joey’s books. His name is written in big black letters, the penmanship wobbly but with big swirls and dramatic T’s. He loves to write, and his passion shows in the flourishes.

“Shit.” Dropping into the seat, I rub my aching forehead with a groan.

Now what? I can’t go home without Iris. Pam’s going to notice her gone, and I assume this was a permanent type of deal. Plus, I still have to find my brother and Mom because they could starve to death or, potentially worse, meet John’s cruelty if I don’t.

I can’t do this alone, and I should’ve told Cyn to begin with, but I was afraid to involve more precious lives. As it turns out, I don’t have much choice.

I need help, and I don’t trust anyone else.

Shit just got ten times more complicated.

∞∞∞

Iris left with John in his car, so I drive hers back to town. All the while, I will my body to calm down, but the weird-ass twitching persists. When I reach the city limits, I pull into a gas station and glide into a parking spot on fumes before putting the car in park. I’m exhausted, and the scenery dances before my watery eyes.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, bringing me out of my weird-ass daze, and I smile when I see a message from Cyn.

Where are you, beauty?

I’m at a gas station. Old Mill Rd and 73rd. Can you pick me up?

Stay put. I’ll be right there

He’s coming. Thank fuck, because I need the safety of his embrace. I’m losing touch with reality and reeling from the events at the barn.

With a shaky sigh, I lean my head against the seat and close my eyes, but all I can focus on is the throbbing in my skull. Thankfully, my ankle feels better. I’m a little scraped up, and my bones hurt from hitting the dirt hard, but the injuries are minimal considering what could have happened.

I still don’t understand what Iris’ goal was. But whatever it was, she’s trapped now, and I’m not sure she’ll ever be free again. These thoughts cramp my stomach, and I suck in a slow breath, but when the roiling persists, I lean out the door and puke onto the pavement.

“Beauty?”

Wiping my mouth, I glance up at Cyn standing before me, and tears fill my eyes. He looks so good that I jump into his arms with a sob. All the emotions I’ve been battling surge to the fore with him here to catch me, and I feel safe to fall apart.

“Sh,” he says, rubbing my back. “It’s all right. I’m here.”

∞∞∞

“You did what?” Cyn demands, slamming his hand on the table.

Wearily, I glance at Jig, sitting across from Cyn and me, with Bastion at the end.

“I—”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he snarls, standing and pacing away.

Shrinking in my seat, I clear my throat. “I’m sorry. It was a mistake. But I need your help now.”

“Beauty, I’ll always help you,” he mutters, running his hands through his dark hair. “But you have to promise me you won’t go off by yourself again.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to point out I wasn’t technically alone, but I refrain because it’ll only make him angrier, and well, I might as well have been.

“Where would the creepy fucker keep them?” Jig interjects, his blue eyes shining with concern.

With a wobbly smile, I say, “Maybe the cabin?”

“What cabin?” Bastion asks.

---