One Insatiable(58)

Searching





Koa


Every moment I’m away from Mercy, my desperation builds. She’d been confident she could handle Hayden, but I know my beautiful little lynx. She’s strong, but she’s young.

Hades or Kanaloa or Hayden — whatever label he chooses in the mythology of the culture — has been around since the dawn of time. He might find my beautiful little cat amusing, but she won’t tweak his nose for long. The myths and legends describing him starving and beating his captives propel me from my bed. It’s early Saturday, and Jim might have word for me on what I hope is the passage to the underworld.

Naturally, I didn’t tell him that’s what I’m trying to find, but if there’s a fault line in the vicinity of Nightmoon Lake, I’m confident it’s the gateway. It lines up with where I was the night I felt him and with what the cemetery caretaker said.

Pulling on dark jeans and a black tee, I dig further in the closet and find a leather jacket. I don’t remember it being here before. My brow lines, but I pull it on. It’s a perfect fit. I can only assume this is more of Dora’s work. Black boots on, I head out the door and down the stairs. Jim’s truck is in the driveway.

“Any news for me?” Doris and Jim are sitting at the small table finishing breakfast when I pull open the metal screen door.

“Sit down and eat,” Doris is on her feet pulling a plate from her cabinet. “You need your strength.”

“Did you give me this jacket?”

Her frown tightens as I hold out an arm. “I guessed it was your size. Looks good on you.”

“Thanks. You have to stop giving me gifts like this. They’re too expensive.”

“You planning to run around naked this winter?”

“Don’t do that, bro.” Jim’s expression is serious. “You’ll get arrested.”

“I hope I’ll be gone before winter sets in.” I’m standing in the kitchen watching them move.

“Going to Mercy? I knew you would.” He nods, taking his last bite of toast. “Oh, I got that intel you wanted. Sally’s cousin said a meteorite or something formed a rift near where the cabins meet the creek. It’s about impossible to find, from what he said. In fact, he said he’s never seen it.”

My chest tightens. “Mind if I borrow your truck?” I don’t wait for an answer. I’m already out the door.

“Put some gas in it, dude!” Jim’s shouting behind me, but I’m in the cab, pulling down the sun visor. Keys drop in my lap, and I ram them in the ignition. I’d rather be doing this in my panther form, but I have to be able to communicate. Also, the last thing I need is to be naked in the underworld.

It’s a grey day, and rain threatens in the sky. The temperature is fifty degrees, but the wind and gloom make it feel colder. Pressure builds in my head, pressing against my temples as I follow an enormous Lincoln Towncar down the narrow, two-lane road.

“Who drives this slow outside of town?” I growl, fighting the urge to lay on Jim’s horn. Every second feels like an eternity.

Finally, the old man ahead of me turns off onto a side street — after coming to a complete stop in front of me. I floor it, and he shakes a fist out his window. Ignoring that, I round the curve, pulling up at the guard shack at the lake park entrance.

Another five, and I’m circling to the east, headed out past the cabins to where the woods begin and civilization ends. A few cars are parked near the small bungalows. I drive as far away from them as possible and park near a large dumpster. Keys in the visor, I charge into the damp forest.

Running, I sweep my eyes over every inch of the terrain. Rolling hills covered in leaves is all I see. I start out at a jog, but as the trees grow thicker together and my path leads further from the creek, I slow my pace and double back. At one point, I come to a complete halt, listening. The faint noise of running water, an occasional bark of a squirrel, a noise like the tapping on wood, which I soon identify as a bird, are the only sounds I hear.

If only I could scent the air. For a moment I entertain the thought of stripping, hiding these clothes in a bush while I scour the area in my panther form. I’m desperate to find her. I have to find that rift.

Dropping to a squat, I rub my face with my hands. Mercy… I’m searching for you. My Mercy — can you hear me? I’m not convinced my thoughts travel through the barrier between our worlds, but I still try. If they do go through, I hope they give her hope.

Waiting, I close my eyes and listen. Water, bird, squirrel. Something new… A squeal of laughter from far away on the lake. Pushing off the ground, I walk slowly back the way I came.

My boots shuffle through the bright yellow leaves covering the ground. Their shushing sound joins the peaceful, earthly noises of the forest. Internally, I’m thinking of a new search in the library — maps of the area around Nightmoon Cabins.

I’m frustrated and angry and almost to the clearing where I left Jim’s truck when I stop. A wave of dread shadowed across my heart. It disappeared as fast as it appeared, but I recognize it. Spinning around, I return to the woods, looking all around frantically. Up, down, everywhere. I strain my eyes, but all I see is nothing.

Everywhere I look is brown trees, yellow leaves, dark green scrub. “Where are you?” I growl, turning again toward the parking lot. I wait several long moments, but I can’t find it. “Dammit!”