Thirst (Hellish #4)(28)

“He’s too busy to speak with betrayers today. Try back tomorrow.”

Eirik spoke through clenched teeth. “It’s important or I wouldn’t bother him.”

“Nope, can’t do it,” Lire said as he tried shutting the door.

Kallus slapped his hand against the wood, stopping him. “We’re looking for Baptiste. We’ve been tracking his energy. This is the last place he popped up.”

“No shit,” Lire said, intentionally being unhelpful. “You were with him.”

“Not last night,” Eirik growled, losing his patience. “This morning.”

Lire glanced between them. His lip curled with disgust. “You’re killing me with this bullshit,” Lire said, practically sneering each word. “You both had no problem leaving him alone before. Now you act as if he won’t survive a day without you. It serves you right to suffer some time without him. After all, he’s spent three years without you.”

“For the last time,” Eirik growled. “I was trying to protect him, and he wasn’t without me.”

The ugliest snort Eirik had ever heard escaped the lust demon. “Is this the condescending shit you fed him? If so, it’s no wonder he left.”

Eirik swallowed his anger. Losing his temper would get him nowhere. “I’m trying to make it right,” he said, enunciating each word. “But I can’t do that if I don’t know where he is. This was the last place he appeared. Someone here has to know something.”

Lire shrugged, looking unconcerned. “As I’ve already told you, Jonathan is busy, and neither of my mates nor I have seen him since we left you alone in the guest room.”

Eirik pinched the spot between his eyes, trying his ass off to hang onto his calm. Celeste would probably frown upon him leveling her grandson’s home.

Kallus took over. “What about Evan? I can smell the dog. Was he with Baptiste?”

A bland smile touched Lire’s lips. “That’s something else you’ll have to discuss with one of the kings. They decide who stays and who goes,” he added pointedly.

Eirik’s desire to scream doubled when Lire closed the door in his face. Rather than kicking the door in, Eirik turned and hauled Kallus against him. With Kallus wrapped in his arms, and his lips pressed Kallus’ forehead, Eirik breathed through the pain.

“We’ll find him,” Kallus said as he held Eirik tighter.

“Tell me what other choice I had. I swear I saw none.”

Kallus’ grip tightened on Eirik’s shirt. “You tell me and I’ll tell you. I didn’t know what else to do either.”

“You could’ve trusted him.”

“Holy shit,” Kallus yelled, jumping away and patting his racing heart.

Jonathan floated above them. The gentle flap of his wings, keeping him hovering just out of reach. “Hiya,” he said when he saw he had Kallus and Eirik’s attention.

Eirik growled at the intrusion. “What the fuck? How long have you been spying?”

“First off, this is my house,” Jonathan reminded him before softly landing next to them. “Secondly, I don’t have to spy. I already know everything. Third, I was trying something that literally has nothing to do with you. D, I don’t care enough to listen in on your conversation. And five, you’re not the boss of me.”

“Dear Odin,” Eirik said, shaking his head. “That made zero sense.”

“Well, now you know how you sounded blasting off that spying nonsense. Now what do you want?”

Eirik wanted to stamp his feet like a child. He’d never dealt with more infuriating people, and he was the prince of wolves. Those creatures knew how to get under the skin. He counted to ten inside his head. “Baptiste has disappeared. We’re trying to find him and were hoping you’d help.”

Jonathan’s golden gaze moved between them. “Why?”

“So we can work things out,” Eirik snapped, incapable of playing nice.

Jonathan shook his head. “That’s not what I meant. Why do you need my help?”

“This was the last place his energy appeared before he masked it again,” Kallus said, saving Eirik from snapping again. “Plus, Evan’s scent is all over this place.”

“Evan helped with patrols today,” Jonathan said, killing Eirik’s hope that Baptiste wasn’t alone. He didn’t need protection. Baptiste needed companionship. His soul needed the comfort of others. “But I should think, for you, he would be easy to find,” Jonathan said, restoring Eirik’s hope.

“So you know where he is, then?”

Jonathan immediately killed Eirik’s excitement. “No, but you do, if you think about it. You know him better than anyone. What do you know? Baptiste loved you both. He loved being in love with you. The man thrives on your memories and the idea of your union. My guess is, he’ll find someplace he feels close to you both while he works on learning to live without you.”

Before Eirik could respond, Kallus spoke up. “Why do you keep talking about Baptiste’s love like it’s a thing of the past?”

“Well,” Jonathan said, dragging out the word and glancing between them. “You left,” he said, pointing at Kallus. He poked his finger in Eirik’s direction, adding, “And you pretended to be dead. Is he supposed to love people forever even when they don’t stay? I swear, every immortal I’ve met would never make it as a human. Humans have short lives. They don’t have time for this type of bullshit. I applaud him for leaving. He gave you everything and mourned like a good husband should once you were gone, but three years have passed. The only people who blame him for moving on are the two of you, and neither of you deserve that privilege.” Jonathan took a step back and looked up. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m still trying something.” Jonathan’s feet lifted from the ground. His wings were silent and gave off no wind, surprising Eirik with their power. “Good luck finding Baptiste. I genuinely hope you find him and convince him to come back. It hurts me to think I’ll never see him again.” Without waiting for them to respond, Jonathan disappeared.