Warrior (Relentless #4)(159)

Tristan’s chuckle came out of the phone. “You’re on the mend, all right. Although, Chris told me he almost called for a healer.”

I swallowed some paste and scowled at the ceiling. “Chris is as fussy as an old nursemaid.”

“He was worried about you. We all were.”

“Thanks, but you can stop now.”

To prove my point, I sat up, stifling a groan as the movement pulled at my sore stomach muscles. Son of a bitch. I planted my feet on the floor and leaned back against the couch cushion, waiting for the gunna paste to do its job.

Tristan’s voice grew serious. “I don’t remember the last time you were injured this badly. You need to be more careful.”

“I’m always careful.”

“Not last night. You went in there distracted and nearly got killed.”

I started to argue, but he cut me off. “Chris told me what happened with the gulak. You should have taken more time to cool down from your rage before you went after the incubus.”

He was probably right, but I was glad I’d gone after Rhys when I had. If I’d waited until today, the human girls he’d been feeding off would have been dead. Two human lives were worth a few hours of pain. So was seeing that bastard’s lifeless eyes after I’d killed him.

If I’d been thinking clearly instead of being so focused on taking out the incubus, I would have noticed the booby traps he’d set up in his lair. I was carrying one of the girls through the living room when I heard a click and a whirring sound. It was sheer luck that the spear hit me and not the girl. A few inches higher and she would have been killed.

“Here’s something that might improve your mood. Nate and I talked to Sara this afternoon, and she sounded tired but good.”

“She’s okay?”

I sat up straighter, ignoring the pain in my stomach. She hadn’t called last night or today, and I’d been scared something had happened to her after she left Draegan’s. Or that she’d been hurt in the fight at his apartment. I’d gotten so used to her calling every night. Not hearing from her left me unsettled. That was the reason I’d been distracted when I got to the incubus’s place.

“She’s fine. She said she knew we’d be upset if she didn’t call today.”

I racked my brain, trying to remember the date. I’d lost track of the days since I left Westhorne. “What’s special about today?”

He let out a laugh. “Oh, my friend, you are a mess. How could you have forgotten Sara’s birthday?”

I stared hard at the far wall as I worked through the days in my head. “It’s her eighteenth birthday.”

Eighteen was a special age for us because it marked our transition into adulthood. It was also the age when most of us became warriors. Before the awful thing with Nate and the attack on Westhorne, I’d planned to take Sara to town for a special birthday dinner, just the two of us.

Regret pricked my chest. I’d be with her right now for her birthday if I hadn’t driven her away.

“You’re sure she’s okay?”

“Yes, from what I could hear. We tried to get her to tell us where she is, but she still won’t say.” He paused, and I heard him take a breath. “Have you heard about Orias?”

“What about him?”

“I just got word his place was attacked by vampires last night.”

My hand tightened on the phone. “Was it payback for Stefan Price?”

“They were asking about the girl who killed him. No one could tell them who she was so they destroyed the place and started killing. I heard Orias killed two vampires, but he couldn’t save his receptionist. She and two vrell demons were killed. Orias got away.”

I swore and got to my feet. “Paulina was the one who told us Sara might be in Los Angeles. If she told the vampires that, they could be on their way here. I have to find Sara before they do.”

“Jesus.” It took him a moment to continue. “I’ll call the San Diego team and have them head to LA to help with the search.”

“Good. Tell them to let me know when they get here. I’m headed out now to start looking again.”

“Are you well enough to go out?” he asked in a concerned voice.

“Yes. I’ve been in worse shape.” I’d been down long enough. It would take more than a little stomach pain to keep me in this safe house any longer.

“Be careful out there.”

“I will.”

I looked around the living room for my gear and keys, but they were nowhere in sight. I was sure I’d left them here last night before we went to Draegan’s.

The door to the control room opened, and Chris came out, holding his phone. He walked over and held it out to me.

I gave him a questioning look, but he said nothing. As soon as I took the phone from him, he left the room.

Scowling, I put the phone to my ear. “Hello?”

“Hi.”

My heart thudded.

“Sara,” I breathed, almost afraid I’d imagined her voice. In the next instant, alarm shot through me. “What’s wrong? Are you hurt? Did he hurt you?”

“Chris?” she asked, sounding confused.

“The gulak demon.” I clenched my free hand into a fist at the thought of Draegan or one of his cronies laying a hand on her.