Warrior (Relentless #4)(49)

“Nothing.” Erik scowled at the screen. “In fact, we’ve had a sudden increase in demon activity in Boston. Raoul asked for some backup, and I sent Andrew, Reese, and Carl to help since it’s so quiet here. They should be back on Monday.”

I nodded quietly. I didn’t like to reduce our numbers here, but the warriors had to go where the need was greater.

“We still have a few areas to search. You want to come with us?”

“Yes.” Chris was in New Hastings, and there wasn’t a lot for a warrior to do in Portland when we weren’t hunting.

My phone buzzed, and I looked at the name on the screen. “What’s up, Dax?”

“Hey, Nikolas. I’ve been working on that job you gave me, and I might have something for you.” Dax chuckled. “Your girl is pretty good at covering her tracks, but she’s no match for me.”

I pushed my chair back and stood as an unpleasant feeling settled in my gut. I’d done what I said I wouldn’t do, invaded Sara’s privacy. After her disappearing act on Wednesday, and her and Roland’s refusal to discuss where they’d been, I decided her safety was more important than whatever she was up to. So I’d asked Dax to dig around and see what he could come up with.

“What did you find?”

“I got what I could from her browsing history. Your orphan is a busy little bee.” He typed something on his keyboard. “You know, this would be a lot easier if we had physical access to –”

“No.” I drew the line at going into her home and searching her things.

“It’s your call. Lucky for you I am really good at my job.” He typed again. “She likes to visit certain message boards, the ones where people talk about paranormal sightings, stuff like that. Did you know Bigfoot was spotted wrestling an alligator in the Everglades last week? He must be on vacation.”

I laughed. “Is that all you have?”

“Patience, friend. I didn’t break into her accounts because you asked me not to, but based on her history, I can tell you she mainly follows threads about vampire activity. There is one in particular by a guy named Wulfman that she visits the most, and he seems to focus on Maine.”

“I’m not surprised she’s reading up on vampires after being attacked by one.” Sara had proven more than once she didn’t let fear rule her life. Instead of cowering, she was seeking answers.

“I agree, but her interest isn’t only in what’s been going on there for the last month. She’s spent considerable time searching for vampire activity in Portland ten years ago. Right around the time when –”

“– her father was killed,” I finished for him, a cold knot of suspicion forming in my stomach. “What did you find?”

He snorted. “I knew you’d ask that, so I dug around a bit more. She’s looked up all the news reports on the killing, and she’s done Google searches on Madeline and Daniel Grey. She’s also googled some random things in the last month like Ptellon blood, baktu, and red diamonds. Like I said, random stuff. But most of her searches have been about her father. Does that help?”

“Yes,” I said, though I prayed I was wrong and that Sara’s little escapades had nothing to do with her father.

“You want me to keep looking?”

“Hold off for now.” I’d already broken Sara’s trust by going behind her back this way. I needed to talk to her before I decided on my next course of action. And I’d have to be careful in broaching the subject with her. If she knew I was digging around like this, she’d pull away again.

“Will do. Let me know if you need anything else.”

As soon as I ended the call with Dax, I dialed Chris’s number. “How are things there?” I asked when he answered.

“Good. Sara and her friends are at a party at the lake. And before you start worrying, I’m looking at her right now.”

“What kind of party?” My first thought was of what had happened the last time Sara went to a party with her friends.

He chuckled. “Not what you think. It’s just a bunch of kids playing music and hanging out at a house on the lake. They’re not even drinking. I don’t see anything out of place.”

“You forget who we’re talking about,” I replied dryly.

It hadn’t escaped my notice that Sara only chose to sneak off when Chris was watching her. He was still kicking himself for the last one, so I knew he’d keep a closer eye on her this time. But if I’d learned anything about Sara, it was to never underestimate her ability to find trouble – or for trouble to find her.

Chris scoffed. “Trust me. I won’t forget.”

“Well, you’ll have backup today. I’ll be there in an hour or so.”

He grew serious. “Why? Is everything okay?”

“That I know of.” I told him what Dax had found and about my suspicions. “I need to talk to Sara.”

“I’ll text you the address, and we can switch out when you get here,” he said. “I hope you’re wrong about this.”

“So do I.”

Erik turned away from his monitor to peer at me when I hung up.

“What?” I asked.

“Just trying to figure you out.”

A laugh escaped me. “We’ve known each other for years, Erik. What is there to figure out?”