Page 85 of Forbidden Forget-Me-Not

She laughed softly and nudged my arm.

The night progressed, and when the dancing started, Corey excused herself.

“Night check,” she said brightly. “I’ll be back.”

Kaylani and I were alone at the table. There was a hint of cherry topping at the corner of her mouth. I gently wiped it away, bringing my thumb to my lips.

Her breath hitched.

“Have I told you yet today that—” Kaylani was mid-sentence when Corey ran into the room. She was gasping for air, her face drained of color, as if she had seen a ghost.

Cold dread ran down my spine.

“What’s wrong,” I asked, already rising to my feet. My voice came out harsher than intended.

“Atlas—” She choked out as tears ran down her cheeks.

Coach Ehren crossed the room quickly. “What’s going on?”

“What is it?” I demanded. “Spit it out.”

Corey’s voice shook. “He’s gone. Atlas is gone.”

Silence.

I blinked once, looked at Kaylani, and then at Ehren.

The room didn’t stop. The music still played, glasses clinked, and laughter carried across the dance floor.

“No.” Kaylani shook her head. “That can’t be. Who was last at the stall?”

We were on the move, heading for the door.

Corey swallowed. “Me. I checked him. And I made sure the door was locked. I even put the extra chain on like always. I swear I did.”

Terror laced every word, obviously terrified that she was going to get blamed.

The stable lights were on, casting long white beams down the aisle. Atlas’s stall door was open. Empty. His halter was gone as well.

“Oh my god…no,” Kaylani said, staring into the stall and then around into the darkness. “Atlas,” she yelled. “Atlas,” she called again, panic had her voice wavering.

“I’m so sorry.” Corey sobbed behind us.

Kaylani grabbed a lead shank from the hook.

“I have to go find him.”

I caught her arm before she ran off.

“He didn’t escape. He was taken.”

Her eyes went wide, and she stopped breathing.

“No. That’s not possible. There is security everywhere.”

I nodded. “Think about it. Even if Corey had left the door unlocked, she wouldn’t have put his leather halter on him. And he certainly wouldn’t have done it himself. Where’s his stallion shank?”

Kaylani looked around.