Page 55 of Knot Cursed

“You’re not dismissing this one,” I protested as I stepped closer to Rook, breathing in his scent to calm my frantic heartbeat. “She would never leave without her things. Her phone is still in there on the charger.”

“Forced entry in the back,” someone called out from inside and I lost it then, sobbing hard enough the others had to catch me.

While I was having solo time with Rook, someone had taken my bestie. I had never felt so scared in my entire life.

“Dorian?” Rook asked, looking at him. He put his nose to the ground then trotted past the guards as he did his own investigation. I clung to Merrick as we waited for the verdict.

When Dorian came back and shifted, he frowned. “It smells just like her. Someone forced their way in but the absence of scent is the same as it was at our place.”

“So, they’re connected?” Merrick questioned, taken aback. “How does that make any sense?”

The guards phones started buzzing before a robotic voice came through. “Available units to Moonlit Park. There’s been an attack.”

They didn’t pay attention to us as most of the guards rushed off. I was moving before anyone could stop me, heading for the park. Horror washed over me as I saw the same old man on the ground.

He was alive, thank the gods, but could barely form words. What the hell was happening in this town?

My men stood behind me and just their presence alone helped calm me enough to think.

"Woah, that's the man that the mirror showed us," Rook said as he realized what was happening.

“He’s alive, which means we saw a future event. We might still have time,” Merrick said as gently as possible. But how could you really reassure someone that saw their best friend be attacked?

Dorian pulled me into his side. "We will find her and the bastard that took her."

I gave a gentle nod, but my heart was still heavy.

"Well, we aren't going to get any help here. Let's consult the mirror and see if we can get some more details to where Blake is," Rook offered, guiding the group away from the park.

That was a good idea. Even if I didn't want to see Blake hurt again. I would do it for her. Always. I would do anything for the person who became my family when I truly needed it.

"We need to head to my cabin in the woods. I have a scrying crystal and map there. I want to try and see if I have any luck," I piped in.

“Cabin?” Dorian asked, confused. I glanced around to make sure no one was listening before answering him.

“Not all of my cursed objects and antiques are shipped in. Sometimes, I have to sneak out. The cabin was standing before this cursed town and I sort of… took it over. It’s where I started my experiments and planned my excursions beyond the town’s borders.”

Dorian chuckled. “Of course. I should have known.”

"I like seeing you lean into your witchy side. There’s a new light in your eyes," Merrick said with a soft smile.

He wasn't wrong. I even felt more connected to my powers. I was so worried about being cursed and finding a cure, that I never let myself enjoy my true nature.

"Divide and conquer? Dorian and I can grab the mirror and meet you at the cabin?" Rook asked.

Dorian growled at the idea of leaving me without an alpha. I think that was his new favorite phrase.

"Easy there, we need to cover more ground and I’ll need your nose as a guide. The mirror doesn't tell us when the events are. Besides, that nose of yours may come in handy if Prue does find a location. She can call us," Rook tried to convince his brother.

"Let's make sure that he is okay first. Rook, can you use your pull to get info on his care?" I asked. "I'll feel better once I see him loaded into the ambulance."

Just as the words left my lips the vehicle pulled up with the lights and sirens on at full blast.

"That was spooky," Dorian commented.

"I have that effect on people," I smirked with a shrug.

As soon as the gentleman was on the stretcher, I gave the go ahead for us to move.