Page 44 of Blood

Talk to me, I whisper, reaching out to him with my voice.

He still doesn’t move, but his hands flex at his sides and another shudder shakes his back.

“Kole…” I pace toward him and skim my palm over his shoulder. “Talk to me. Last time you were here… bad things happened.” He doesn’t reply. “Zephyra. The vampire Thornfield talked about—”

“Don’t say her name.” Kole’s voice is tight and deep. It curls around my limbs and squeezes hard. He is in pain. But his walls are going up. I can feel them.

In a desperate attempt to keep him with me, I duck in front of him and cup his face in my hands. I stroke his beard, kiss his cheek, then his lips.

But he doesn’t lean into me.

Instead of dissolving into passion, the kiss is fleeting and cold.

“I need some time to think.” He turns and strides back toward the door. When he reaches it, he stops and – without looking at me – says, “I’ll be back.”

I wait for what feels like forever, but is only a few hours, before texting Tanner.

— How’s Mack? Kole went for a walk, but he’s not back. I’m worried.

Tanner replies almost instantly. Mack & Snow both sleeping. Did K say where he was going?

I sigh and tap the screen with my fingernails.

— No. Just said he needed some time to think. I pause, then send another message. His FHB use was bad last time he was here, right?

— Right.

— You don’t think?

— No. He wouldn’t… … … Get some sleep, Little Star. He’ll be back. Try not to worry.

— But if he’s not?

— If he’s not back by sunrise, I’ll go look for him. Promise.

I start to tap out another reply, then stop. Put the phone down and walk to the window. It is pitch dark outside. Just a few lights illuminating the street.

I glance at the time. Nearly midnight.

Fuck this.

I’m not waiting.

I grab my jacket and the room key, and head for the door.

* * *

The night air bites at my skin as I step outside alone. I wrap my arms around myself against the chill, eyes searching the dark streets for any sign of Kole. Anxiety wells up inside me as I reach out with my senses again and again, only to find nothing. No trace of him.

I start walking, my boots echoing hollowly on the pavement, only a few street-lamps pooling dim light along my path. I peer into shadowy alleyways as I pass, hoping to catch a glimpse of his tall, familiar frame. But he could be anywhere.

He knows this city. If he wants to hide, I won’t find him easily.

Worry starts to gnaw a vicious hole in my stomach. I should never have let him leave alone, not when this place holds such painful memories for him. Hell, if he’s gone looking for FHB… If being here brought back the hunger he’s done so well to fight back…

No. I can’t think like that. He has to be okay.

The night air grows colder, raising goosebumps on my skin as I wander farther from the hotel.