Page 71 of Fire in My Blood

The woman has calmed down somewhat, her crying reduced to a few occasional sobs.

“I’m sorry we have to push you, Mina, but the faster we know everything that happened, the faster we can find your husband.” Lyn has a gentle smile on her face, but there’s a barely perceptible strain in her voice.

Letting her hands drop into her lap, Mina looks at Lyn with red-rimmed eyes. “I know. It’s okay. You said you’re looking for Erica. Does that mean you don’t know where she is, or if she’s okay?”

Before Lyn can answer, I speak. “She has gone to help David, but we don’t know where. The man who kidnapped him is the same one that attacked her. I’m Erica’s…fiancé. I won’t give up until I’ve found them both.”

Mina’s eyes widen in shock as she stares at me. “You’re her fiancé? I didn’t even know she had started dating again. Last time I talked to her she still didn’t seem ready.”

An image of Erica’s face in the throes of her orgasm drops into my mind, and I can’t help the soft smile that spreads across my face. “Well, we met sort of by accident and couldn’t stay away from each other.” At least until I ran off like a coward instead of trying to find out what she really felt about me.

I cut those thoughts short and focus on why I’m here. “Can you please describe the man restraining David?”

Mina nods and swallows. “He had black, shoulder-length hair, and his face was…evil. He was big and tall, about his height.” She waves her hand at Markus, still standing in the doorway.

While she’s talking, I pull up the image I received from Ron and stored on my phone. After walking over to Mina, I crouch before her and hand her my phone. “Is this the man who was here?”

Mina flinches, and her face grows even paler than it already was. “Yes,” she whispers. “That’s him.”

“Thank you.” I take the phone when she hands it back to me. “You said they. Can you please describe the other people who were here?”

“There was a man and a woman.”

“A woman?” I frown. For some reason I didn’t expect a woman to be involved. There were no women in the brotherhood last time, but then perhaps I’m wrong about the brotherhood being behind this.

Mina nods. “Yes, she was short and curvy with long blond hair. Beautiful if not for the evil that seemed to emanate from her. I think she’s the one who scared me the most.”

Mina draws in a shaky breath before she continues. “The man was about the same height as the guy holding David, but he had a slimmer build. He had long blond hair like the woman and was almost as beautiful, just in a masculine way. They could be brother and sister I suppose, except the man didn’t have the same evil aura.”

“Did you get a look at their vehicle?” Lyn asks.

Mina shakes her head. “No. Just as they were hauling David out the door, the children came downstairs. I didn’t want them to see what was going on, so I ushered them in here.”

She gives her children both a strained smile, but the two young ones don’t even notice. They’re staring at me with eyes as big and round as saucers.

Lyn nods and smiles. “Of course. I understand. Did they say anything to indicate where they were taking your husband?”

Letting out a deep sigh, Mina shakes her head. “No, they didn’t say anything. I just hope he’s okay.” She pins me with pleading eyes. “Please find him and bring him back to us. And Erica.”

“We will.” Lyn’s voice is firm. “Do you have anywhere you can go that they won’t think to look for you? I think it’d be best if you get out of here in case they come back for some reason.”

“Yes, I know somewhere we can go. It’s not linked to us in any way, and David will know where we’ve gone.”

“Good. Pack a few things and leave. Don’t linger.” Lyn gives Mina a stern look. “And turn off your cell phone.”

“Okay.” Mina nods.

I get up and walk out of the house with Markus following right behind me. Lyn emerges thirty seconds later.

We’re no closer to finding Erica, and I don’t know what to do next. My body feels numb when I get into the limo. There has to be a way to find her. If only I could think. But it’s like my mind is frozen with the same fear that has taken hold of the rest of my body. I’m an elemental with the ability to harness fire, more powerful than almost every other supernatural in the world, but I’m frozen in fear for my mate.

∞∞∞

Erica

The vampire glares at me. His arms are crossed over his chest, and a muscle in his jaw is throbbing with tension. He’s been standing like that for a while now, clearly frustrated with me, but he hasn’t done anything to hurt me or my brother.

He suddenly swings his gaze to my driver who’s still standing by the door. “Take him away.” He points at David. “Make sure he’s returned to his house safely and without injury. Take one of the blonds with you. They know where it is.”