Page 15 of Speak No Evil
On that matter, we all agree. Even Chonk, unbothered by Vrahs’s roar, co-signs the sentiment with a prolongedmrrrrrrrrrrrow.
So the four of us, Chonk leading the way, climb out of the kitchen window and into the downpour.
VRAHS
Jade?Can you hear me?
I’ve tried making direct contact with Jade’s mind since we left the failing wards of the basilica. I’ve yet to be successful.
What’s more, I feel ridiculous, trudging through the mud, naked and soaked to the bone, while talking to myself in my own head.
But I’ll gladly be ridiculous if it means I can get to Jade before another wave of wild fear rips through me.
I’ve sensed nothing like it from her, or anyone, before.
She’s like a caged animal. Feral and terrified.
Imustsave her from whatever is making her feel those things.
Chonk, bedraggled and water-logged, and still leading the way, makes a pitiful mewl and heads in an unexpected direction.
The three of us pause, unwilling to follow the precocious cat down that particular alleyway.
The feline turns, stares at us one by one, and makes an awful screeching yowl.
It’s a hellish sound, but the meaning is clear.
“Alright, OK, we’re coming,” Thorne bemoans, and we follow the cat down the passage that marks the border between Blackwood and Laurel Cove.
It’s the only point between the two cities one can pass through without magic.
Ryker pulls the sopping shirt away from his chest and wrings it out. A futile action in this torrent. “Does the cat really think Jade would ever go to Laurel Cove?”
“She wouldn’t,” Thorne agrees, slowing his pace.
I grab both demons by the elbows and march onward, closing the distance between us and the cat. “You’re right. She wouldn’t. Notwillingly. And that’s exactly what I’m sensing from her.”
Her mind is fractured to me. Bits of memories and conversations float by, untethered by a narrative or train of thought. But the undercurrent of every thought, every memory, is unabated, primal fear.
“Someone took her back to Laurel Cove against her will. Likely to face punishment for leaving in the first place.”
Ryker stares at me, metallic gaze cold, unyielding. “How could you possibly know that?”
“I’m in her head. At least, partially.”
“And she’s communicating with you? She told you someone took her to Laurel Cove? We aren’t just following a fat orange cat to a neighboring supe city without the proper notice and formalities?” Thorne asks.
A low growl builds in my chest. “No. I’m not speaking with her directly. But I know that’s where she is. I can feel her nearness.”
Thorne and Ryker share a glance, and Chonk, perturbed by our dallying, yowls at us to move faster.
Ryker and Thorne disregard the feline’s scolding and stop, pulling me to a stop as well.
Thorne looks up at me, a disturbing amount of empathy shining in his gaze. “Brother, I know you feel strongly, but we cannot simply march into Laurel Cove, dicks out and swinging, and accuse them of kidnapping your mate.”
Ryker nods. “It’ll be a political nightmare. We need to go back and formulate a plan to handle this carefully.”
Chonk and I growl at the same time.