Chapter 280: Teamwork
We were almost to the park when Galleytrot let out a yelp of surprise.
"Sassafras." He bounded off at full speed, leaving me to slide over the veil in pursuit, a desperate hope in my heart.
I caught up with him at the edge of town, near the site where Suzanne had been taken over by the Firblog magician, Cesard and his collection of occupiers. "You can feel him?"
"Smell him." Galleytrot snuffled the air noisily, anger in his tone. "He was close, Syd. He was here." The big dog snarled and spun. "This way!"
He was off again like a shot, covering ground so fast I had no choice but to use my demon magic to ride the veil. I ducked in and out for what seemed like forever, finally emerging in a rush, almost running into him as I flung myself from the edge, looking around for danger. A lake of shining water stretched out before us, sunlight sparkling from the calm surface.
"Nothing." Galleytrot howled, deep and long and full of fury, the ground under our feet shaking with the power of his displeasure, large ripples ruining the glass-like finish of the lake. "They taunt me. But I am older and wiser than they. And this game I will win." He turned again, this time with his nose to the ground, drawing great breaths of air, the grass rippling from the force of it.
"What's happening?" I reached for his tail, gave it a quick jerk to catch his attention. He spun on me with a snarl.
"I can feel him, Syd. Taste Sass in the air. But it's as if it's only enough of him to attract me."
"You think they are doing this on purpose." Right, the taunting comment. Well that sucked. And was just like the Dumont boys, treating the deadly serious like some kind of joke.
When I caught them they'd find out I didn't think it was very damned funny.
Three more times over the course of the next several hours I found myself chasing Galleytrot all over town, from edge to edge and back again as the brothers teased him with hints of my friend.
I finally called a halt to the pursuit around mid afternoon. "We're running ourselves ragged," I told the protesting and panting giant dog. "And I'm sick of knowing they're laughing at us."
He grumbled his agreement. "So now what?"
"The werewolves?" I knew right away it wasn't going to work from the look in his deep, dark eyes.
"They've been all over this town," he said. "Crossing and recrossing their trails. I'm sorry, Syd, but I can't track them. The scents are just too convoluted." He sounded defeated, shoulders sagging a little, head and tail drooping.
So much for older and wiser.
"Don't worry about it," I said, stroking his soft ears. "We'll just have to wait for Sunny after all."
Galleytrot nodded heavily as we turned for home.
I was surprised to find Liam sitting on the bench in my back yard when I arrived at the house. He waved at us while we crossed the thick green grass, the healthiest and most lush yard in the neighborhood thanks to all the earth magic sleeping beneath it. I flung myself onto the seat next to Liam as Galleytrot sank to the ground and groaned, dropping his head into his paws.
"I was wondering where you'd gone off to." Liam bent and scratched Galleytrot's ears even as he turned his head to meet my eyes. "Figured something big was up. Thought I'd offer my help, what little I have to give."
I leaned forward and hugged my friend on impulse, welcoming his arms around me as he hugged me back. I let my head fall on his shoulder as he sank back into the seat, cradling me against his side with one arm around my shoulders, the other hand holding mine.
"Thanks," I said, as close to tears as I'd been since the last time he supported me, now that I stopped to catch my breath and had a sympathetic shoulder to lean on. "That means a lot, Liam."
I filled him in on everything. He was angry, sad and cheered me on in all the right parts of the story. Truly the best friend ever.
Which made me flinch and sit up. I still had Alison to worry about. And Quaid.
Where the hell was Quaid when I needed him?
"Maybe the two of us can focus our magic." Liam gestured at Galleytrot then shrugged with a grimace. "Or there might be something in the archive that can help." He shook his head slowly, sunlight catching the red in his blond hair. "I kind of suck at this."
I grasped his hand and squeezed it. "You so don't. I'm really glad you're here."
He smiled slowly, green fire lighting the flecks in his hazel eyes. "We'll figure it out, Syd. We'll get Sassy back."
I slid my hand in my pocket, fingering the crystal, my heart aching. We had to.
We just had to.
I left Galleytrot and Liam discussing the possibilities, knowing there was little hope and not wanting to sit there and stew in front of them. Who knew? Maybe they would come up with something.
I peeked in the basement, but it was empty. A quick check upstairs found Mom sleeping next to Meira, curled around my sister while my slumbering sibling held Dad's hand. I snuck in some of my own energy, heard Dad groan and scrammed, not wanting to wake him.
Though it was more for my own protection than to keep from disturbing his rest.
I headed for my room and a change of clothes, planning a quick shower. My bed called to me, even the pair of consciousness inside me begging a few minutes rest. My demon yawned over and over, making me yawn, naturally, jaw cracking and eye watering yawns that then triggered Shaylee.
We were quite the bunch.
I gave in to the temptation, promising myself it was only for a moment, only long enough to perk up my energy.
***
What was that sound? I knew it, usually ran to greet it. Didn't I? I stifled a groan as I rolled over in the dark, the glow of my computer screen the only light in the room.
I jerked abruptly upright, cursing softly under my breath as I scrambled for the desk, eyes glued to the monitor.
Skype chimed again as I read the messages suddenly pouring out of the dancing pen.
On to me
Found me out
Escaped, but don't know for how long
Seen Sassy, I know where he is
Syd, I need you
I held my breath, sinking into my chair. I let myself believe for one moment longer it was Quaid on the other end of those messages, but I had a very good idea it wasn't the case.
A trap. I'd been lured by the Dumonts before, when they'd used my old friend Pain, now Mia, Quaid's sister, to draw me to where the werewolves waited to kill me. And I knew Celeste had been snooping around my computer, had practically caught her red handed. So my worries about Quaid were well founded.
There was one slim chance it was him, though. It could have been that he had escaped them after all and really needed my help. That chance died the moment the pen fell silent and the last message appeared.
Come now, but don't tell anyone where I am
They must have thought I was a total idiot.
Maybe I was.
I glanced at the clock on the screen. It was almost 10PM. I'd slept the rest of the afternoon and the whole evening away. From the silence in the house, I wasn't the only one.
Perfect. Mom just had to stay asleep a little longer. So her idiot daughter would have time to act.
OMG Quaid I'm so happy you're okay. Where?
The pen popped up immediately.
Hotel hurry
Of course. The Hilltop. Where the Dumonts stayed, wove their deceitful web over Wilding Springs only a few short months ago.
Okay then.
My fingers paused over the keys, fury weaving through anxiety.
I'm on my way.
***
