Seared

by Bethany Adams

  Ralan wanted to slam his fist into the wall. He wanted to bellow in rage. But how could he add to the fear that flowed from Cora in a steady stream? He speared his fingers into his hair and tugged, the bite of pain grounding him. He couldn’t. There had to be some solution.

  He’d already decided to send Delbin to the carnival to gather information. Would that be quick enough to help with the search for Maddy? Ralan closed his eyes and scanned the strands leading from the decision. Delbin working a ride. A man approaching. Then the vision blurred before cutting off in yet another dead end.

  “What is it?” Cora asked.

  Ralan’s eyes snapped open. “I had a plan, but I can’t see the outcome.”

  Frowning, Cora nibbled on her lower lip. After a moment, she shrugged. “Maybe that’s a good thing. If you can’t see futures involving you and your brother, then you should follow the blank spots.”

  The idea was so obvious Ralan almost groaned, but such a plan would still be dangerous. He wouldn’t be able to avert danger once his Sight became too obscured. He’d be going in blind in a way he never had, not when he needed to do something that truly mattered. In his time on Earth, he had relied on telepathy and the contacts he’d made among humans and fae, and that had been enough. It wouldn’t be now.

  Wait. Contacts.

  Ralan rounded the bed and lifted his bag from the floor. As Cora stared, eyebrow raised, he dug inside until his fingers connected with smooth glass. His phone. But once he pulled it out, he discovered a new problem. He might have decided to include it in his packing at the last minute, but he hadn’t remembered the charger.

  “I need to find a store.”

  She jerked to her feet, anger darkening her expression. “Now? You’re kidding me.”

  “Hold on.” Ralan held up the phone. “I know people, Cora. They may not be able to help, but it’s worth checking. Unfortunately, my phone is dead.”

  Cora frowned. “And?”

  “I can’t remember their phone numbers.” He shrugged sheepishly. “I need to find a store or go back to my estate in New York for the charger. A shopping trip seems more efficient.”

  “Let me see it,” she huffed.

  Wordlessly, Ralan handed her the phone and waited while she examined it. “I’ve got one like this at home. But I guess a store would be just as fast.”

  He had the urge to argue that point. He’d love to see her home, to learn more about her in such an intimate space. But speed was important, and he would not delay the search for Maddy to satisfy his own curiosity. He’d like to have plenty of time with Cora if they were ever alone in her home. His body heated, and he forced his mind to other things before she realized the direction his thoughts had taken.

  “Let me check and see if Delbin’s back from dinner,” Ralan said.

  Ralan sent his senses out, nudging against the shield Delbin had wrapped around his room. He gave a mental pluck, a twinge that would alert Delbin to his presence, and waited. A moment later, a knock sounded on the door joining their rooms. Sensing his student, Ralan hurried to open the door.

  Delbin rubbed his fingers against his temples and glared. “You could’ve used the room phone, you know.”

  “This was faster.” Ralan grinned. “Besides, you should’ve embedded a communication line in the shield.”

  “Guess so,” Delbin grumbled.

  Ralan’s humor faded as he prepared to discuss the latest events. “Where’s Inona?”

  “Here,” she called as she stepped out of the bathroom.

  “Something has happened,” Ralan said. “I need you both in here.”

  “What’s wrong?” Delbin asked as he followed Ralan across the threshold.

  But Ralan waited until Inona had joined them before he gestured at Cora. “Maddy, her shop assistant, was kidnapped by Patrick and his friend.”

  “Fuck,” Delbin spat.

  Ralan nodded. “Basically. I’ve tried to search the strands without luck. We’re going to have to find her the standard way.”

  Frowning, Inona slipped her arm through Delbin’s. “Why did they take her? I thought Patrick was trying to get Cora’s help to find Kien. What does your friend have to do with it?”

  “Because she’s a healer,” Cora answered. “They said they’d figure out another way to find Kien. They want Maddy in case he’s hurt.”

  Delbin glanced between them. “So what’s the plan?”

  “You rejoin the carnival,” Ralan said. “Inona can work with you. In one strand, you are approached there. I’m not sure why or who, but it wasn’t Patrick or Victor. I believe that strand will lead us closer to Kien.”

  “You believe?” Delbin asked, eyebrows raised.

  Ralan’s jaw clenched. “We can’t rely on my Sight. It is at best a suggestion these days.”

  Thankfully, Delbin didn’t give him a hard time. “I know Grunge held a spot for me. I’m sure he’ll let Inona help out, too. What else?”

  “I have to get a charger for my phone. Then I’ll call some of my contacts.” A new thought occurred to him. “Cora, what about you? Delbin said you’re well-liked among the local fae. Don’t you have contacts?”

  Her face flushed. “Yes. I should’ve thought, but I…the only thing I could think about was getting to you. Crazy since we just met.”

  Despite the situation, Ralan’s heart warmed. She must feel the potential bond between them, though she might not know what it meant. “Not crazy, but I hope the effort wasn’t wasted. Know that I’ll do what I can to help your friend. Anything for you.”

  Ralan held Cora’s gaze as heat flashed between them. If they were alone…

  Delbin cleared his throat. “So. Hand me your phone.”

  “My phone?” Ralan blinked at his student, but he passed it over. “Why?”

  “Watch and learn, Master,” Delbin answered with a grin.

  Phone in his left hand, Delbin closed his eyes and lifted his right. Energy trickled into his palm, heating the air around them. Then he lowered his hand to the phone and pushed the energy slowly through. Ralan’s mouth fell open as Delbin held down the power button and the phone’s screen flared to life.

  “How in the hell?”

  Delbin’s grin widened. “You should’ve hung out with more misfits. We know lots of tricks like that.”

  Beside him, Cora muttered, “I didn’t know that one.”

  “Magic is just another form of energy.” Delbin shrugged. “Find the right frequency and you can power things that require electricity. Don’t practice on your phone, though. It’s easy to fry stuff.”

  Ralan shook his head in disbelief. His student had lived on Earth a quarter of the time Ralan had, yet he seemed to know a great many more tricks. “I suppose it pays to arrive here near the technological age.”

  “Don’t feel bad,” Delbin said, humor lacing his tone. “I bet you could beat me at a horse and carriage race.”

  For once, Ralan didn’t have a ready rejoinder.

  Inona tugged at Delbin’s arm. “Pester each other later. We have work to do.”

  “I agree.” Cora shoved her hand into her purse and pulled out her own phone. “Starting now. I’ll begin by contacting Maddy’s father.”

  “I’ll call us a ride to the carnival,” Delbin said as his smirk faded.

  Ralan rubbed his hand across the back of his neck. “Fine. Good. Think your telepathy can reach me across the city?”

  Delbin shrugged again. “It should. I’ll give you my phone number just in case.”

  In a matter of moments, Delbin and Inona had departed, and Cora stood over to the side speaking softly into her phone. Ralan forced down a surge of frustration as he searched through his contact list. Dammit, he should’ve been able to solve this years ago. Kien should already be captured or dead.

  Now, Ralan could barely even See him.

  Kien slumped against a tree trunk and stared at the gap in the ridge that held the portal. Only a few more steps and he could regain his energy at the gate. Onc
e he’d worked his way free from beneath the house, he’d discovered the reason for his slow recovery. When the Moranaian couple had captured him, they’d thrown him into the truck bed without thought. The impact had cracked the crystal that kept the energy poisoning from affecting him.

  Sickened by his own damned spell.

  He’d come too far, too close to stopping Ralan, to quit now. He’d worked with the half-bloods and that fool Sidhe Naomh, trying to poison the energy fields on Earth. Not only would the poison have killed Ralan’s daughter, but the half-bloods had been willing to help Kien break the enchantment keeping him from returning to Moranaia.

  Now his initial spell lay in tatters—but it could be rebuilt.

  Scowling, Kien shoved away from the tree. It would all be worth it. As soon as he regained his energy, he’d put his newest plan in place. This time, he wouldn’t use a subtle poison that took years. But he would need Fen.

  No matter how much he longed to torture the little half-Unseelie traitor until the whelp burned himself into dust.

  Chapter 10

  Ralan dropped onto the side of the bed and held back a groan of frustration. His contact, Thom, had been unable to help. The older elf had lived on Earth for several hundred years, but his base of operations was firmly in the northeast. He’d said he would see what he could do, but Ralan didn’t hold out much hope.

  “How can two fae just…disappear?” Cora asked as she sank down beside him.

  Ralan’s brows lowered. “Assassins were causing trouble for a friend not long ago. They had cloaks that hid them. But Patrick was dressed in human clothes.”

  “Maybe they found another way.”

  “How long has this been going on, Cora?” Ralan shifted to face her. “As soon as the energy poisoning began, I spent most of my time trying to keep my daughter alive. I’ve since learned that many of the Sidhe realms have been affected. With such an underground of fae, why hasn’t anything been done?”

  She let out a long sigh. “I don’t know. It hasn’t been that bad here until a couple of months ago. I’ve heard whispers, but no one has been able to track down the source. Then several days ago, something happened. The bad energy fractured and started to heal. Everyone I’ve spoken to is confused. Frightened.”

  Ralan settled his hand over hers. She froze, but she didn’t pull away. “Did it cause you trouble?”

  “No.” Cora hesitated, then turned her hand over and laced her fingers with his. “I don’t draw in energy the same way. Maybe someday I’ll tell you the difference. If I get to know you better.”

  “I certainly hope I get to know you better.” His lips curved slowly upward. “Very well, in fact.”

  He heard her breath hitch. “How can I feel so close to you in a day?”

  Ralan ran his fingertips down her cheek. “Perhaps we’re meant for each other.”

  “Hah,” Cora said, though she smiled softly. “A romantic thought, but I don’t think I’m meant for anyone. Trust me.”

  His fingers stilled, and a frown creased his brow at the sadness that entered her eyes. What had put that belief into her head? Some past rejection? Cora was kind, talented, and beautiful. It would take a special kind of fool to reject her. Well, it could be his gain.

  Ralan leaned closer. Their breaths mingled, lips so close he could almost taste her, and she didn’t push him away. “May I?”

  “I—”

  Ping.

  They both jumped at the sharp noise from Cora’s phone. She let out a breathless laugh and looked down. Then her amusement cut off. “Anna.”

  Ralan shoved down his disappointment and forced himself to lean back. “One of your contacts?”

  “Maddy’s girlfriend,” Cora whispered. She stared at the phone for a moment, her expression pained. “She texted me to see if Maddy had worked late because she isn’t home yet. I don’t know what to tell her.”

  “Go ahead and call,” Ralan said gently.

  “I…” Cora stared at him for a moment. Then she shook her head. “Never mind. I’ll do that now.”

  As Ralan headed into the bathroom, he considered Cora’s conflicted expression. Had she been upset that he’d almost kissed her? Gods, he hoped not. The timing might be awful, but he had every intention of trying again. Maybe more than kissing, though he’d have to confess to his impending death first.

  He wouldn’t add to the pain he’d seen in her eyes if he could help it.

  By the time Ralan brushed the snarls from his hair and returned to the bedroom, Cora had finished. She huddled in the overstuffed chair, looking bleak. He longed to gather her close, to offer comfort. But most of all, he longed to fix the problem.

  “Let’s head into town,” he said.

  Her gaze flicked to his. “Did you have a vision?”

  “No, but I have other talents.” He stepped closer. “If I have to scan every mind in Chattanooga for a clue, I will.”

  Her small smile was tinged with sadness. “Her father is scanning for her energy signature through their blood connection. Maybe between all of us, we’ll find her soon.”

  Blood. He could use the vial of his brother’s, but if Patrick and Victor hadn’t yet tracked down Kien, the blood wouldn’t lead to Maddy. Though it would take time to use telepathy on so many, it was the surer bet right now.

  And it was one thing he knew he could do.

  “Yo, Delbin, been on vacation?” Rick called from his tent near Grunge’s trailer.

  “Nope,” Delbin answered. “Family emergency.”

  Rick winced, and regret pinched his face. “Damn, I’m sorry. I hope everything’s okay. I wouldn’t have given you grief if I’d known.”

  “It’s fine. Everything is better at home now.” True enough, except that Delbin had no real home. But the other man was human. No way Delbin could explain the complexity of his situation. “Don’t worry about it.”

  “If you say so.” Rick eyed Inona. “Hey, that your sister?”

  Delbin settled his hand against Inona’s lower back. “Nope.”

  Though he let out a dramatic groan, Rick’s smile seemed genuine. “Can’t blame a guy for hoping.”

  “If he messes things up, I’ll let you know,” Inona said, poking Delbin in the side.

  Rick’s laughter followed them to the door of the trailer. Delbin paused, eyebrow raised, and caught Inona’s eye. “Getting tired of me already?”

  “No.” But she grinned. “Maybe your humor is wearing off on me.”

  “That’s not the only thing I’d like to—”

  The door creaked open, and Grunge poked his head out. “Get in here and stop flirting on my doorstep, would you?”

  Delbin chuckled and motioned for Inona to precede him. Once he’d followed, Grunge shut the door behind them. Delbin joined Inona beside the small bench seat across from the tiny kitchen counter. The travel trailer was old school, the amount of standing room almost non-existent, but he didn’t sit down. No way he would offend the Sidhe if he could help it.

  Not that Grunge looked like one of the Sidhe. His glamour was a strong one, and until recently, Delbin had never seen him as anything but an older human male with scraggly, gray hair. Only after Inona’s arrival had Grunge let him glimpse the elegant male beneath the lie.

  “Guessing you didn’t catch the elf responsible for that bad energy,” the fae said without preamble. “Unless you’re here to say your goodbyes.”

  Delbin winced. “You got it the first time. Are you still holding a job for me?”

  “Reckon so.” Grunge leaned his shoulder against the doorframe. “I could find some work for your girlfriend if need be.”

  “Yes, please,” Inona said.

  “There’s only one condition,” the Sidhe said. “You tell me what the hell is going on.”

  Night was falling and most of the shops had closed by the time Cora and Ralan made their way down the street. Cora’s hands curled into fists as they passed one more Closed sign a block away from her store. How were they supposed to gather
clues when everyone was gone? But Ralan looked as calm as ever. Was he even scanning minds?

  His fingers, warm and firm, wrapped around her wrist as he halted. His eyes found hers as he uncurled her hand and lifted it to his lips. “The server in the restaurant just ahead saw Patrick. We’re going the right way.”

  Cora frowned over at the restaurant two stores away. “You can read people at such a distance?”

  “If they’re human,” he answered with a shrug. “It’s a rare human who knows how to shield themselves from such things.”

  She grimaced at that. Though telepathy wasn’t her strongest talent, even she had been bombarded by the humans’ thoughts when she’d first arrived. “It must drive you insane at your strength.”

  “I was well-trained in my gift,” he answered. “I imagine Delbin had it far worse when he was sent here.”

  “The prince and the exile,” Cora said with a shake of her head. “How did that come about?”

  “That’s a long story. Perhaps I’ll tell you when we get to know each other better.”

  She laughed at the echo of her earlier words and returned his sly grin. “Touché.”

  Cora didn’t protest when he took her hand in his and resumed their walk down the street. Now that they were touching, she could feel the energy humming through him, making her fingers tingle with the force of it. But she didn’t let go. She couldn’t say why, but just touching Ralan brought her a sense of comfort she’d never quite experienced before.

  Still, nothing could ease the sick feeling slithering through her, filling her with anxious tension tinged with guilt. How could she smile and flirt when her friend was in such danger? Cora pulled her hand from Ralan’s. She needed to keep their task in mind.

  Ralan gave her a questioning look. “Cora?”

  She blew out a breath. “My mind keeps circling back to what Maddy must be going through.”

  “She’s a healer,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to mess with her.”

  Cora knew he meant to reassure her, but his words did nothing to lessen her anxiety. “She barely has any control over her gift.”