"Special," he said. "Isn't that what every little mortal wants to be? Oh so very special. Except it's not nearly as wonderful as they think, because when you are special, you inspire avarice and fear. Everyone wants to control you. Use you. If they cannot, they will kill you, because if you are not theirs, you are dangerous. Right now, they circle, watching and waiting. You've seen the ravens. The owls and the hounds. Watching. Evaluating. Do you want to know why?"
"Yes."
"Then start asking questions, Eden Olivia. I've been sending some to you."
"You've been sending me body parts. You killed an innocent--"
"I did not kill Ciara Conway. I merely took advantage of her death to . . ." He smiled. "Stir the waters. Wake you up. Wake them up. You say Ciara Conway is innocent, and you are correct. Yet there is someone who was even more wronged in this: the girl waiting for you here. She's connected to Ciara and has suffered through that connection. Those responsible for her suffering surround you in Cainsville. Find the connection. Ask the questions. See what it has to do with you."
He turned and headed for the door.
"Hold on," I said. "I--"
"You'd best go find Miss Macy. I may have"--he grinned, all teeth--"moved her. I wouldn't suggest you leave until you find her. That would be very unfortunate for the poor girl. This place doesn't see many visitors."
He walked out. I ran after him, but when I got to the door, he'd vanished, just as he had that night at Ricky's apartment. I knew now that it hadn't been a trick of light and shadow.
As I retraced my steps, I called Ricky.
"He got past you," I said.
"Shit."
"Not your fault. It was some kind of trick. He's gone now, though, I think."
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. We just had a conversation. A very weird conversation. I'll get the girl and--"
I veered into the room where Macy said she'd be. It was empty.
"Damn it," I muttered. "She's not here. He said he moved her. Great."
"Hold on. I'll be right there."
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
After I gave Ricky directions, I searched the room. It didn't take much. The place was about fifteen feet square, with one exit, no windows, and no debris large enough to hide anyone. The walls were covered in graffiti, but it was only the usual "I was here" markers.
As I paced, I tried to call Gabriel to let him know what was going on, but I got a "customer unavailable" recording. I texted a very basic Everything's fine now. Call when you can.
"Hey," Ricky said softly behind me.
I silenced my phone.
"You okay?" he asked.
I nodded. "I just want to find her and get out of here."
He gave my hand a squeeze. I relaxed against his shoulder--a brief moment of rest before I looked around.
"It's hide-and-go-seek now," I said.
"Are you sure it's not a wild-goose chase?"
"No, but he suggested he's put her someplace where she can't escape. Meaning she'll be there until someone else finds her. Which isn't likely to happen soon enough."
"Shit." He exhaled. "We don't have much choice, then."