“Not yet, let’s get an answer first,” I insisted.
We were like bloodhounds on a trail, finding certain spots in town that the Arch Mage had stopped at. But as we walked, we didn’t find anything significant. He’d seemed to stop at every apartment complex, the residential houses, even the businesses. They were all just faint hints, likely placed on purpose.
“We should get back,” I sighed. “We can scent the cabin to be safe.”
“She isn’t going to sit back and let us handle this.” He sighed. “She’s as stubborn as Kane is. We might need a brood meeting, but how do we show them the scent we’re following?”
“We can’t,” I sighed. “And there are so many new people in town they’d never spot that scent if not familiar with it. We’re on our own.”
“Fuck,” Levi groaned. “You get to break it to the others. But we need to get these supplies, no matter what. Even if we hide out, we need to eat.”
I laughed. “You afraid of our mate, big guy?”
“She’s a scary dragon!” he said with a snort. “I’m not looking to have my dick burned off.”
“She’s not going to be angry. She’s going to be frustrated and worried,” I corrected. “And she’s going to refuse extra protection. But you aren’t wrong about the supplies.”
“The scent was strongest at the diner. Maybe we go there again and see if you can sense something? Then we get these supplies and head back?” Levi prompted. His muscles were tense, and I could practically feel his need to do something. “We might as well do one last sweep before we leave. We can update West when we get back.”
My gaze shifted to the sky, noting that snow was imminent. “We better hurry. I’m no dragon, and those clouds are promising something big.”
We moved back to the center of town, stopping right outside of the diner. It was busy inside, but a quick scan showed there wasn’t anyone out of place. I let my hand rest on the door, trying to see if I could gather anything, but it was too busy here, too convoluted by different energies and intentions.
“You going in?” an amused voice behind us asked. We turned to take in a middle-aged man. His long white hair was braided behind him, and the wrinkles next to his eyes showed he wasn’t afraid to smile.
“Sorry,” I said, stepping back to let him through. “We were just looking for someone.”
“Well, I’m the mayor.” He grinned and inclined his head. “Maybe I can help?”
“It’s just a faint scent that smelled like someone we used to work for. Not the trustworthy sort,” I offered with a frown. He nodded knowingly.
“I thought I felt a bit of negativity out here this morning. My specialty is detecting energy, and that shift caught my attention, but it hasn’t gotten any worse. I’ll keep an eye out for you boys, though,” he offered before ducking inside the diner.
“I see why West gets along with him. They’re both eccentric.” Levi snorted as he pulled his coat tighter around himself. “Now, let’s go before the fucking sky unleashes.”
“Something’s wrong,” I said quietly, almost to myself. A feeling of foreboding settled into my bones, churning my stomach and striking genuine fear through me. “I can’t tell what it is.'“
“Then let’s hurry,” he urged, already taking off for the grocery store. We made possibly the worst grocery haul of all time, sticking to pre-made sandwiches, chips, and snacks, anything to sustain us without needing a kitchen to cook. It took all of thirty minutes, with the both of us practically running like it was a gameshow race.
When we were finally heading back, that feeling got worse. It was so bad my teeth clenched painfully. Ineededto get back to our mate and the others. We parked and brought our stuff inside, loading up one of the sleds West kept on hand so we could take supplies to the cabin.
“What’s going on?” West’s voice was a welcome interruption, and I launched into our run-in with the scent, the talk with the mayor, and my feeling.
“We have to get out there to her,” I urged. West nodded, helping us pull the sled through.
“Someone call me when you get there and see she’s okay,” he ordered. “I’m warning the brood, then calling the mayor. We need a plan, but that’s not your concern. Keep my girl safe.”
“Always,” I vowed, pushing the door open. Levi lugged the sled with ease while I fought to walk through the nearly waist-high snow. It was falling so fast now it was impossible to see easily. I could barely function when we reached the cabin, my skin stinging painfully.
My eyes landed on Avi and Kane as we pushed open the door, but there was no sign of Farren, no heat scent. “Where is she? What’s going on?” They tensed at my panic since I wasn’t the one to ever lose my cool.
“She’s out flying,” Avi said through gritted teeth. “Zehra insisted it would help.”
“There was no convincing her otherwise,” Kane added, bringing in the bags of supplies so we could close the door.
“Something’s wrong. I can’t shake it. We have to find her,” I said, practically begging now.
“No,” Levi corrected. “Ihave to go. You guys won’t survive out there.”