I hadn't protested when our shared pet loved her more. How could I? Every time I saw Sterling with Shadow, I understood that lavishing affection on the tiny kitten anchored her in her new life, gave her a way to love and be vulnerable without risk.
If Shadow got hurt, I'd be devastated. Sterling would be destroyed.
Turning to Len, I said, "Tyler is out, and you'll come with us. We're just going to check the rooms on this floor. She probably got stuck in a closet or bathroom when someone shut the door and didn't realize she was inside."
"Absolutely not," was Len's reply.
"Are you supposed to keep me prisoner in my room?"
"No," Len conceded, his dark eyes narrowed in irritation, "But I was told you were going to be reasonable, so I wouldn't have to keep you prisoner."
"I am being reasonable. We're not going to run around in the dark, we're just going to look for our kitten. She's too small to wander the house by herself." I grabbed a bottle of her favorite treats. "I'll shake this a few times and she'll come running."
"I already tried that," Sterling said.
Len huffed and strode ahead, checking the hall before he ushered us out and locked my door behind him.
"Where have you looked already?" Len asked Sterling, his eyes scanning the hallway.
"All the rooms in this hall except Parker's."
"Do you want to check the guest wing?" I asked, heading in that direction. "We should ask Griffen and Hope to check their room. And–"
We came around the corner where the family wing intersected with the main house. Planning on crossing the main house to the guest wing on the other side, I stopped. "Did you hear that?"
We all paused, ears straining. I caught it again; A faint meow. We stood at the base of the staircase that began in the lower level and continued up through the house, ending in the attic over the family wing.
"Aren't those stairs too big for Shadow?" I asked Sterling, looking at the wide staircase.
Sterling shook her head, eyes wide with worry. "She was jumping on and off my chair yesterday."
"What's up there?" Len asked.
"Just the attic," Sterling said, not waiting for permission to find her missing pet. I flipped on the light switch, and the dark length of stairs was suddenly less ominous. Despite the age of the house, the attics were in good shape, well lit and clean. Nothing to worry about.
With a glance behind us, Len jumped ahead, reaching out an arm to block Sterling. "Stay close, but let me go first."
We obeyed, letting Len lead the way, Shadow's meows growing louder with every step.
"She's up here," Sterling said, breaking into a jog as we rounded the landing. Len reached out to grab her arm, but she slipped away, desperate to find Shadow.
Len and I raced to catch up, hitting the attic at a run, Shadow's meows distinct now that we were on the same level. Sterling slapped the light switch as she ran, the first room of the attic filling with a golden glow. I skidded to a halt, listening. Over the sound of Sterling's footsteps, I caught Shadow's meows coming from deeper in the attic.
Even as I followed my sister, Len at my side, doubt crept in. It sounded like Shadow, but the night Nash had been electrocuted by the door, I'd been sure I heard Sterling in the hall. I'd been wrong.
I'd seen Tyler leave earlier, but what if Bryce was still helping him? After the incident with the wine glass, I'd been sure Bryce was angry at Tyler, but what if I was wrong?
It was too late for questions. Sterling disappeared deeper into the attic, and I followed, beginning to think we'd made a mistake. I caught the click of another switch and the next room filled with light. Here, Heartstone's attic spanned the width of the family wing and was divided into rooms, one leading to the next. The first had an open doorway, the second two rooms had doors that closed and locked, the third little more than a closet.
I spilled through the second door to see Sterling reaching for the third. It was open a few inches, Shadow's meow coming from inside.
"Sterling, wait!" I shouted. Len sprinted ahead, following Sterling into the dark room. I didn't hesitate, shoving the door wide, reaching for the light switch.
In the dark, a hand closed over mine, yanking me away from the switch. I lost my balance, tumbling to the floor, the sliver of light revealing a familiar face before the door slammed shut, trapping all of us inside.
ChapterThirty-Nine
PARKER
