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And then . . . into the level of magic itself.
The energy buzzed, and I caught hold of the tail. I opened my eyes, now able to visibly see the strands surrounding the area. It was like watching electrical impulses running through a body, only what I was seeing was residue from those who walked along the streets, who flew through the air, from magic-born and those not born to the human world alike.
At the pump next to mine, I saw a trail of purple sparkles, and they led out of the lot and down the street. Something called to me and I sensed . . . Peyton. I'd picked up her energy signature.
I jumped back into Favonis, and cautiously eased out onto the street. It was hard to see through the strands of energy lining the sidewalks and road, but I did my best to keep my focus carefully divided so I didn't get in an accident or lose track of the tracers I knew had come from Peyton. And then, they turned into a driveway ahead. I eased Favonis down to speed and followed.
As the car jostled over a speed bump, I glanced at the signs posted on either side of the drive. SUNSET PARK. Great. A four-hundred-acre park complete with jogging trails through the woods and a bicycle path. Wild wood. Perfect place for Fae to hang out. Or the Indigo Court.
I parked in the lot and slowly stepped out of my car, scanning for anything that might tell me . . . Hello? A red Kia, compact, sitting on the far side of the lot. Dreading what I'd find, I broke into a run and sprinted across the lot, skidding to a halt just behind the car. A glance around and a listen on the wind told me nobody was near here--but the energy trails led right to the car and then abruptly cut off, as if they'd been dampened.
The driver's door was unlocked and so I opened it, peeking inside. Peyton's purse was on the passenger seat, but the keys were nowhere to be seen. I glanced around, but found nothing unusual. Her gym bag was in the back so she'd definitely been on her way to meet me. A receipt for the gas poked out of the cup holder.
Stepping back away from the car, I glanced around. A trail led off to the left, into the woods. A faint wisp of energy tapped me on the shoulder.
Did she go that way, Ulean?
I believe so--a faint residue of her aura remains. But she is nowhere near here, that I can tell you.
I shaded my eyes from the silvery overcast glare and looked around. There was no way I was going in those woods alone. Too dangerous. I could feel it creeping around me like tendrils from a vine. Just then, a glint of shine caught my eye and I squinted. Something was in the snow near the trailhead.
Cautiously, I jogged over to it.
Watch my back.
You've got it, but there's nothing near here now. Not even prying eyes. Just the energy residue.
I leaned over, still carefully keeping my eye on the woods--Ulean was right most of the time but I wasn't going to let down my guard--and snatched up a set of keys. With a sinking heart, I saw the symbol for Kia printed on the car key. Heading back to the lot, I tried it in the lock. Sure enough, these were Peyton's keys. The thought that I should call the police crossed my mind but I dismissed it. Not a good idea, considering how nonchalant they'd been with us.
Instead, I punched in Anadey's number. She answered immediately.
"Yes? Peyton?"
"Sorry, no. It's Cicely. Listen, I found Peyton's car, and I found her purse and keys. Her energy heads directly into the woods and then vanishes. Does she often visit Sunset Park?"
Anadey let out a strangled cough. "Yes, she goes there to run sometimes, though she used to go a lot more, before the shadow came over the town. Cicely, do you think . . . they have her?"
I didn't want to say yes but the words spilled out before I could stop them. "I think we can assume so." I glanced around, wondering what had drawn her here. "You want me to lock up her car and bring her purse and keys back so you can come get it?"
"Would you?" Her voice had fallen, and with it her hope. I could hear the fear hiding behind her words; it had hold of me, too. I scooped up Peyton's purse and locked the Kia, then slid back into Favonis. With one last look at the trailhead, I pulled out of the parking lot and headed back to Anadey's.
Chapter 9
I spent an hour at Anadey's, trying to reassure her and collecting another load of supplies from Marta's stash. I hadn't a clue how to go about setting up the business, but I'd figure it out. It was noon by the time I drove back to the Veil House and unloaded everything.
The house seemed terribly quiet. Rhiannon was at work, and Leo was still asleep. He slept through the mornings, waking up in the early afternoon to run errands for Geoffrey and the vamps and then prepare for whatever they wanted him to do at night.
I stood out on the front porch for a while, staring at the forest, wondering if Grieve was near, but my wolf was silent. It occurred to me that the Indigo Court seemed able to exist in the light, so there was another difference between them and their vampire ancestors.
Finally, not knowing what to do next, I headed back inside. I'd no sooner locked the door behind me when Bart came rushing over to me and rubbed against my leg. I leaned down and gathered the powder puff of a cat--he was huge and heavy--into my arms and snuggled my face in his fur.
"You be careful, okay? You tell my cousin's cats to be careful, too. There are beasties out there that eat little ones like you." As I set the now-squirming Maine Coon down, the doorbell rang. Cautiously, I pulled back the curtains.
The FedEx truck was out front and I opened the door, feeling myself relax just a hair. The driver handed me a flat envelope and held out the register for me to sign. Afterward, he tipped his hat and headed back to the truck without a word. Wondering if he was always that silent, I glanced at the packet.
It was addressed to me. I ripped it open while speed-dialing Rhia at work. "Package came for me. I'm opening it right now."
The shuffle of papers told me Rhiannon was at her desk. "Did you ever find Peyton?"
