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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?"
"No. No, and they have her. The fucking Indigo Court has taken her."
The sound of silence, and then, "Hell. Does Anadey know?"
"I told her right before I came home. Hmm, I think there's an invitation in the package. Ivory paper, red rose wax seal on the back. Should I open it?"
"How else are you going to find out what it is?"
I slit the envelope with my switchblade and drew out a heavy parchment-style folded card. The front read You're Invited . . . and on the inside:
From the Crimson Court to Ms. CicelyWaters.
Please consider this a summons to a party this evening at 7:30 P.M. We also have a business proposition we would like to discuss. Your presence is required, and your friends may attend. Address: 12495 Ranchivo Drive. Dress: Formal.
Best, Regina Altos
Emissary to the Crimson Court.
Sweet heaven. Or hell. An invitation to a Crimson Court party was like receiving a summons from the Queen of England. In a way, it was a summons from a queen. The Vein Lords ruled over the Crimson Court.
"I think Geoffrey got our message." I read the invitation to her.
