Page 29 of Awakened Light

“Yes,” I answered.

Thorne flashed out of the room and returned holding a map of Edinburgh. He pushed the other map off the table and handed me the earring. Once again, I performed my spell, and when I finished, we all stared at the earring sitting on the lower left of the map.

“So, she’s on that block?” Aiden asked, and I nodded.

“Yes. That’s in New Town.”

“Then we go to Edinburgh, and we hunt her down,” Lothaire growled.

“But what building?” Aiden said. “We don’t know how many of them are guarding her or on lookout, and if we have to go building to building, we’ll be seen before we can get her out safely. We need a better plan.”

They started to argue amongst themselves, each tossing out different plans only to be deterred by another argument. As their voices rose with the panic palpable inside them, I lifted my hand and stepped forward.

“Since you don’t know what building she’s in, or what they have for forces, what if I go with you? They won’t recognize me as one of you, so I can get close and use my magic to find out exactly where she is.”

“It’s too dangerous,” Thorne said quickly. “You should stay here where it’s safe.”

“Let’s just hear her out.” Lothaire gestured for me to continue.

“When I’m close, I can perform a spell that will guide me right to the building she’s in and tell me exactly where she is inside of it. Then you will know right where to go.”

“Cat.” Thorne slid his hand onto my shoulder. “She’s in a big city, and you’ve never even been to a small one. I can’t just have you wandering by yourself down the streets, especially into an area with dangerous vampires. They aren’t like us. These are the monsters you’ve learned about. It’s just not safe.”

“I came here to help.” I stood up tall, remembering who I had been raised to be.

A warrior. A leader. Fearless.

“I can do this.”

Worry filled Thorne’s eyes as he stared into mine. “If you do this, then you need to do exactly as I say, and if anything, anything, feels off, you need to say so. I’ll be nearby listening and watching you, and I’ll get to you in seconds.”

“Are you really sure you want to do this?” Aiden asked. “I appreciate the offer, but Thorne is right. It could be dangerous, and a city is a lot to process if you’ve never even been off your island.”

My heart stuttered, but I willed it to stop. “You’ll show me what I need to know about the city, and I will find her.”

They all exchanged a look and then turned to Thorne for his final decision.

With a heavy sigh, he looked at me. “Okay. But you have to stay safe.”

His concern for me warmed me from the inside out, but I knew I could help him find his friend. Even though I felt fear deep down in the pit of my gut, knowing I could help Thorne helped me squash it down.

I lifted my chin high and looked across the family staring intently at me. “Then it’s settled. We go to this Edinburgh.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

Thorne

“SHE’S READY!” MARK called from the top of the stairs, then flashed down to the foyer where we all waited. His palpable excitement had him looking ready to jump up and down at any moment.

“What the hell did you do to her?” I arched a brow.

When we’d decided last night to take Catrain to the city with us, Mark was the first to point out that she couldn’t exactly blend in wearing her leather clothes and war paint. A makeover had been in order, and he’d jumped at the chance.

Now he prepared to unveil her big transformation. I couldn’t wait to see her again... or what she looked like in modern clothes. Since I couldn’t be out in the daylight, I hadn’t seen her since she went to bed last night. Aiden and Emilia had entertained her all day, and though I appreciated them keeping her safe and occupied, I hated to miss a minute of seeing Catrain explore this world.

Tonight, when I’d emerged from my room, Mark had already rushed off to get her ready for our expedition. Even though it’d only been an hour since I’d awakened, it was another hour I’d missed spending with her.

Now the anticipation of seeing her again had me as excited as Mark... though I held my enthusiasm on the inside.