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I stepped past him, not bothering to ask what made them special. Just as I didn’t ask where he got them. Sometimes it was better not to know.
Unlike the lower portion of his building, this floor was pristine and dust-free. It had to be, because dust damaged computer systems, expensive electronics, and possibly whatever other black market items he happened to have, all of which were kept on this floor. Stane himself, however, could only be described as a mess, with unkempt brown hair, an ill-fitting blue sweater with holes in the elbows, and wrinkled jeans. But at least he was neither dusty nor dirty.
I glanced around the open living and kitchen area, hoping to see Tao. He wasn’t here, and his scent was little more than a hint in the air, suggesting he hadn’t been here for at least twenty-four hours. I frowned. “I thought Tao was staying with you.”
“He is,” Stane said, expression suddenly grim. “Or rather, he was.”
I swore softly. “When did he disappear?”
“Early yesterday morning.”
He hadn’t been sighted at the café in the last twenty-four hours, either—something I knew because I’d checked when I was there. I swore again and thrust a hand through my hair. “You tried tracing him?”
“Of course I have.” His voice was filled with anger, but I knew it wasn’t actually aimed at me. Rather, it was a result of frustration and worry. “There’s nothing. His phone is sitting in the spare bedroom, as is his wallet. And he hasn’t contacted any of his other friends.”
Meaning, more than likely, the fire elemental he’d consumed to save Ilianna had taken control of his body again. “How was he the last time you saw him?”
“Strung out. Fiery.” Stane shook his head. “I’ve seen him play with fire before. I mean, he’s pyrokinetic, so that’s not unusual in and of itself. But this time . . . it was bleeding from his skin, Risa. There was no way it was controlled.”
“Fuck,” I muttered.
“Yeah,” Stane said. “I tried to get him into an icy shower—I figured it couldn’t hurt—but he practically threw me across the room, then ran down the stairs. By the time I got up and went after him, he’d disappeared.”
And no doubt headed once more for the sacred site in Macedon, the place where the fire elemental within Tao had been created.
With the clock counting down on Hunter’s deadline, you haven’t the time to chase after him, Azriel warned softly. If the fire elemental is in control, then there might be no bringing him back this time. Nor will I allow you to endanger yourself again by touching him while the elemental holds sway. It might just kill you this time.
Which technically wasn’t a problem given that I’d just become a dark angel. But that wasn’t something I actually wanted; I wanted to live a full and happy life here on Earth first. Wanted to bring my child into this world, not the other.
But Azriel was right. I really couldn’t afford to lose any time, even if it was a matter of minutes.
Let’s just hope he comes back from this, I said. He has before.
By this time, the elemental will have reached Macedon’s sacred site. And given the fire that created it still burns within that place, its very closeness to it may provide the creature with enough strength to completely block Tao out.
I know. Believe me, I know.
He smiled grimly, adding, Then you should also remember that I can’t get into that site, so it’s not as if I can even check whether he is there or not.
“Damn it!” I plonked down on a chair and watched as Stane resumed his usual position on his captain’s chair in front of his computer bridge.
“Yeah,” Stane said. “Can you get into that site and check that he’s there?”
“Maybe.” I hadn’t actually tried since I’d become a dark angel in waiting. But given that the place had banned reapers and Aedh from entry, it might just ban me now that I had both their energies running through me. “Only problem is I haven’t got the time to find out right now. I have a deadline and people will die if I don’t meet it.”
“Tao might die if you don’t,” Stane replied, grim faced.
“Don’t you think I fucking know that?” I took a deep breath and tried to calm the anger and fear running through me. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have responded like that. But the thing is, Hunter’s given me a twenty-four-hour deadline, and if I don’t come through with the key, she’s going to start killing people. People like Ilianna and Tao and you.”
He blinked. “Why would the psycho want me dead?”
“For the same reason she wants the keys to hell—for control. In your case, control of me. Or rather, my actions.” I took a sip of the coffee, noting somewhat absently that it was indeed the good stuff. “I have a choice, Stane. Save Tao and risk everyone else, or simply try to save everyone the best way I can.”
“Hell of a choice,” he muttered.
“Yeah, tell me about it.” I paused. “I don’t suppose you
want to evacuate the immediate area and go hide somewhere, do you?”
