Page 35

I knew these two would be of no use here. They both stand back, scanning the various books and trinkets lining the shelves from floor to ceiling. I can’t even answer the question as I watch the two of them demonstrate zero respect for Lydia’s privacy.

To no one’s amazement, Kai reaches for one of the books. I tilt my head, reading the words Butcher and Blackbird in bright pink letters as Kai plucks the book from the shelf, flipping it open.

Snapping out of my stupor, I growl, “Put that book back on the fucking shelf, Malakai.”

I almost wish he would disobey me so I could take this frustration out on someone. The promises I made to Riven will have to take the night off if they keep this up.

“Fine, geez,” Kai says, returning the book and backing away from the shelf with his hands raised in surrender. He leans against the wall, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Are you going to answer my question, then? Why do you think that Lydia is in danger?”

“I don’t know. She called me, and something was wrong. She screamed, and the line went quiet,” I blurt out, unsure why I’m even sharing that much with these two idiots.

“Oh, shit,” Kai says, his eyes wide in disbelief. “She really is missing.”

“That’s literally what I’ve been trying to tell you,” I say, frustrated.

“Damn,” Raithe chimes in, pulling our attention to him. His focus is still on Lydia’s fucking bookshelf. “I heard about this book. It’s all over my socials.”

I watch as Raithe pulls one of Lydia’s books off the shelf and starts flipping through the pages, reading for several seconds. His eyebrows raise, a devious grin pulling at the corner of his lips in response to whatever the fuck he must see on those pages. Did he not just watch Kai get his ass rammed for doing the same thing?

Kai, having learned nothing from the last thirty seconds either, walks over and snatches the book from Raithe’s hand. I stare up at Kai in disbelief as he starts reading the fucking thing.

“Oh, wow. This is steamy. Check it out, Cal,” Kai says, tossing the book to me.

Catching it midair, I drop it on the mattress beside me and stand. The urge to rip someone to shreds grows stronger, and I close my eyes to dampen the frustrating need. It’s useless, because the next thing I know, I have Raithe pinned against the wall by his throat. Despite having his windpipe crushed, he has the nerve to smirk at me.

“Come on, Cal, let him go. It was a joke.” I hear Kai’s voice from beside me, but I don’t turn to look at him.

Instead, pitch fucking black rage clouds my vision as I squeeze Raithe’s throat harder. My mind slips in and out as images of Kaila, Dorian, and Lydia flash before me. It startles me, and I release my grip. Raithe falls to the floor as I struggle with my sanity. Backing away, I glance over at Kai’s worried face before heading for the stairs and leaving the two of them up there alone. Raithe’s hoarse laughter echoes down the stairs, doing little to ease the insanity gnawing at my mind.

Once I’m downstairs, I frantically search the kitchen, sure that I’m missing something. There has to be a clue, something that will tell me where the fuck Lydia is. I need to know where she is. I need to know that she’s safe. I shouldn’t be this concerned, but the thought of something happening to her makes me want to burn the world down to make sure that it doesn’t. I pull open drawers and cabinets, pushing objects around in search of something, anything.

I hear Kai saying something to Raithe upstairs, but I’m unable to focus on the words as my mind continues to unravel. Walking over to the living room, I scan the space for anything even slightly amiss. When I find nothing, I mutter beneath my breath and head back out the door to look around outside. Raithe and Kai’s footsteps echo behind me, their voices carrying through the doorway as they draw closer.

“Knock it off, man,” Kai whispers to Raithe as they step out the door.

Raithe stands off to the side of the house, keeping a safe distance between us. I can practically feel his eyes glaring into the side of my damn skull.

“Alright, Cal,” Kai starts. “What’s the plan? What are we looking for?”

“I don’t fucking know,” I grumble. “Anything suspicious or out of place.”

“You mean like this?” Raithe says, holding up a sticky note that resembles the one Lydia had at the storage unit.

“Give me that,” I say, marching toward him to pluck the note from his hand and examine it myself. He pulls it back, smirking.

“Give me the fucking note, Raithe,” I growl. Kai sighs dramatically from beside me.

“Or what?” Raithe taunts, grinning maniacally.

Why the fuck is he trying to pick a fight with me right now, of all times?

“Raithe,” I snarl.

I don’t know what I plan to do when I reach him, all I know is that I need that fucking note. I will get that fucking note, even if I have to pry it from his cold, dead hand.

“Fine. Here, asshole,” Raithe says, thrusting the note my way. “I’m out of here. You guys can deal with this your fucking selves.” He turns, walking over to his bike.

“Come on, Raithe,” Kai calls after him. “Don’t be like this.”