“But ... what if it’s not?” Luke’s fear was real and it barreled into me when I tried to send a calming salve of magic into his frazzled brain.

  “He’ll be fine,” I swore ... even though I had no business making that promise. “We’ll find him. Just think how much fun you’ll have lording it over him when you’re the hero of the day.”

  Luke didn’t look convinced. “You can’t know that.”

  “I feel it here.” I pulled his hand and pressed it to the spot over my heart. “He’s going to be okay.”

  “We need to find this Dante person,” Raven noted. “He might have answers. Right now we’re assuming the elemental was taken. Something else might’ve happened.”

  “We have to find Dante,” I agreed. “How many Dantes can there be in Cave City, Kentucky?”

  IT TURNED OUT THERE WERE FOUR. I was as surprised as anyone. We found the correct Dante on the third try and my blood immediately ran cold when I realized that the front door was gaping, hanging by one hinge.

  “Oh, no.” I hopped out of Kade’s truck before he pulled to a full stop and raced up the sidewalk.

  “Poet!”

  I felt his anger streaking behind me but didn’t care. I bolted through the door and pulled up short when I hit the living room.

  The house was a complete shambles. The coffee table had been overturned. There were long gashes in the couch cushions. There was blood on one of the walls. Oh, and there was a body in the middle of the floor.

  “Cole?” Luke’s voice was barely a whisper.

  When I glanced over my shoulder I realized he couldn’t possibly see the entirety of the room. From his angle it was likely all he saw were the shoes ... and they were off-brand.

  “I don’t think Cole wears shoes without a label,” I reminded him gently.

  “What?” Luke worked his jaw and then finally focused on the shoes. “Right. It’s not him.” He took two long steps and moved to my side, his breath coming out in a hiss when he realized who we were looking at. “Dante.”

  I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded, carefully picking my way around the body. The gregarious and yet broken man we’d met was no longer among the living. It seemed the vision that had set my teeth on edge the previous day had come to fruition much sooner than I’d expected.

  “Poet!” Kade hurried through the door, stopping when he realized I was kneeling next to Dante’s body. “Oh, man. Is he ... ?”

  I nodded, carefully moving my fingers to his eyes so I could close them. “He’s gone.”

  “Do you know how?”

  There were puncture wounds on Dante’s neck, as well as two fingers that looked dislocated. It was possible he had additional wounds beneath his clothing.

  “I’m pretty sure he was drained,” I replied, blowing out a breath. “His body is cold. This obviously happened last night.”

  “What about Cole?”

  “He’s not here.” I tilted my head toward the hallway. “We need to check the rest of the house, but I’m fairly certain they took him. He’s worth more to them alive than dead.” I gave Luke a reassuring smile. “I think he’s still okay.”

  “We don’t know that.” Luke was mournful. “He could already be dead.”

  “I’ll check the bedroom,” Kade volunteered, holding my gaze for a second and then disappearing.

  I took the opportunity to slide my arms around Luke’s neck, gracing him with a tight hug. I stroked my hand down his blond head. “We’ll get him back.’

  “You can’t promise that.” He choked on a sob. “He could already be gone, Poet. For all we know, they took him to the caves last night and killed him there. We might never even find his body.”

  I pulled back and fixed him with my best “I’m the boss and you have to do what I say” look. “You can’t think that. Don’t give up on him unless you have no other choice. As far as I’m concerned, he’s still alive ... and we’re going to find him.”

  “But ... .”

  “No.” I gave him a firm head shake. “He’s still alive. Have a little faith. I know he would if the situation was reversed.”

  Kade returned from the bedroom and gave me a small head shake. “Nobody back there.”

  That was good news. At least ... well ... I hoped it was good news. “That means they took him.”

  “How will we find out where?” Luke asked, surreptitiously swiping at an errant tear as it cascaded down his cheek. “I believe we’re going to save him ... if only because the alternative is too much to bear. But how are we going to find him?”

  “You’re dealing with some of the strongest spell casters in the business,” I reminded him. “We’ll put our heads together and come up with a plan.”

  I moved to stand and Kade caught me under the arm, taking some of my weight on him. It was as if he silently understood how heavy I was suddenly feeling.

  “What are we going to do about Dante?” he asked.

  “There’s nothing we can do. We’ll send an anonymous tip to the police when we leave so they can collect his body.”

  “That’s not what I meant. What if he rises after dark?”

  I hadn’t even considered that, though it made sense. “Right.” I swallowed hard and briefly pressed my eyes shut. “We’ll take him with us,” I said finally. “He might know where Cole is.”

  “Is that likely?”

  “No, but it’s worth a shot. I don’t want to risk killing him — well, again — before we’re absolutely sure he has no information to share.”

  “Don’t you think it’s going to look suspicious if we carry a dead body out of here?”

  “Not if we do a Weekend at Bernie’s,” Luke suggested, brightening a bit. “They won’t even notice.”

  Kade looked confused. “What’s a Weekend at Bernie’s?”

  Luke’s smile broadened. “You’re going to love it.”

  That was up for debate, but I didn’t see where we had many options. “Let’s do it before we draw too much attention. We need to get out of here before the cops show up. We’ll come up with a plan when we get back to the fairgrounds. We can’t afford to dally here.”

  Kade watched with a mixture of horror and curiosity as Luke slipped Dante’s arm around his shoulder and pulled him to a standing position. “I don’t understand what we’re doing.”

  “You’re better off not thinking about it and just doing it,” I offered. “Otherwise you’re going to have nightmares.”

  “Oh, well, that makes me feel better.”

  24

  Twenty-Four

  Luke was in no position to perform so I ordered him to help Nixie with research — something she didn’t look happy about — and started my day. As much as we needed to find Cole, we had other things to deal with, and that included our duties with the circus. The show must go on, after all.

  I was well into my third reading of the day, my mind only half on my work, when I noticed something bizarre about the woman sitting in front of me. Anna Williams had a shiny brochure in her head ... and it was one I recognized.

  “Why do you have Mammoth Caves in your head?” I asked.

  Anna was taken aback. “I ... .” She looked around, as if expecting someone she knew to pop out of the woodwork and admit to feeding me information. “How do you know that?” she asked finally.

  I kept my patience intact, but only because I thought Anna might be able to help me. “I’m a seer.” I tapped the side of my head and flashed a smile I didn’t feel. “It’s part of my job.”

  “Oh, right.” Anna said the words but didn’t look properly convinced. “Well ... I’m a tour guide for Mammoth Caves. Actually, I was a part of the public relations team but I always wanted to be a tour guide. They’re short right now so I volunteered. I was surprised when they picked me. I’d been turned down twice.”

  I tried to keep my frown in check. “You work for Mammoth Caves?” My mind was busy as I considered ways to use that to my advantage. “Well ... why is there an opening in the middle of the season like this?”

  “Oh, you know how it goes.” She offered up a breezy hand wave. “Some people just aren’t diligent workers. We’ve had twenty people quit in the last month alone. Some were barely trained.”

  “Do they quit or do they just stop showing up?”

  “They ... what does that matter?”

  “I’m just curious.” I couldn’t let this opening go, especially when I was trying to come up with a plan to help Cole ... and it was one that couldn’t wait. “There are a lot of rumors regarding the caves.”

  “There are?” She furrowed her brow. “Why would that be? I mean ... they’re just caves.”

  She was either being purposely obtuse or was absolutely clueless. Only one condition could be overcome at the present time. I could feel the claws of the clock digging into me, so I decided I could wait no longer.

  “Fine.” I heaved out a sigh. “Have it your way.”

  I slammed my mind magic inside her head and took control with one fluid move. Anna looked like a carp for a split second — moving her mouth as if gasping for breath — and then she stilled and stared straight ahead. There was no fight in her.

  “I don’t have time to play games,” I volunteered. “You’re probably a perfectly nice woman ... who is shallow and slow or something. Otherwise there’s no excuse for not knowing what’s going on around here. I don’t have time to cajole answers out of you.

  “You have to understand that people I care about are in trouble,” I continued. “One in particular ... well ... he doesn’t deserve this. To save him, I need you to answer some questions. Can you do that?”

  Anna dumbly nodded.

  “Great,” I drawled, exhaling heavily. “How many tour guides have gone missing this summer?”

  “More than forty,” she replied dully.

  “What are the higher-ups saying?”

  “That those in personnel aren’t doing a very good job filtering out the dregs.”

  “And they think this is somehow a Human Resources problem even after forty people have quit a highly-sought-after job?”

  Anna made a face. “What else would it be?”

  Oh, geez. Well, there was no sense standing on ceremony. “Maybe it’s the vampires infesting the caves. Have you considered that?”

  An absurd laugh bubbled up in Anna’s throat. “Vampires? That’s ... ludicrous.”

  “Not really. It’s pretty freaking likely if you ask me.”

  “But ... no.” Anna vehemently shook her head. “There’s no way. Vampires aren’t real.”

  “They’re real, and they’re killing this town. I don’t have time to ease you into this. You’re familiar with the cave system,” I tapped my finger against her forehead and ignored the way she flinched. “You can see it because you’ve memorized that brochure backward and forward. I need you to tell me if there’s a cavern that has been closed off to workers.”

  “I ... how did you know that?”

  I wanted to crow. I’d played a hunch, but she’d managed to reinforce it within seconds. “What’s the name of the cavern? And, since you’ve got that fancy map in your head, I need you to show it to me.”

  “But ... why? You can’t go back there.” Anna was fighting her condition. She was a rule follower and didn’t like the idea of anyone purposely going against the grain. “The cavern isn’t safe. The ceiling might cave in.”

  “That’s just the story you were told,” I reassured her. “I need to know where it’s located. I don’t want to push you to the point of pain but I will to get the information. It’s absolutely necessary.”

  “But ... .”

  “I’m sorry.” I meant it, but I couldn’t wait. I twisted as hard as I could, causing her to shake as she blubbered out the words I needed to hear. The map she conjured in her mind was clear. When I released her, she slumped in her chair. “Thank you for the information. You’re going to have a wonderful future, get everything you ever wanted and you’re going to have a magnificent day here.”

  Almost immediately, Anna perked up at my commanding words. “I’m going to have a magnificent day,” she droned.

  “Here are some vouchers for free games and food.” I pressed an envelope into her hand. “Welcome to Mystic Caravan Circus. We hope you enjoy your stay.”

  “ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THIS?”

  Kade didn’t bother hiding his nervous nature as we stood outside the entrance to Mammoth Caves and did our best to ignore the curious stares from tour guides as they passed.

  “I’m sure.” I was grim as I pulled my hair away from my face and tied it in a bun. I was wearing a glamour — that of a woman in her forties — and I’d changed the faces of my co-workers to those of children, so for all intents and purposes, I looked like a single mother with three brats in tow.

  “We don’t really have a choice,” Raven replied as she stared at her reflection in a compact. She didn’t look happy. “Why are you the mother and I’m the child? I’m older. I should be the mother.”

  “Oh, who cares?” Nellie complained. “We’re here. We should head in and get it over with instead of sitting out here and drawing even more attention.” He wore pants and a shirt for the first time in weeks — something that would’ve made me smile under different circumstances — and he was determined. “We got Dolph back. It’s time to get Luke’s baby doll back.”

  I shot him a quelling look. “That’s homophobic.”

  “Oh, it is not.” He made a face. “This is no time for you to be politically correct.”

  “I agree with both of you on this subject,” Raven drawled. “It was homophobic and now is not the time for sensitivity.” She turned her eyes to the opening. “If we’re going to go, it should be now. We need to make ourselves invisible. There’s no one around.”

  “If we’re making ourselves invisible, why do we look like children?” Kade challenged. He was having the most trouble dealing with his glamour. “Also, I don’t like that my girlfriend is now my mother. It’s like therapy waiting to happen.”

  The way he said it made me grin, which in turn lightened some of the dread that had been weighing me down. “I’m sorry. I won’t make you hold my hand or anything ... or dampen a napkin and wipe food from the corners of your mouth.”

  “Or change his diaper,” Raven added, smirking as Kade glared at her. “Oh, don’t look at me like that. We have to get our jollies where we can on this one.”

  “I don’t like it.” Kade was adamant. “I think it’s dangerous ... and I think we could die in here if we’re not careful. I don’t know about anyone else, but I don’t want to die.”

  “He’s definitely being a baby,” Nellie agreed. “Dude, suck it up.” He slapped Kade on the arm, hard enough to jolt him. “Cole needs us. We can’t abandon him.”

  Kade made a series of protesting sounds that would’ve been funny under different circumstances. “I’m not suggesting abandoning him. I’m trying to figure out why it’s just the four of us. Why don’t we have more backup?”

  “Because I guarantee the strigoi have allies watching the circus,” I replied. “We’re talking about people who have been infected and turned into spies, like Dolph. They’re there, watching all the action and reporting back. We had to leave Luke behind because he’s the one they’ll watch closest. He’s still there so the strigoi will think it’s a normal day for us. They won’t expect us to try to get Cole until after the circus closes.”

  “I expect them to drag Cole out to the fairgrounds this evening and use him as a weapon against us,” Raven said. “If that happens, we’ll have no choice but to sacrifice him. That doesn’t seem fair given everything he’s done for us, so I like Poet’s plan.”

  “So do I.” Nellie glanced around warily. “There’s no one here right now. Turn us invisible, Poet. Let’s get this over with.”

  I acquiesced, lifting my hands and watching as we all dissolved into nothing. It was a weird feeling, and I didn’t miss the way Kade growled and reached out to snag my hand.

  “I don’t want you to ever comment on this,” he muttered. “It’s not that I want my mommy or anything.”

  I had to bite back a smile. “Of course not.”

  “I just ... I don’t like not being able to see you.”

  “Right back at you.” I squeezed his hand. “It’s going to be okay. They’re not expecting us. This is the best plan.”

  “I get that.” He sounded sure of himself. “The thing is, why did you have to make us look like children before turning us invisible?”

  “I wanted to make sure that the spies weren’t suspicious when we left. That’s why we took Max’s truck instead of one of our vehicles.”

  “Yeah, I’m guessing he’s going to be hopping mad about that when he finds out,” Raven noted from behind me.

  “He’ll live.” I was careful as I picked my way to the left. “This is the way. It shouldn’t take us more than ten minutes to reach the cavern. I suggest keeping quiet for the duration of the walk.”

  “Fine with me,” Raven said. “The less I have to talk to you people, the better.”

  “You’re such a joy to be around,” Nellie drawled.

  Raven ignored him. “Let’s just find the elemental. It’s better if he can’t be used as a weapon against us, and Poet is right; this is our best shot of getting him back.”

  “That doesn’t explain why Luke isn’t here,” Nellie argued. “He’s going to be so mad about being left behind. I don’t blame him. Cole is his boyfriend. He should be part of the rescue team.”

  “He’ll be serving as caretaker for Cole when we get him out of here,” I countered. “On top of everything I already mentioned, Luke would’ve been a distraction ... for me. I can’t afford any distractions right now.”

  Kade squeezed my hand reassuringly. “It’s okay. We have faith in you. We’re in this together.”

  “Just for the record, I have faith in myself,” Raven said. “I guess that’s close enough.”

 

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