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“I have no idea,” Evander replies.

We’re all silent for a moment as we try to think about where she could be. There aren’t very many places where she could be. We’re stuck in the castle while we’re at the Choosing, and it’s not like she could go and see Sully or anything like that. She could go into the town, but it’s really quite late, and I don’t think that anything is going to be open at this time. Of course, this is a different realm, so I have no idea whether the same rules apply here as they do in the Earth Realm, and the more I think about it, the less confident I am that it is the case. There are a lot of nocturnal supernaturals around, and it would actually make more sense if the town stayed open all the time.

“Could she be in the town?” Griff asks, following my train of thought.

Before anyone can answer, River suddenly perks up. “If she left the castle, I should be able to follow her scent.”

“After this long? We don’t know how long she’s been gone for, and there are lots of other scents here that you aren’t used to,” Evander says.

“He’s right, you’ve got the best nose out of most supernaturals, but trails go cold and there’s only so long that they’re followable,” Reed reminds him. He knows all of this, but his panic is currently leading him.

“Her scent trail could have been mixed up by all sorts of creatures, or supernaturals crossing over the top of it, and even dragging it in those littlespikes that you explained to me when scent gets stuck on other people’s clothes temporarily and they take it with them for a short while before dies out,” I add.

“I know all of that.” River replies and then adds simply, “It’s Neith. I have to at least try. My magic is stronger than it has ever been, and there is a good chance that I may still be able to follow it.”

The guys and I share a look. It doesn’t matter if River’s magic is stronger, the short of it is that the scent trial will only last for a very short amount of time, and there is absolutely nothing that River can do to change that. But looking at the spark of hope in his eyes, I know that we have to let him try because it’s riding him hard, and he needs to do something before his grip on his kitsune breaks and all hell breaks loose.

“Alright, man, it’s worth a try,” Van nods, studying River closer and clearly coming to the same conclusion that I have.

Without saying another word, River turns on his heel and heads out of the room.

“Thank you, Castle,” I say before I follow the others. Neith has taught me the importance of making sure that you say thank you to sentient things.

Quickly catching up with the others, we move swiftly through the main lobby of the castle, and he heads straight for the giant doors that lead out into the gardens.

“Before you do anything,” Reed says quickly, “we need to check to see if the cameras are watching us. Remember that they can see us in the grounds of the castle.”

“I don’t care,” River replies.

“No, you may not,” Reed says firmly, “but Neith definitely will. So, you will wait for five seconds while we check if we’re currently being watched by hundreds of thousands of supernaturals.”

My eyebrows rise slightly, and I can’t help but smirk.

Looking suitably chastised, River nods and runs a hand through his already messy hair, “Shit, you’re right. Sorry, man.”

Reed grins, “No problem.”

Just like Reed told River, it only takes us a couple of moments to determine that we aren’t being watched.

“We aren’t being broadcast,” Reed confirms.

As soon as the words are out of Reed’s mouth, River drops all pretense. His eyes become his kitsunes, his teeth lengthen, and so do his claws, as he partially shifts. His magic builds around him, and I’m not the only one raising my eyebrows in shock at the rapid transformation and his power level. He lifts his nose to the air, and his eyes flash silver.

I have never seen his eyes do that before, and I am entirely unsure what to make of it.

“This way,” he says, his voice more of a growl than anything else, as he takes off through the castle gardens at a run.

Chapter Fourteen

Raiden

We follow with ease, and Griff asks, sounding understandably surprised, “You’ve found a scent trail?”

River nods, “Yes, in a way. It feels different than a normal scent trail, but it is definitely Neith. I would know her anywhere.”

I share another look with the others. It’s not just unlikely that he has found Neith’s scent trail and it’s still strong enough that we can follow it, it’s impossible.

The only reasonable explanation is that she didn’t leave as long ago as we were assuming. To be honest, it’s entirely possible that we just kept missing her, and that she left the castle only moments before we did, and that’s why the trail is fresh. The thing is, if that were the case, then Mabel would have seen her, or we would have at least caught a glimpse of her, and it still begs the question of why? Neith wouldn’t just go out for a stroll or into town withoutletting us know, not because we’re controlling and have to know where she is every second, but because it’s not safe here and she knows that as well as we do. She would also want to check on us after we did the trial.