Page 47 of A Taste Of Truth

No response.

I look again, searching the outlying area as best I can and considering where the fuck she could be, until I eventually collapse on the ground because of the blood pouring out of my head. How much time has passed by? If she’s still out here naked, she’ll probably be dead, but the fact is that someone’s done this to my skull. That threat makes me push the button on my necklace because she hasn’t run this time, she’s been taken.

Scowling at that thought that someone’s dared touch me in my own fucking kingdom is almost enough for me to think about burning everything to the ground – me included, but until I get her back where she belongs that can’t happen.

There’s barely any light to see, and me shouting for her isn’t going to help keep her or me safe, so I walk silently, scanning for anything. There isn’t anything to see but cold night air, more snow that’s fallen, and the occasional call from night creatures.

Head tucked in against the wind, I eventually hear the sound of the motor-sleds coming from a way out. Lights starts streaming through the murky gloom, two sets aiming for me almost instantly, as they cut across the ground at speed. By the time they reach me one of them checks if I’m okay and then hands a coat and a sled over to me. No sign of her yet.

For once in my life, I’d like to know the fucking time.

Or what the time was when I lost her.

I don’t even know how long I was out cold on the ground, so getting a gage on how far away she could be by now isn’t helping me stay remotely calm.

Another hour sweeping all the outlying areas, chasing down every fucking area I can think of, and I head towards the lights blazing down from the castle perched high on the early, breaking horizon. I drop the coat the second I’m back into the warmth, striding straight for my office and discarding my shirt as I go. I don’t know what the fuck I think I’m going to achieve there, but I’m damn near insane with anger and irritation by the time I reach it.

Gray gets phoned instantly. He has no idea where she is. I’m not convinced by that last disclosure of apparent honesty, and I dial through to some of the more senior members here, as I wait for them both to join me in the office. Fuck knows who decided to play with me, but I’m not in the mood for it anymore.

By the time I’ve got enough of them to come up here and see me, Gray and Hannah walk in.

He looks at me, a deep frown etched in, as I sink a drink. “You lost her?”

“I didn’t fucking lose her, she was taken from me.” Hannah walks closer, looking at the gash on the back of my head. “And don’t even think about touching that,” I snarl, glaring at her.

“Malachi, it needs looking at,” she says, attempting to calm me down.

No it doesn’t. “Get out.”

“Be careful, Malachi.” Gray.

I glare at him too, distrust still heavy in my stare. “Who the fuck took her?”

“Why would anyone take her? Are you sure she didn’t just run?”

“She was running. I found her. And then this fucking happened.” I scowl and look at Hannah as she tries getting closer to me again, not remotely happy about anyone that close to me at the moment. “One more step and I’ll make you regret it.” She swallows and backs away, her small frame almost hiding behind Gray.

I’m about to make a grab for her anyway, or throttle her just so I can get this irritation out into something, when I hear the influx of feet walk into the room. Damien and Karl enter first, Lucien and his sidekick Joel Anders following. I scan each one of them, suspicious of every fucking thing. I’ve no reason to be, but something’s idling in my mind and the people in this room now are the only ones of enough importance to have tried annoying me. No one else would be stupid enough, or dare.

“Malachi?” Lucien says. I narrow my stare at him. Throw in Joel Anders and this could be exactly the type of fun they’d choose.

“Which one of you is playing?” I snarl, pacing.

None of them answer.

“Malachi,” Damien says. “Calm down. You need to calm down. What are you talking about?”

I step closer to both him and Lucian until they back up a step, remembering them up here in the house when I left Alice up here. Maybe they touched her, or were tempted to, and when they couldn’t have her entirely they chose to take her under duress. “My little Alice. Where is she?”

“Who?”

My head tilts, eyes focused on Lucien. “You?” He backs off a small step. “Are you sure, Lucien? I’m not fucking around.”

He shoves his hands in his pockets, keeps his chin up and in my face. “My games don’t involve you unless you instigate them. You know that.”

My gaze flies back to Damien.

His hands go up in surrender.