Page 4 of Mason

"Because his phone is right near you."

"You're sure?"

"I know you didn't just question my abilities."

Instead of getting into it with Cipher, Hex disconnects the call and starts poking around through the debris.Now that I know we're handling this, no human authorities, I help him search.We find the phone buried under some dirt from one of the broken potted plants.

"Okay, not a robbery, then."Even when I suggested it, I knew it wasn't likely, but part of me hoped.

Hex picks up the phone and unlocks it.Another sign of how serious things are between him and Kory.Most people don't give out access to their phone to just anyone.

"He must have been writing.It's on silent."Hex scrolls through several screens, including text messages, while I look over his shoulder feeling conflicted.Part of me feels like I shouldn't be looking through Kory's private things.He doesn't know me.The other part of me knows if we're going to find him, we need as much information as we can get.

Chapter Four

Kory

Thesoundofsnoresfill the air around me as I stare out between the bars of the tiny cage Rudy and his two worthless sons have me trapped in.I thought I escaped this life years ago, but I should have known they'd find me sooner or later.My life is full of regrets, but the biggest one right now is not telling Hex about Rudy.No one knows about this part of my life, so even if Hex tries to find me, he won't know where to start.

Elmer snorts and stirs in the dilapidated recliner underneath the shelf the cage is sitting on, the movement wafting stale air around.I can't decide which is worse, the smell of sweat and stale beer, or the ripe chunk of cheese they left in the cage.Would it kill them to shower, or leave me some fruit?

Restless, trapped in my wild mouse form, I pace the small area I have available wondering what hair-brained scheme these clowns have cooked up this time.They fancy themselves master thieves, but they've been locked up too many times to count.I suppose I should feel lucky I've never been sent away with them.Although, that has less to do with them not giving me up, and more to do with how crazy they'll sound trying to explain to human cops how they use me in mouse form to get into places.

I know my mother did the best she could as a human raising me on her own, but her choice in men left much to be desired.Still, I can't blame her for not wanting to be alone, especially there at the end.I only wish she hadn't revealed the paranormal aspects of my life.

Rudy treated her well, which is why he was able to manipulate me so much.If I went to her, she'd never believe him capable of being the kind of person he is.Thank the gods they never got married.I'd never have been able to escape him and his brood if he'd gotten wind of any kind of inheritance.Not that it mattered in the end that my mother left me the cabin I ran to, because here I am in a cage, surrounded by filth and stench.

The muffled sound of a phone ringing stops my pacing and I peer between the bars trying to get a glimpse of Elmer's passcode as he unlocks his phone.Unfortunately, the angle isn't right.I don't get much from the conversation, either.It's brief and composed of short phrases, probably because they've already discussed the specifics before they nabbed me.Whatever they're cooking up sounds like it's a few short days away.

Elmer grunts and groans as he pulls himself out of the crater in the recliner.Once he's managed to stand, he scratches his belly.How attractive.Elmer looks up at me like he can sense my sarcasm, even though I know he's completely human and I know he can't.

"Thought you could get away, did ya?"he says, poking a large finger through the bars.I know I shouldn't, but I can't help myself.My teeth clamp down on his fleshy digit, hard.

"Fuck!I'm going to wring your neck, you little shit!"

"Leave him alone, Elmer.We need him for the job," Jimmy says from his recliner, trying not to laugh at his brother.

"Fucking animal probably has rabies," Elmer mutters, yanking his hand back after I let him go.

"You know from what we've learned, shifters don't carry diseases.Now, stop your bitching.I'm trying to nap," Rudy says before closing his eyes again.

Being a mouse, I'm more cute than ferocious, but I bare my teeth at Elmer when he looks at me again.He narrows his eyes in response, but doesn't say anything further.When he turns around and leave the room, I give an inward sigh of relief.I'm safe for now, but it's going to be a long few days until I figure out what they're up to.

Chapter Five

Hex

Istareatthelast picture I took of Kory and me on my phone."Where are you, Mouse?"

"I tracked the scent trail to a road.They must have had a car waiting.Who knows how long they've been watching him, but I'd bet at least two days based on the strength of their scent at various points of the property," Mason says, re-entering the cabin, pulling his pants off the back of the sofa to re-dress after his shift.

I turn away to give him privacy, even though he doesn't seem to care.I have yet to see his wolf form.We've been apart longer than we've been together over the years.

"I'm going to try locating Kory through our bond.Things shifted for us once you scented him.Maybe he and I have been together long enough the bond will guide me even though it's not official yet."

"Do you think it will work with only the two of us exchanging formal mating marks?"

"It's the only thing I've got right now, unless you've got a better idea."