Page 8

L achlan paced around the Greatdrakes library, where Cosimo, Valentine, Bas, and Bridget were all standing around a table.

Layla had called to say she had traced the van to a private airfield but was having trouble getting details of the plane. Sanguis Vitae were covering their tracks better than most.

Lachlan and Valentine had gone to the Greatdrakes manor to try a tracking spell. Lachlan hadn't slept and doubted he would be able to relax even if he tried.

"Please stop pacing, Lachlan. You are making me agitated, and I need to concentrate," Cosimo said, gathering a small tuft of Apollo's hair from one of the brushes arranged before him.

They had already ruled out Ireland and England. Lachlan hoped the plane had landed; otherwise, they would keep getting negative results.

Lachlan moved to stand beside Valentine. Bas was quietly whispering to Bridget, explaining the magic Cosimo was doing. It all sounded way too complicated to Lachlan, but Bridget seemed to understand and soak it all in like a sponge.

"We are going to run out of hair at this rate," Lachlan grumbled to Valentine.

"Apollo sheds like a German shepherd. There will always be more hair, trust me," he reassured him.

Lachlan shoved his hands into his pockets and tried to sit still. He hated waiting at the best of times, but not knowing where Apollo was? That was enough to drive him insane.

Cosimo was whispering under his breath, and he dropped the small tuft of hair. It floated over the map before landing on Paris.

"Paris is huge. Can we narrow it down further?" Lachlan asked. He pulled out his phone and texted the update to Layla. Maybe she would be better off tracking private airfields or something.

"There might be a variation of the spell we can do with more detailed maps of Paris, but I suggest you go home and sleep, Lachlan. You and Valentine can go to Paris tomorrow and continue the hunt from there," Cosimo said. He placed a hand on Lachlan's shoulder. "He's going to be okay."

"You don't know that."

Cosimo, who never met a sad person he didn't want to hug, pulled Lachlan into an embrace. "I know my son, Lachlan. By the time we find him, he will either be leading this occult order, or he will have burned it to the ground. No one blames you for him getting kidnapped."

Lachlan stepped out of the hug. " I blame myself for this. I won't be able to rest until he's home. I promise I will get him back."

"I know you will." Cosimo gave him a gentle push. "Now go home."

Valentine walked Lachlan back to his car. It was one of the Ironwood fleet vehicles because the other SUV was trashed.

"We will fly to Paris tomorrow morning, bright and early. I'll update you if we get a more accurate hit on his location," Valentine said. He grabbed Lachlan by the arm. "Don't think we aren't worried, Lachie. We are. We just can't let it distract us. They want Apollo alive. That gives us time."

Lachlan nodded but didn't say anything. What could he say? They already knew he was drowning in guilt and worry. Nothing would be right until Apollo was found.

The Ironwood estate was quiet when he got back.

It was nearly 11 p.m., but Lachlan was still too wired to sleep.

He grabbed one of his hunting duffles and started packing clothes and weapons.

Apollo's laundered clothes, including his ridiculous rainbow socks, also went in.

Lachlan swallowed the hard lump of emotion in his throat.

He had to find him and stop the Sanguis Vitae from ever coming after him again.

He reached into the bottom drawer of his bedside table and pulled out the box that held a present for Apollo.

After he gave Lachlan the Highlander sword, Lachlan searched for the perfect gift and finally found it. Now, he was never going to be able to give it to him. Lachlan put the box in the duffle bag.

No . He had to believe they would get him back and then he would give him his perfect present. Right before he tied him up and never let him out of the house again.

"Fuck," he groaned and rubbed his tired eyes. He needed to pull himself together.

Lachlan was reaching for his sword when his phone rang. Somehow, Ciara always knew when he was upset. "Hey, sis," he answered.

"Layla told me what's happening. She's looking at airfields now for you," Ciara said, and Lachlan heard Arne and Tor talking in the background. They must all be having dinner together.

"Sorry to mess with your night," Lachlan said, his fingers tightening on the beautiful sword that Apollo had given him.

"You want to talk about it?" Ciara pressed.

Lachlan sniffed. "Nothing to talk about. I failed. They took him."

"Lachie, stop." The noise went quiet, and Lachlan could almost see his sister stepping into the forest by her house. "I'm not around the others, so it's just me you're talking to. No bullshit, okay?"

"Don't use your big sister voice on me. I know I fucked up. I don't need the lecture."

"I'm not trying to lecture you. I'm trying to talk some sense into you before you do something dumb and get hurt," Ciara snapped. "I saw the CCTV footage. We all did. There's no way you could have prevented that crash from happening."

"I should have sat on him and stopped him from leaving. I ignored my instincts. I knew they wouldn't stop, and still I let him convince me to take him home."

Ciara growled in frustration, and it came out all wolf. "Have you met Apollo Greatdrakes, the object of your longing and desire? No one can stop him from doing what he wants. He could convince anyone of anything. Stop blaming yourself and focus. He needs you ready, not distracted by guilt."

Lachlan swore under his breath. "I know, Ciara. It's why I'm heading to Paris tonight. I need Layla to get me on the next flight. Any flight. I'll use the hotel in Paris we normally do. As soon as Layla finds something, I'll be close enough to get to him."

"You need to take Valentine with you. You're going up against magicians. Taking the scariest one with you is just smart, baby bro."

"Valentine can catch up. I don't know if taking another dragon near the Sanguis Vitae is going to be a good idea. If we fuck up, they will have two of them. It's better if I can do it alone," Lachlan argued and zipped up his bag.

Ciara let out a long sigh. "I know I can't convince you to wait, but I want you to promise me two things."

"And they are?" Lachlan asked.

"One—don't rush into a situation with your heart instead of your head," Ciara replied.

"I promise."

"And two—when you do get Apollo back? Tell him how you feel. Stop fucking about with him, Lachlan. He needs to know."

"He does know."

"You're just assuming he does. He knows you want to fuck him, but he doesn't know you love him. Tell him with actual words and eye contact."

Lachlan snorted. "So he can tell me to go fuck myself? If anything, he'll want me for a good time, not a long time."

"You don't know that," Ciara said, her voice softening. "You might be surprised by his reaction."

"Sure, sis. Me pouring my messy feelings out onto him is exactly what he will need after being fucking abducted," Lachlan replied and picked up his bag. "I gotta go. Tell Layla to send me the flight details."

"Stay safe," Ciara replied.

"Always do," Lachlan said and hung up. He slung his duffle over one shoulder and hurried down the hall to the staircase.

Outside, Kenna was smoking a cigarette in the alcove of the main doors to keep out of the rain.

"I thought you had quit that shit," Lachlan said.

Kenna blew out a mouthful of smoke. "I have. Some days, though, I just need one. You heading out?"

"Paris. Layla is finding me a location."

"Good. I don't like the idea of fuckers bold enough to snatch one of the family like this," Kenna said. She stubbed out her cigarette. "That boy is going to break your heart. You know that, right?"

"I do, and I don't care. I just need him alive to do it," Lachlan replied and stepped out into the rain.