Page 65 of The Tracker's Revenge

“THIS TRIP COULDN’Thave gone better if I had planned it,” I said to Jake as soon as we materialized back in Eric’s training room an hour later.

“I think you’re right. The Prince seems like a stand-up guy.”

“Yeah, he does. I’m not worried about—” I was interrupted by Eric storming into the room, his expression so troubled it immediately sent my heart into a full gallop.

Jake turned and, without missing a beat, read the same urgency in our friend’s face. “What’s the matter?”

Eric’s gaze went back and forth between us, lingering for a moment on me, then finally settling on Jake.

“For fuck’s sake, man!” Jake stepped forward, towering over Eric. “Tell us.”

“I got a call from Craig Blackridge,” Eric finally spoke, his timbre thick with emotion. “It’s your grandfather. He’s dead.”

Chapter 22

The air was suckedout of the room, leaving me breathless, and it seemed it was the same for Jake because his shoulders dropped an inch as he exhaled. I took a step forward, pressed a hand to his back, and glanced up at him, my heart constricting to half its size.

Jake, oh, Jake.

What was he feeling?

I couldn’t fathom exactly what this would do to him. I didn’t know how strong the bond with his grandfather had been, but the way the color drained from his face told me maybe it was deeper than I had suspected. The news was wrecking him, shredding him to pieces.

I wanted to wrap my arms around him, but I was afraid to move, afraid to do anything that might cause him to fall apart.

He opened his mouth as if he would say something, but nothing came out. I tried to guess what he wanted to say and turned to Eric.

“What happened?” I asked, my voice trembling. “Who did it? Why?” Not knowing exactly what Jake wanted to say, I clumsily tried to cover all possibilities.

Jake pulled away from me, taking a step toward the door. “I need to go.”

No.I didn’t want him to go anywhere, not like this, not in this emotional state. So I was grateful when Eric didn’t move out of the way and stayed at the threshold, feet planted firmly on the floor.

“You need to stay,” Eric said calmly. “I don’t think it would be smart to go anywhere right now.”

“I need to see him,” Jake said.