Page 5 of Those That Are Lost

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She’s here.

The scent I’ve been craving hits my nostrils as we walk down the main street of this tiny town nestled in the mountains. It's not fresh but it's hers. The warmth of the earthy coffee like undertone and her unique richness seeps into my soul. I come to a complete standstill and shut my eyes to take in a full lungful.

“What is it?” Henry whispers beside me. I feel him look frantically around like we might be about to be attacked.

“I’ve found her,” I almost weep, feeling dizzy at the confirmation that she is alive. I was beginning to think I may never find her. We’ve been in the Northern Isles for a couple of weeks now and I was beginning to think my instincts might’ve been wrong.

I let my shadows loose, willing them to search for her. They shoot away from me into the moon lit night, down several of the nearby side streets in search.

“Can they sense her?” Henry asks as I wait for a response from my dark companions.

I ignore him and take tentative steps in all directions trying not to lose her scent. I can’t pick a route with certainty and as I don’t feel a pull in any direction from my shadows, I don’t think they’re going to succeed this time. Maybe she’s been here for a while, and her scent is faintly all over. Maybe she passed through a day or two ago and has already moved on. I’m already calculating the likely routes she’d take from this town to reach another one but there are not many options. Now that the winter is setting in, several of the mountain passes are already closed. Probability tells me she is likely to still be in this town, but I don’t want to hope. Hope seems like it might open the door to more pain.

“Look, there’s a tavern up there. Maybe we should check it out? Ask around?” Henry cuts through my thoughts as he lightly shoves my shoulder so I’m facing where he’s looking.

“But she could look like anyone, we can’t exactly walk in and give a description. I’d bet anything she will be using her glamour,” I respond.

“No, but we can ask if there’s been any newcomers.” I hear the exasperation in his voice. I’ve been avoiding talking to anyone at all. As much as I’m tracking Red, I know others will be tracking me.

“I can do it if you want to stay hidden,” Henry adds, already knowing what my objection would be.

“And if she is here, you’ll scare her,” I say. “There’s not as many supernaturals in these lands. Your scent might make her run before you can identify her.”

“Well, I’m not standing here freezing my bollocks off much longer, let’s both go. She’ll recognise you at least.” He strides off ahead of me. My feet stick in place as I inhale the faint trace of her once more before I jog after him.

We make it as far as the first set of bay windows on the frontage of the tavern before I grab Henry and force him tostop. Two humans exit the pub, bringing with them a waft of the warm heat from inside. I smell her. Strongly.

“I think she’s in there.” My heart pounds as I barely get the words out. My throat closes as I soak in her scent, far more potent this time. My fangs have descended too.

I’m too dumbstruck, my heart racing too hard as I fight the hope blooming in my chest. I don’t resist as Henry pulls me through the entrance because I can’t.

This might be it.

I might be about to walk back into Red’s life after four months.

I might puke.

I might cry.

I can’t do it.

Henry pulls us further in, away from the doorway. He shoves me into a little nook off to the right. I’m grateful for the low lighting so I can pull on my shadows once again, this time to hide us from view. The shadows darken the area we’re standing in so onlookers won’t be able to distinguish our features.

“Well?” Henry asks. He sounds excited.

“Well, what?” I croak.

“Is she here?” He’s practically bouncing. I feel like my chest might cave in.

I take a look around the bar, as much as we can see of it anyway from our hiding spot. It's cosy and inviting. The tables are practically all full with people of all ages, they’re drinking and laughing and enjoying their night. None of them are her.

Then I hear it.

“What can I get you tonight? The usual?”

They’re normal words, standard words you’d hear in a drinking establishment, but they're spoken in her voice. Thatbeautiful utterly captivating voice that I didn’t think I was going to hear again.