The Darkest Kiss (Riley Jenson Guardian 6)

He spun and walked into the living room. I staggered to the bathroom and hurriedly put on my clothes. The world spun again and I grabbed the corner of the shower to keep upright. When it eased, I found my shoes then ran out to the living room.

Quinn was on my phone. "There's no answer from Rhoan, either at the apartment or on his cell phone."

"He wasn't at home. He was at Liander's - " I stopped, and horror ran through me. Oh God, had something happened to Liander?

Please, don't let it be Liander.

I grabbed the phone from Quinn and quickly dialed Liander's number. There was no answer and the answering machine didn't come on. And he always - always - turned that on when he went out.

"We need to get to Liander's."

"I'll get my pants and my keys - "

"I'll drive - "

"You can't," he said, almost savagely, from the other room. Not anger at me, but anger for me. "Not when you're getting input from whatever it is Rhoan is going through. You'll be putting your life - and others - at risk."

Keys rattled as he grabbed them, and then he was beside me again, wearing pants and carrying a jacket, but no shirt. He cupped his hand under my elbow as we walked toward the elevator. As the doors swished closed, I rang the Directorate.

Sal answered. "What now, wolf girl?"

"I need Rhoan's location immediately."

"Hang on." Keys tapped in the background, and the computer beeped. "He's on the move, heading down Epson Road."

"What's the nearest cross street?"

"He's just turned into Bangalore Road."

Heading for Liander's house, not his workshop and loft. "Tell Jack something has happened to Liander. Tell him Rhoan might need restraining."

"Will do." She hesitated. "You heading there now?"

"Yes."

"Be careful, wolf girl."

"He's my pack-mate," I said, and hung up.

The elevator reached the parking area and the doors swung open. Quinn grabbed my arm again, and together we raced toward his Porsche.

"Where's Liander's place?" he said, spinning the back wheels as he took off fast.

"Kensington. Enter from Epson Road."

He nodded and the car's speed increased. Lights and buildings zipped by, but I didn't really see any of them. I was too busy worrying.

"Any idea what the problem is?" Quinn asked, after a few minutes.

"Maybe, but I'm hoping to God I'm wrong."

"Why?"

"Because we've got a serial killer on the loose, and Liander might just be one of his targets."

"Again, why?"

I glanced at him. His answers were short and sharp, his concentration on the road and the few cars that were on the road at this hour.