“You need to rest —”
“I haven’t got the time, Azriel. Mirri’s life —”
“May well depend on you being strong enough to complete the task ahead.” His voice held an edge that was an odd mix of concern and frustration. “You run yourself into the ground, Risa, and that is not good for anyone.”
Not for the hunt, not for those you seek to save, and not for our son. The words echoed through me and made me smile. And yet a vague sense of irritation stirred. He wasn’t telling me what I didn’t already know.
Wasn’t saying what I really wanted to hear.
“I know, and I will rest, I promise, when Mirri is safe.”
“Then at least let us return to your apartment so you can get something to eat.”
“That I can do.” I wrapped my arms around his neck, then, as his arms came around my waist and drew me even closer, added, “Home please, James.”
“Another ridiculous Earth saying, given my name is hardly James,” he said, as his energy snapped us home in no time flat. As we reappeared in the stinking blackened ruins of the living room, he added, “Nor do I actually think I look like a James.”
I grinned. “Agreed. You need a name more befitting of your bright and sunny nature.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “I believe that is what you would term sarcasm.”
“I believe you could be right.”
My phone rang, the tone telling me it was Ilianna. The noise was sharp in the dark and smoky silence. Tao, I realized suddenly, wasn’t here.
Concern surged. I swung around, noting the front door was wide open as I dug the vid-phone out of my bag and hit the Answer button.
“Is everything okay?” I said, the minute Ilianna’s image appeared on the screen. “Is Mirri okay?”
“For the moment, yes.” Her voice was calm but worry had etched fine lines around her eyes. “Both Mom and Kiandra are currently studying all the different threads of magic woven into the energy collar, in the hope it will give them some idea how to dismantle it.”
It was a long shot, but right now, I guess it was the only one we had. “Tell them to be careful, because it’s Aedh magic they’re dealing with.”
“They know, trust me.” She hesitated. “Have you got any idea where Tao is? I’ve been trying to contact him, as we need some fresh clothes. We’re going to stay here for the next day or so.”
I frowned. “He hasn’t called you?”
“Not recently, no.” Meaning he’d disappeared not long after Hunter’s phone call to me. I scrubbed a hand across my eyes and tried to ignore the growing sense of loss. Tao wasn’t lost, not yet, no matter what my inner voice might be saying.
I said, “As to where he is, I don’t know. He was supposed to be home keeping an eye on the place, but the door is wide open and he’s gone.”
“Nor is he in the near vicinity,” Azriel said.
Damn, this is all we needed. Not that it was Tao’s fault. He was trying his best not to succumb to the elemental, but the desperation in his eyes haunted me. He was losing the battle, and he knew it. “Have you tried the café?”
“Of course. And I rang Stane, but he’s not there.”
“God,” I muttered. “I hope the fucking elemental hasn’t gotten hold of him again.”
“How was he when you last saw him?” Ilianna said.
“Jittery.” Scared.
But wherever Tao was, whatever he was doing, I just had to pray he was in control rather than the thing inside of him. Because as much as it tore at me, he couldn’t be my priority. That honor belonged to finding the keys and saving Mirri. “I’m sure Stane will keep an eye out for him.”
“He is,” she said. “He’s aware of the elemental problem, Ris. Tao must have mentioned it.”
He might be aware, but he was as helpless as the rest of us.