My father’s head drops and he stares at his hands, at the mug in his hands. “I’m sorry, Calla. I’m sorry that you think I’ve checked out. I haven’t. I love you, and I love Finn.”
My heart softens at the sight of his broken expression. “I know,” I tell him softly. “I’m sorry I’m so angry. I’m just… Finn. I’m worried about Finn.”
“I know,” he tells me. “We’ll figure it out. I promise.”
“Do you know where he is?” I ask as I head toward the stairs.
“No.”
I don’t turn back around, I just leap up the stairs. Finn’s not there. Not in his bedroom or mine or on the top floor at all. I go back downstairs and search every room, even the Visitation rooms. He’s simply not here.
As I stand in the kitchen, trying to figure out where he might’ve gone, my attention is drawn to a pad of paper lying on the counter.
One word is scrawled over and over.
NOCTE.
And with that, I know where I have to go.
32
TRIGENTA DUO
I clatter down the porch steps, just in time to see Dare emerging from his cottage.
Like always, he’s dressed in slim dark jeans and a snug t-shirt. He’s heading for his bike and he looks like he’s going to continue on his way, until he notices my face. His eyes narrow as he sees my state of distress. He immediately changes course and heads for me.
“What’s wrong?” he asks in concern, his hand reaching for mine.
I pull away. “Oh, now you’re worried about that?” I can’t help but ask. The emotions of the day are threatening to overwhelm me.
He shakes his head. “Don’t do that. I’ve already explained. Everything is just complicated.”
I swallow hard. “Finn’s gone. I can’t find him. I think he went to Nocte.”
Dare nods toward his bike without hesitation. “Then let’s go.”
We pull on helmets and are on the road within a minute. My arms wrap around his waist like they belong there, and I suddenly realize that they do. My arms belong wrapped around this man, no matter what. No matter what secrets he might have, or what might be going on with me.
When I’m upset, he calms me. When I’m breathless, he gives me air. When I’m sad, he buoys me. That’s all that matters, right?
I decide that soon, I’ll sit down and tell him all of these things.
But not right now. Because right now, I have to find Finn.
We pull right up outside the hole in the fence and then we duck through it.
I take off at a run through the park, headed straight for the old house of horrors. Dare runs with me, easily keeping pace.
“There isn’t a car here,” he points out to me as we jog. Our wet shoes squeak on the midway.
I know his point is logical, but I know in my heart that Finn is here.
I know like a sister knows, like a twin.
I don’t deviate from my path, and within a couple of minutes, I’m standing on the porch of Nocte, bent over to catch my breath.
Dare runs his hand up and down my back, relaxing my muscles as my lungs fill with air. He’s my air. I give him a grateful look, then push forward, through the door and into the abandoned house.