Darkness Unmasked (Dark Angels 5)

“Yes, but—”

“No buts. I told you, it’s the easiest way ever invented to uncover where your buddies might be hiding, and it doesn’t even require GPS.” He swung around, swiped one of the screens across to Google, and logged in. A map of Melbourne appeared, dotted with arrowed face pics. He leaned forward a little, studying all the names, then grinned.

“Here you go,” he said, enlarging the screen. “She’s at South Bank.”

Which wasn’t that enlightening given how big the place was. Although, if I remembered right, Carwyn had booked a table at Harvest Time—did this mean she was headed there? That she was okay, despite being incommunicado? “Where in South Bank?”

He frowned, zoomed the screen in a little more, then said, “According to this, she’s at Wilson’s Parking, just off Freshwater Place.” He glanced up at me. “It’s the riverside quay area, if you don’t know it.”

“I don’t, but we’ll find it.” I jumped up and dropped a kiss on his unshaven and definitely scratchy cheek. “Thank you.”

“No probs. Just give me some warning next time you decide to drop by.” He gave Azriel another dubious look. “Despite what your friend here says, my heart really can’t take surprises like that.”

I grinned. “I’ll send some more champers to make up for it.”

He snorted. “I haven’t got the last lot yet.”

“You will.”

“And I’ll need it if you keep popping into existence willy-nilly. Now, go find Ilianna so I can get back to my gaming.”

“Done.”

I stepped into Azriel’s arms and he whisked us out of there. We reappeared on the center strip that divided the two lanes of Freshwater Place, the eight-story parking garage in front of us and the remaining wall of an old brick warehouse behind us. Several cars zoomed past, briefly spotlighting us before sweeping on.

I grabbed Azriel’s hand and ran across the road. “Can you sense her?” I asked, as we headed into the garage via the exit lane.

“No.” His fingers squeezed mine lightly. “But that does not mean she is not here.”

Didn’t mean she was, either. I ignored the fear that rose with the thought and hurried on. The garage had eight levels, and we found Ilianna’s car on the seventh.

She wasn’t in it.

I swore vehemently and punched the roof of her Jeep hard enough to actually dent it.

“There are security cameras dotted around this place,” Azriel commented. “I would suggest you avoid such outbursts unless you wish company.”

I flexed my fingers, somehow managed to control the somewhat insane desire to continue to take my frustration out on Ilianna’s car, and peered in through the windows instead. And there, sitting on the front seat, were not only her phone, but her purse and coat as well.

Ilianna might have left her phone behind if it had gone dead, but she sure as hell wouldn’t have left her purse.

Something had happened to her.

“Damn it!” I all but exploded. “What the hell is going on?”

“I don’t know—”

“Neither do I,” I cut in, voice bitter. I leaned back against the car and closed my eyes. “This day has just gone from bad to fucking worse. Maybe we should just quit while we’re ahead.”

“A sentiment I would agree with, except for the fact that Hunter, at the very least, would not be pleased by such an event.”

As if on cue, my phone rang. And the tone told me it was Hunter.

“The bitch obviously has her phone linked to my thoughts,” I muttered, but nevertheless dug it out of my pocket and hit the ANSWER button. “No, I haven’t found her yet. I haven’t found anyone fucking yet.”

Amusement touched her lips, though it did little to lift the shadows from her bright eyes. “I take it the day has not been a good one for you.”

“No. Ilianna has gone missing.” I paused. “I don’t suppose you’d know anything about that, would you?”