I stopped pacing to stare at my phone, willing it to ring. Surprise, surprise, the damn thing actually did, jolting me so badly I jumped, before I quickly got a hold of myself, answering, “Ezra?”
“I’m alright,” he stated instantly. Okay, I sounded a little breathless. “Sweetheart, why don’t you lie down and take a nap. You barely got any sleep last night worrying about this, and more than likely, you’ve been pacing back and forth all morning.”
Instant. “I haven’t.” I had stopped pacing a few moments ago. “Besides, I’m worried.”
“I know. Over nothing. All I’m doing is driving through a damn forest.” A pause. “And further to that point, what self-respecting Vamp lives in a damn forest? It’s giving me the freaking heebie-jeebies just being out here for the morning. Inside a SUV. These people are crazier than yours.”
I started pacing again. “That’s what is worrying me, unless there’s a whole other King Cave in this area we don’t know about.”
Ezra grunted. “I already called my dad to ask. His response was to laugh his ass off, so I’m taking that as a no, even though he already sounded lit and asked me to pick up some Chinese before I came back, and I don’t think he was talking about General Tso’s Chicken.”
My feet stopped. “Oh, God. He’s thirsty.” Vivian was no longer there to supply blood.
“Yep.” A pause. “It’s funny how when I was growing up he said Coms always tasted the same, from what he remembered before he was mated, but suddenly, he’s got a damn ethnic preference.” He grunted. “Are there even Chinese Coms in this area?”
I blinked…because that sounded like an honest question. “Ezra.”
He hummed.
My God, he was serious. “This is America, land of the free and diversified. I’m sure you can find someone who has an Asian background easily enough.” My eyebrows puckered. “You traveled the damn world, how do you not know about the United States? Your home?”
“You’re forgetting, I was running away from home.” He paused, and then chuckled. “God, speaking of home, this area is right up your alley. I just saw a fox.” Another pause as he continued chuckling. “Hey, you’re not following me are you?”
“Ha, ha, funny man.” I thought about it. “I’m bigger than an actual fox, aren’t I?”
No response.
My wolf growled.
“Oh, sweetheart, you know I think you’re perfect. And your wolf is perfect, too.”
My wolf huffed, loving hearing him say it. “Just call me in another half-hour.”
“I will, but take a damn nap so you’re not worn out tonight for me, alright?”
I glanced at the bed, and it did look inviting. “You sure you’re doing fine out there?”
“It’s only me and the wildlife, sweetheart. Just try to relax for a little while.”
“Fine…I’ll try.” No promises.
“Promise me.”
Damn it. “Fine,” I growled. “I promise.”
He hummed happily. “I love you, wife.”
“And I love your aggravating ass, too, husband.”
“You say the sweetest things.”
I yawned, eyes on the bed. “Just call me, smart ass.”
He chuckled softly. “I’m Ezra Zeller, it’s nice to meet you, Smart Ass.” When I growled, he muttered, “Fine. I’ll call, sweetheart. I love you.”
“Love you, too.”
I woke to a buzzing sound. Blinking open my eyes, I sat up instantly and scented my surroundings. Quickly, my heart rate decreased as I remembered where the hell I was. Another craphole motel. The setting sun was filtering in through the lone window, and I stretched before grabbing my phone that had been buzzing on the pillow next to mine. Glancing at it as I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes, I saw that I had a message.
And it dawned on me…my eyes shot to the window.
The sun was fucking setting.
I quickly accessed my voicemail, and in a soft and calm voice, Ezra stated, “There’s an issue with my Prodigy. Coms are holding her.” My heart rate kicked into a wild gallop, only to increase when he paused, then said, “A lot of Coms.” He sighed. “There are Vamps in the area, and I’ve asked them to stay in the general vicinity, but they can’t go in with me because the die keeps faltering when they’re near, and I’ve tried Elder Farrar’s and my dad’s phones, but no one’s answering, so I only left messages.” A long pause. “I can’t leave her in there with them. I need to get her.” My heart rate stalled completely as he whispered, “I love you, sweetheart. Just…,” a pause, “just remember that.” The call ended.
There were no other messages, the call having come in fifteen minutes ago.
Jumping from the bed, I quickly called his number.
No answer.
I called again.
No answer.
Breath faltering, I placed a bracing hand on the wall before searching for Antonio’s number.
A knock sounded at my door. It was more of a banging.