Page 130 of Inked in Bloom
I can’t feel Briar at all.
I grab Cherri’s hand and hunt for Roxy and Kendrick. Already mated, they are here to enjoy themselves, but I’m sure if I explain, they’ll happily take over while we figure out what’s going on. I need to find Fate, see if she knows.
I’m almost to them when Cherri taps my shoulder. “Monroe.”
She smiles behind me, tears streaking her cheeks. Releasing my hand, she runs toward a wary and exhausted-looking Dani. Gone is the swagger I’ve grown accustomed to.
This can’t be good.
I follow my friend, fear flooding my veins. “Where is he?”
“Still earthside.” Dani’s attention drops to their boots. “We found Skylar, but she refused to come home. Briar sent me back before the veil closed so I wouldn’t miss this.”
“Skylar refused to come back? We thought she was taken.” My nails dig into my palms.
“That’s what we thought too.” Dani sighs, running a hand through their disheveled mop of mulberry. “Turns out she’s been holed up in some cave that isn’t affected by the seasons or Fate’s magic. Neither of us could sense our bonds once we stepped inside.”
“So Briar’s okay?” I ask, the words heavy on my tongue.
“He was when I left.” They don’t expand, but I know what isn’t being verbalized: Briar was fine when he sent Dani back, but who knows what’s happened since then.
“Skylar has another mate,” Dani says, rocking back on their heels. “A Storm named Torynn.”
They say it so casually it takes a moment for the words to register.
Cherri’s eyes go wide. “How is that possible? What about Corrigan?”
“She’s mated to the Storm as well—or was. It seems our dear sister’s known for years and never said a word. Would’ve been useful information to have those weeks we spent searching for Skylar.”
I can’t imagine how painful it would be having a mate in another season, one we all actively avoid… It had to be excruciating for Corrigan.
“What do you meanwas?” I ask.
“Skylar and this Storm were able to—” Dani makes a cutting motion with their fingers. “Those summer bitches have some deal going with Time, and that fucker can somehow sever the bond, I guess. They weren’t exactly forthcoming with the specifics.”
“I need to go find Briar.” I pull the agenda and script from the pocket of my dress, holding it out to Dani. “Give this to Roxy and Kendrick. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“The veil is closed,” Dani says, though they still take the paper from me and stick it in the pocket of their leather Rescue Rider jacket. “You won’t be able to get to him.”
“I have to try.” He came for me when I refused to leave, and now he’s with Skylar, refusing to leave her behind in the mortal world. “I can’t give up on him.”
I won’t.
Resolve propelling me forward, I place my hand over my mate mark, praying it’ll take me to Briar, hoping I’m not too late.
Whether my kneesbuckle from the force of my landing or the fear rioting through me, I lose my balance and stumble into a patch of grass. It takes me a moment to catch my bearings, the world spinning in a blur. But there, at the center of it, I find a seed of hope.
The bond.
It’s faint, like a low hum, but it’s him.
I blink, getting to my feet and scanning my surroundings. I’m not earthside… I’m in Briar’s backyard, but I don’t see him anywhere.
Wiping the dirt off my hands, I peer down at my sage-green wrap dress, redoing the tie around the waist as I go inside the house.
“Briar?” I call out, reassured by the bond but uncertain how I ended up here. Climbing the stairs, I peek into his room and the bathroom.
A loud clatter comes from below, and I scurry down the stairs. Nerves and pain slip through the bond.
