Page 94 of Heart of the Hunted
"I'm not sure yet, but there's something off about this,” he said, pointing at the open door.
Natalia had a feeling Taredd knew more than he was letting on, but she didn't question him further. But when Dain returned, she knew that Taredd was right by the look on his face.
"What is it? What's happened?" Natalia asked.
Shaking his head, Dain said "No one is here."
"I don't believe you,” she said, watching as the men shared a look.
Looking back at her, Dain said "I promise, Natalia, there is no one here."
"Let go of me,” she told Taredd.
He hesitated a moment, but did as she asked, releasing her from his hold.
"Now, get out my way,” she told Dain. "I'm going down there whether you like it or not."
Dain looked at Taredd, who nodded to do what she asked. He climbed out the rest of the way and moved to the side, leaving her enough room to get past.
As soon as he was clear, Natalia climbed down the ladder. At first glance, everything looked as it should. A little messy, but mostly fine. It wasn't until she walked in the bedroom that she saw what Dain was trying to prevent her from seeing.
A large puddle of blood covered half the bedroom floor. Her heart instantly sank and tears welled up in her eyes, making everything blurry.
"No..." She said, dropping to her knees. "It can't be them."
She vaguely heard Taredd climb down the ladder, but she was too consumed with grief and guilt to pay him any attention.
Please don't let it be Amberly and Donovan. She prayed silently, over and over again as the tears fell unchecked down her cheeks.
***
Natalia was on her knees when he reached the back room where the beds were. He could hear her crying and it pained him. Taredd would do anything to take away her pain, but looking around the bunker Taredd knew without a doubt that something bad had happened here, and recently as well. The puddle of blood was still fresh on the floor.
"We've got to find Amberly and Donovan!" Natalia suddenly said as she jumped up and raced towards the ladder.
"Wait," Taredd said as he grabbed her around the waist as she went to pass him.
"No! Let go of me!" She shouted as tears streamed down her face, fighting to get free of his hold.
"Natalia, listen to me," Taredd said, spinning her so she faced him. Only once she was looking at him did he continue. "Whoever did this could still be in the area."
"I don't care!" She said as her voice broke. "I need to find them."
"We will, I promise,” he told her pulling her tight against his chest as she sobbed. "Dain..."
"I'm on it,” he said, knowing what Taredd wanted him to do.
"I can't lose them, they're like a brother and sister to me."
"We will find them, Natalia," Taredd said.
Whether they were alive or not was another matter. He hoped for her sake they were alive, but with the amount of blood in the other room, it was highly unlikely. More than one person died in that room for sure. Who it was, was anyone’s guess.
Maybe if Taredd or Dain had met them before this happened, they would be able to know from the scents in the room. Having never met them, that made it impossible for them to know.
Dain took his time searching the area. Natalia didn't leave Taredd’s arms the entire time Dain was gone, not even to pack up anything that might belong to her friends.
When he finally returned, he said "It's all clear outside. Whoever was here, they're long gone."
