Out of nowhere, a large dark shape flew over her and she was jerked off her feet. Her purse dropped to the ground, but she couldn’t worry about that. Her biggest concern was the talons digging into her flesh, partially cutting off her air, and the height at which the creature soared upward. Callie screamed for help, but the talons tightened around her and shook her like a rag doll. The last thought she had was that she would die.
*****
8:35 p.m.
“Where is she?” Viper demanded.
“How do I know?” Markus responded.
“You were to meet her after church to make sure everything was okay with her security system.” He knew the system was working perfectly. Viper had the security team add the app to his own phone so he could check in on Callie from time to time. Obviously, he should have put a tracker on the female herself since she just disappeared.
Valorie moved to stand between the two men to make them back down. “Easy, Viper. We were on our way here but had to stop for gas. We got here at eight fifteen. This is a small town, so by now, everyone in town has heard that her apartment was broken into. I’m sure she got waylaid by church members. The evening service usually has a lot of the elderly folk who knew her aunt and uncle really well.”
Something was wrong. His dragon sensed it too. “I will go to the church.”
“I’ll go with you. They know me and will most likely talk to me. The way you’re looking, you’ll scare the devil out of them. Markus will stay here in case she shows up.”
Markus growled his displeasure. “Why can’t I go with you to the church?”
“Look at Viper. He’s about to lose control and go all fire-breathing dragon on us. If he goes to the church to look for her, it will give him something to do and help calm him.”
Viper took offense at the suggestion that he could not control himself. But his dragon was pushing hard to get out. He nodded his agreement when Markus gave him an assessing look.
“Fine, but you take cover if something happens. Don’t play the hero, Valorie.”
She leaned up and kissed him firmly on the lips. “I’ll be safe.” Valorie then turned to Viper. “Come on, dragon boy, let’s go find our girl.”
The church was only a few blocks from the library, so they walked. Callie would have also walked to and from church, so the likelihood that they would cross paths was good. His dragon was becoming even more irritable. He heard the noises before they turned the corner and knew without a doubt that something happened to Callie. He ran.
The sight of a small crowd outside the church was telling, but what hit him hard was seeing the sheriff’s car parked out front with its lights flashing. The deputy saw him first and came barreling toward him.
“You asshole! What did you do to her? I know it was you!”
Viper didn’t have time to deal with this male, so he ignored him and pushed past to head for the sheriff.
“Halt! I’m putting you under arrest!” JJ whipped out his gun and pointed it at Viper’s back. He stopped to glare at the male and watched as Valorie kicked the gun out of JJ’s hands.
“Val! You are interfering with police business!” JJ tried to scramble to get his weapon.
“You need to calm the hell down and tell us what happened here,” Valorie told him.
“Your friend over there attacked Callie after church and took her someplace.”
“Viper was with me and Markus most of the day. We all went to Callie’s having dinner after church service. She never came home.”
“Is that true, son?” Sheriff Jenkins asked as he approached them.
“I would never hurt Callie. What happened here?”
JJ had retrieved his gun holding it pointing down at the ground this time. “Why should we believe him?”
“JJ, go finish taking the statements from the church parishioners. Get them out of sight. We don’t want to spread panic among the rest of our town.”
“You don’t want me here for backup?”
“No, I think I can handle it myself.”
JJ looked hurt, but he walked back to the church and tried to usher everyone inside and away from anyone watching.
Valorie moved forward, lightly touching Viper’s shoulder to let him know she was there for support. “What happened, Sheriff?”
“Church let out about eight p.m. Some elderly ladies were asking Callie how she was holding up after her break-in. She left them about five minutes past, but she headed in the opposite direction of the library. The pastor’s wife noted that because she thought it was unusual. A few minutes later, a scream was heard along with a growl. The pastor and a few of the church elders rushed down the street to find Callie’s purse lying on the ground, but no Callie. Several members swear they saw something like a gigantic bird swooping her up into the air.”
“A gigantic bird?” Viper asked with a sinking feeling.
“Yeah, that’s what they claim. But you got to keep in mind that most of these people are seniors and their eyesight is shot. Also, it’s dark, which would have kept them from seeing. I’ve called for a few extra deputies from two towns over to help look for her.”
“Could you show us where you found her purse? Also, may I see her purse?” Valorie asked.
“I put the purse in my car,” the sheriff responded heading to his vehicle.
They followed close behind him. As
