But after what he had seen today, watching Maverick shift, Kevin would now know that he wasn’t crazy. Keaton was just afraid that if the vampire had wiped the young man’s mind already, Kevin would think he was crazy all over again.
Plus, the vampire’s touch just might screw up Kevin’s gift—and Keaton viewed it as a gift. He wasn’t sure what it was for, but no one should tamper with it.
“Shit.”
That did not sound good. “Why are you shitting?” Keaton asked.
Kade cut a glance at him and Keaton knew right away. “We’re lost, aren’t we?”
“No,” Kade said as he gripped the wheel tighter. “We are just momentarily misplaced.”
“Momentarily—” Keaton gave a strangled laugh of disbelief. “I thought you said you knew these roads.”
“It’s been a while,” Kade defended. “Just give me a minute and it’ll all come back to me.”
“We might not have a minute. The vampires are sweeping through this town at a rapid rate. Minutes may be the difference between helping Kevin or letting his gift be taken from him.”
Kade reached over and wrapped his hands around Keaton’s. “We don’t even really know what his gift is. The only thing we know for certain is that he can see people for who they truly are. A vampire’s touch may not do anything to him.”
That was true, but Keaton didn’t want to take that chance. He was becoming increasingly frustrated until Kade made a small noise that indicated he remembered where he was. “I knew I would remember!”
“Fantastic, now can we get there?”
“You don’t have to be so bitchy. I’m only trying to help.”
Now Keaton felt like shit. He had not meant to become snarky. “I’m sorry, Kade. I’m just worried. I know I just met the kid today, but I don’t know, it’s like we clicked.”
Kade squeezed his hand tightly. “We’ll get to him.”
After five more minutes of driving, Kade pulled into a long driveway. He parked the car next to a beat-up old truck. The two hurried out of the car and ran toward the front door. Keaton knocked as hard as he could, hoping they made it on time.
Kade glanced through one of the front windows and then turned toward Keaton, shaking his head. “I don’t see anyone.”
“Well then”—Keaton waved frantically toward the front door—“break it down.”
“You want me to break into their home?” Kade asked in a tense voice. “Are you trying to send me back to prison?”
“Well, no,” Keaton said as he glanced at the door. “Then you might want to take the car and go because I’m about to break this door down. You standing here next to me is only going to incriminate you.” Keaton opened the screen door and turned the knob, not surprised at all that it was unlocked.
People who lived in such rural areas tended to keep things unlocked. He eased the door open and stuck his head inside. “Hello?” he whispered loudly. When he didn’t hear a response, Keaton walked in.
Kade was standing outside cursing before he hurried inside and close the door behind them. “I am highly protesting this.” Kade grabbed Keaton’s hand and led him up a set of stairs. “They’re probably asleep in their bed. That’s where we need to check.”
As they ascended the stairs, Keaton’s nose began to twitch. “What on earth is that smell?” He was still getting used to his shifter form. Hell, it’d only been a few hours since he had changed. Everything was so new to him, images sharper, scents stronger, and he felt like he could take on the world.
Keaton loved feeling strong, but right now he was more concerned with that overwhelming stench. It was starting to burn his nose.
Kade stiffened beside him and then pulled Keaton back. His teal-colored eyes narrowed as he glanced at one of the bedroom doors. “What you smell is vampire blood.”
Keaton was confused. If the vampire was only coming here to wipe a mind, why would he be smelling blood? A foreboding feeling began to pull at Keaton’s chest. Something wasn’t right.
Kade pulled his hand free and pressed it into Keaton until his back was against the wall. “Stay right here,” Kade demanded quietly. He didn’t say a word as his mate crept toward the bedroom door. He wanted to follow. God, how he wanted to follow, but Keaton was terrified of what he would see.
He wanted to shout for Kade to hurry up and check, but he also wanted to shout for Kade to get away from the door. Neither of them had any idea what was beyond it. What if it was something so heinous that it would give Keaton nightmares for years to come? But what if Kevin was hurt?
It took everything in Keaton to stay rooted to the spot.
Kade listened at the door, pressing his ear into the wood. Keaton strained to listen as well, but he didn’t hear anything. He sucked in his bottom lip and began to chew on it when Kade reached for the door handle.
As his mate turned the knob, Keaton’s anxiety began to build higher. He watched, his breath frozen in his lungs as Kade slowly opened the bedroom door. The door creaked as it slowly moved inward. All of the sudden Keaton felt as if he was in the middle of some horror movie.
He glanced over his shoulder but all he saw was an empty hallway. Seeing no one there did not stop him from worrying. His eyes swept back over to Kade and saw that his mate had gone inside.
Now Keaton was standing all alone in the dark hallway. He wasn’t sure what he was more afraid of, being left out here when he had no clue what was going on, or what was in the room
