Whispers at Moonrise

screamed his name when she entered, but no one answered. No one.
    She went into his bedroom. The bed stood empty.
    Recalling the vampire ritual, she tore out again. Della had told her once where they held it. She shot through the woods, not caring about her promise to not enter. If she ran into trouble, being in protective mode, she could kick ass and ask questions later.
    She exited through the line of trees into a clearing. The wind whizzed past as she moved. Coming to a jolting stop, she found herself circled by a half-dozen angry vamps, their eyes glowing at the idea of an intruder disturbing their ceremony.
    Lucky for her, the Shadow Falls vamps weren’t likely to attack. A good thing, because even in protective mode, she didn’t know if she could take on all six of them.
    “Where’s Burnett?” Kylie snapped. “Or Della?”
    “What is it?” Burnett came to a stop beside her.
    Kylie never answered. She didn’t have to. He saw it in her eyes.
    “Holiday?” The sound in his voice had Kylie’s chest aching. Her blood pumped faster.
    Kylie’s breath caught. “He’s got her.”
    “Who?” he demanded as Della stopped at his side.
    “I still don’t know,” Kylie answered, and her eyes spiked with more tears. But they had better find out, and soon, before it was too late.
    *   *   *
    Three minutes later, after Kylie had explained everything, Burnett had spouted out orders for all the vamps and her to go search the Shadow Falls property. If Holiday was still here, they’d find her. Burnett headed back to the office to see if he could find clues and to check to see if the alarm was functioning.
    Kylie headed to the west side of the property. But when she passed the trail that led to the cabin where Hayden Yates lived, she did a complete U-turn.
    She slammed down on his porch. Heard him moving around inside. Heard him talking to someone.
    She stormed in without knocking and oops, forgot to open the door. It landed with a loud crack on the floor. Hayden stood by the sofa, his hooded sweater in one hand as if he’d just removed it, and his phone in the other. His dark hair appeared darker, wet with sweat. His skin looked flushed, as if he’d been running. But from what?
    Or better yet, from where?
    “Where is she?” Her tone came out deep, filled with fury and warning.
    He cut off the phone. “Where is who?” he asked in innocence.
    “Don’t play games with me.” Her blood now fizzed in her veins. Her patience, if she’d had any at all, was now gone.
    He tossed the hoodie and his phone on the sofa. Beside those two items was a watch. A black-banded watch.
    “You’re vampire now. Try listening to my heart for the truth.”
    Kylie had already listened to his heart, but it didn’t matter. Didn’t matter that he had a different watch from the one she’d seen in the vision. He could have two watches. “That only works with people who have a conscience.”
    “And you’re assuming I don’t.”
    “You’ve been hiding something ever since you got here.” She took a step closer. Her intent was to get answers, and she didn’t care how.
    He apparently read her mood, because he held out his hands, palms up. “Perhaps, but it isn’t what you think. I haven’t hurt your precious camp leader.”
    “I didn’t tell you who it was! So how the hell—”
    “I’m no fool. Burnett stakes out at her house most nights.”
    “If you’ve hurt her, I’ll kill you.” She didn’t flinch at hearing the words. They were true. For Holiday, Kylie would kill.
    But what if she’d failed Holiday and it was too late? Anger, fear, and love burned in Kylie’s chest. Her hands shook.
    “I don’t doubt you could kill me,” Hayden said, holding his submissive pose. “Your strength right now appears … palpable.” He inhaled and she could swear he looked sincere, even respectful. “It isn’t my place to”—he hesitated again—“speak up.” He ran a hand through his hair. “It would probably be beneficial for me to just keep my mouth shut. But unfortunately, unlike you believe, I do have a conscience.”
    He closed his eyes again and when he opened them, she saw complete honesty. And she saw something else, but she wasn’t sure what it was. Something about him that looked … familiar in a weird way. “I saw Collin Warren out and about this morning. Something told me he was up to no good.”
    Kylie listened to Hayden’s heart speak the truth. She continued to study his eyes, which held