Wild Things: A Chicagolands Vampire Novel (Chicagoland Vampires) by Chloe Neill Page B

is here to report on our missing mates,” Gabe said, signaling Damien to begin.
    “There is no sign of Aline,” Damien said, his accent melodic. “But Rowan’s body has been found. Just inside the tree line on the south side of the meadow.”
    His expression was as neutral as it had been before, but the magic in the room dipped sadly, becoming low and melancholic. Gabe closed his eyes and leaned back against the couch, shoulders slumping in grief.
    “We are sorry for your loss,” Ethan gravely said. We’d had to say that too many times since our arrival in Loring Park.
    Gabe nodded, rubbing his forehead with his palm as if to soothe the tension there. “Is Aline gone by choice or coercion?”
    “I do not know,” Damien said. “But she is not on the estate. And I have looked well.”
    “Surely she’s just gone home,” Finley said, glancing at his fellow shifters. “Left the premises because of the drama.”
    “All those years she didn’t leave,” Fallon said. “Why would she leave now?”
    “Because you brought sorcerers and vampires into your sanctuary.”
    All eyes looked to Mallory, who’d spoken the words. She glanced across the room, making eye contact with each shifter, the act an apology and a reckoning.
    “It’s the truth, right out of her mouth,” Mallory said. “Maybe it was the final straw for her.”
    “Regardless of the reason,” Gabe said, “the timing is suspect. She left precisely when the night brought tragedy to our people, and I don’t believe in coincidences.”
    He looked up at Damien. “Go to her home. Learn what you can.” Then he looked at Ethan. “As you’ve offered your help, I suggest Merit go with Damien to look for Aline. It wouldn’t be wise for you to leave the estate, all things considered. I suggest you and the sorcerers stay here and help us ensure the safety of the Pack tonight.”
    Papa Breck scoffed at the notion he needed protecting, and it was clear Ethan didn’t like the idea of our splitting up. But as plans went, it wasn’t as bad as it might have been. We had agreed to investigate, and Ethan couldn’t leave the estate until the coast was clear. Lupercalia was going ahead as planned, so we might as well help the Pack.
    “I cannot speak for Catcher or Mallory,” Ethan carefully said. “Merit will go with Damien—but Jeff will go as well.”
    Ethan, ever the strategist, had done the math. Damien was an unknown, but Jeff was an ally. We’d literally walked through fire together.
    A thin smile played at Gabriel’s lips. “Your terms are acceptable, Sullivan. Damien, Jeff, Merit—go now. And find her.”
    •   •   •
    I didn’t want to leave Ethan. I (mostly) trusted his safety to Catcher and Mallory, but they’d still be surrounded by shifters who hadn’t decided whether we were friend or foe. And many were leaning toward the latter.
    Ethan escorted me to the foyer, where we waited while Jeff and Damien researched Aline’s address. I took the opportunity to play Sentinel.
    “Make sure you’re armed in case there’s another attack. Keep your phone on you. And stay in Catcher’s line of sight at all times. He’ll keep you out of harm’s way.”
    Ethan cocked an eyebrow. “I do not need a sorcerer to keep me safe.”
    “Let’s hope not,” I said. “Because that wouldn’t do much for your hard-ass vamp cred.”
    Ethan humphed. “I have
all
the hard-ass vampire cred.” The ferocity in his eyes was actually pretty convincing. “You’ll stick to Jeff?”
    “As close as I can. Do you know anything about Garza?”
    “Nothing at all,” Ethan said, sliding his gaze to the tall and rangy shifter, who stood against the opposite wall, arms crossed as he looked down at Jeff.
    “This was the best bargain you could make,” I assured Ethan, squeezing his hand. He didn’t look entirely convinced, but I was right; there was no better bargain in the offing.
    “Got it,” Jeff said, tucking his phone away and moving back toward