Chapter 32

"What doyou mean she is gone?" I leaned forward, my fists resting on Anton's desk.

"I offered her the hospitality of staying in the manor, and she repaid the Pack by leaving without so much as a thank you." Anton sniffed as if Sage's actions hurt him deeply.

"She couldn't walk away. Where is she?" I raised my voice.

Anger flared in Anton's gaze. "In time, you will see that it is for the best. I am happy she is gone. I suggest that you accept her choice and move on."

I threw my hands in the air. I was on emotional overload. A Lycan could survive on little sleep, but I was pushing my limit. I turned away from Anton and dropped into the chair next to Sig. "This makes no sense."

Anton lifted one shoulder in a half-shrug. "Humans make no sense. That is why I avoid them."

"She is my Mate," I reminded him.

"So, you claim." Anton leaned back in his chair. "If she was your mate, she would not leave."

"I must find her." I started to get to my feet.

"No. You must tell me all that took place during your trip." Anton's glare told me that I had no choice.

I settled reluctantly. "Novus was grateful to take custody of Charles Burke. A conference call transpired, and The Council held firm that there would be no reward money paid to The Redds as punishment for housing the fugitive and blatantly ignoring their mandates." Before Anton could complain, I added. "Novus was ordered to do the same."

"I suppose you did not argue that we had cooperated once we had evidence that Charles has control issues." Anton rested his linked hands on his softening mid-section.

"They were steadfast." I did not share that Black had rewarded Sig and me for transporting Charles. "Black invited us to stay to see how he would mete out the justice that the Council promised."

"Was that a long, drawn-out affair? I suppose he called a Gathering and took full credit for the end of Charles Burke."

"By the time his people had gathered, Burke was dead."

"What? Did their questioning go too far?" Anton took great pleasure in believing he was the superior Packleader.

I shook my head. "The Seer killed him."

"She methodically ripped his body apart," Sig added.

I could tell that the human's action impressed Sig, but it had left me uneasy. The Goddess easily took over Theodora's body. The Lady had blessed the Seer with additional gifts, and she was an impressive weapon.

"I don't believe you." Anton made a moue with his lips. "Was he chained or bespelled so he could not defend himself?"

"I have a copy of the video. Theodora is now…something more." I gave Sig a nod to cue the video.

"Don't be ridiculous. She is a Marked, but still she is human," Anton scoffed.

Sig handed Anton his phone.

Anton watched with interest. When he finished, he dropped the phone on his desk. "That is not real."

"We saw the body. Or what was left of it." I leaned forward and retrieved Sig's phone.

"I don't believe it." Anton leaned back in his chair and frowned.

"They claim that The Lady favors the Seer, and I now believe it."

Anton waved his hand. "It does not matter. We are rid of the pariah, and now, you need to track down the Burke Leader and collect our fee."

"I will address the issue with Travis Burke after I find my mate." I stood to end this meeting. I did not want to waste time on a worthless quest. Travis Burke had gone missing. If he did have the money, he would need it to survive.

"She's gone, Bredon. You should let her go."

"Never." Something had happened while we were gone, and I knew that Anton was behind it.

Sig and I left Anton's office and cut across the courtyards to our wing.

"I need to talk to Talia," I said as I opened the door to our wing.

The guard on duty straightened. "Sir."

"Where is Talia?"

"I believe she is working in the room with the shelves."

As we climbed the staircase, Sig spoke, "She would not lie to you."

"She should not." I wanted to believe she would not lie about Sage's whereabouts. However, Talia was emotional and acted rashly at times.

She was sitting at the worktable with her back to the door.

"Where is Sage?" I demanded, not wasting time with social niceties.

She turned and, for a moment, looked relieved. "You're back."

"Obviously," I stopped in front of her. "Where is Sage? Did you send her away?" I held up my hands in a slow-down motion. "I'm not mad at you. I only need to know where she went so I can be with her."

"I don't know. Anton put his guards on the doors."

"He did what?" Sig had joined us.

"Both of you, sit down. I hate it when you tower over me," she snapped at him.

My wolf did not want to sit. He demanded action.

She waited until we sank into the chairs. "Giselle reported Miriam's story," she paused to make sure we knew who she was talking about.

"The maid has a connection to the healer," I said, nodding. I needed her to continue.

"She gave me updates. Sage was slowly gaining strength." Talia wet her lips. "I packed a few of her things, and Giselle delivered them to Miriam's. Yesterday afternoon, I learned that Sage had gone."

"She did not just wander off," Sig's voice was harsh. "She could not call for a taxi."

"You should speak with Miriam," Talia urged. "I will go with you. I assume I am free to move about now that you have returned."

"It was not one of Anton's guards on the doors," I told her. I ran my fingers through my hair. "Let's go to Miriam's."

"If she helped Sage leave, she would never admit it," Sig cautioned.

"I know that," I snapped. "I will not ask her directly. I can only hope she will share a clue or two."

Three hours later, Sig and I were in my office. I had not been this tired in years.

"Bryon is trying to pull up her financials."

My people were primarily self-taught. We had few tools for technology; in this instance, it was costing me time.

"Miriam somehow smuggled Sage out. I know it. It is better for all involved if we don't know the details." I was going over the pertinent points.

"You agree with Miriam that Anton would have had her killed?" Sig asked.

I tamped down my fury before answering. "I am sure of it. I owe Miriam a debt for not hesitating to act."

"I agree." Sig looked exhausted. The skin around his eyes was pulled tight, and he kept stretching his neck as if that would relieve the tension in the room.

"Sage is bright. She would want to get as far away as possible."

"Where else would she go?"

"Talia thinks she went back to Chicago. She might stay with her friends, who acted as her family. My concern is that I do not want to lead Anton's men to her or her friends." I tapped my fingers on my desk.

"He is likely very proud of himself. Your chance at eternal happiness has disappeared," Sig listed what we knew. "You need to watch your back. He knows that you are off your game. He might take advantage and attack."

He could try.