10. Kalen

CHAPTER 10

KALEN

I finish chatting with the elves, flashing them my signature grin as they wander off. They promised they will be at the tavern next weekend to experience the fairy lights first hand. By then they should be fully enchanted.

But the moment they're out of sight, my smile drops.

Where's Olivia?

I spot the building she darted into and make my way over, noting that, sure enough the same seal that she first drew my attention to is also etched above the doorway. Huh.

"Olivia?" I call out, ducking my head to squeeze through the entrance. My horns scrape against the stone. "Liv, you in here?"

Silence.

She's probably in the next room here.

I scan the dimly lit interior, my eyes adjusting to the gloom. "Time to wrap up the research for today."

Still nothing. A knot forms in my stomach.

"Olivia!" My voice echoes off the stone walls. "Hey, please answer if you hear me."

Nothing .

I rush back outside, my heart pounding. A group of pixies flutters by, and I grab their attention.

"Hey! Did you see a human woman come out of here?" The words tumble out in a rush.

They exchange confused glances. "The human? Zoe? Thokk's new mate?"

"No, another!"

"No, of course not, what other? Are you feeling alright, Kalen?" one of them asks, concern etched on her tiny face.

I wave them off, frustration building. Of course they didn't see her. Or maybe they did, but she was in disguise, you idiot.

Back inside, I notice a door I missed before. It's slightly ajar, the seal with the woman is carved above it. I push it further open, revealing a hidden room.

"Olivia?" My voice cracks.

This one I really have to squeeze to enter. Some of the old buildings seem to have been built for gnomes. But the room is empty, save for some old crates and ... is that a cat bed?

Vaguely I wonder If this is where Othrix had been hiding last week.

"Troll spit, but where is she," I mutter, rubbing at a horn. "This can't be happening."

I slump against the wall, my mind racing. I never should have left her side.

Some mate I am.

"She's right, I was too busy being a sweet talker," I growl at myself. "And for what? You couldn't even keep her safe for one day."

I think of Olivia's bright eyes, her infectious curiosity. The way she sees right through my smooth-talking facade. And now she's gone. And worse, I can't even feel her. Or rather I can...but it's different.

She feels so ... distant.

I did not properly claim her, so of course I can't feel her .

Gods, this whole mate thing. There should be an instruction booklet!

"Nine hells!" I roar. This is my fault. I was so busy charming a bunch of stupid elves.

I don't even like elves.

They are tight as hell with their gold and have zero imagination when it comes to jokes. Weird senses of humor for sure.

I am losing it. I try to pull myself back together.

What does it matter if the Bullhorn is the hottest spot in Fablewood if I've lost her?

I need to rally the boys. And Elowen. And anyone else I can get to help find her.

"Pull yourself together," I mutter, standing up straight. "You're Kalen, dammit. You can figure this out. You are a minotaur, now act like it."

I take a deep breath, trying to channel some of Olivia's methodical thinking. What would she do? Make a list, probably.

Not a bad idea actually.

I rip the top off of a nearby box, and quickly find some charcoal amongst the general mess.

Mhhhmm. I can see how this focuses the mind.

Okay, step one: gather my friends. We'll search every inch of Fablewood if we have to.

**Koda and his son are excellent trackers ...

Step two: find Elowen. Maybe she knows something about the seal, or better yet about how Olivia got here in the first place.

**maybe she can weave a ‘spell of finding' or something...

Step three: Get my mate back. No matter what it takes.

I leave a note quickly in case she returns here...

I will come back for you, my love. Wait here .

Carefully I prop it in the doorway to the hidden room.

Okay ... I can best organize things from the tavern, and that is where she will probably look for me anyhow, if she doesn't return here.

By the Gods, allow me to find her.

I will never forgive myself if any harm has befallen her.

"I'm coming for you, Olivia. And when I find you, and by all the ancients held dear, I will find you, I swear I'll never let you go again."