Life After Dark: Book Two of the Dark Series

Chapter 66

"Did you hear that?" Lark asked, as she moved to the window of the diner.

"Yeah," Sly said, moving to stand beside her. "What is it?"

"Ssh! Be quiet!" Lizzie said, holding herself still as she listened intently.

"It's a siren," Emily said quietly. Her eyes rested on Jordan's worried brown eyes as he agreed with her. "Yeah, it is, but I don't think it's just one."

Dawn's eyes widened as she sat quietly and listened to her friends' voices. They sounded distant to her as a zillion images of Lucky's, Tommy's and maybe Nikolas's mangled bodies came to her mind. She had to go to them, she decided. She had to make sure they were all right. She'd never forgive herself if they weren't. With her mind made up, she grabbed her purse and ran for the door.

Sly saw her movement from the corner of his eye and reached the door before she did. Blocking her path, he asked, "What are you doing?"

"Sly, I don't have time for this. Move!" she said, glaring at him.

Lizzie moved to stand next to her and said, "Yeah, Sly, get out of the way."

"No can do," he said, shaking his head.

"Oh, yes you can!" Dawn said, as she stomped on his foot. When he yelped in pain, she and Lizzie ran out of the restaurant.

"Jordan, go after them," Sly said as he limped to his chair.

"You guys," Jordan said, looking at Emily and then Lark, "stay here. I'll be right back."

Emily and Lark nodded as Jordan turned to leave.

~*~

Nikolas left the crime scene in a state of shock. Someone had been murdered. Right there. In that alley. Nikolas saw the body bag as the paramedics wheeled the gurney into the ambulance, and he was floored. The memories of Katherine Bell's fall and death came rushing back and he almost staggered as he made his way back to Kelley's.

"Nikky? Nikky!" Dawn almost screamed as she flung herself into his arms. His arms folded around her with more force than he had ever used, and she knew immediately that something was wrong. Carefully, she eased herself out of his arms and asked, "What's wrong? Where are they?"

"Where are Lucky and Tommy?" Lizzie asked as she reached them. Dawn had spotted Nikolas and had taken off, leaving Lizzie to follow behind her.

"What's going on?" Jordan asked as he followed Lizzie. He saw the apprehensive looks on the two young women's faces and then he looked at Nikolas. The shattered eyes which stared back at him frightened him a little and he took a step back. "You didn't find them?" he asked, his quiet voice seemed loud in the silence.

Jordan's question shook Nikolas to the present. Pulling Dawn back into the protective circle of his arms, Nikolas looked accusingly at Jordan as he said, "I asked you to watch her! What is she doing out here!"

"I did! She ran out-"

"You and Sly weren't supposed to let her run out!"

"You know how she is! What were we supposed to do? Tie her to a chair? I looked out for her. We both did! She's okay, right?" Jordan said, using a softer tone as he said his last sentence. He knew that Nikolas was scared. He could see it in his eyes and the way he held Dawn. But what he didn't know, was why. He wasn't sure if he wanted to know or even if he was ready to find out.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Dawn said, her hand soft against Nikolas' cheek as she turned his face to look at her. "See. There's nothing wrong with me."

"She's fine, Nikolas!" Lizzie said, her patience having evaporated. "Now, where are they? Were they involved with those cops with the sirens and stuff?"