A Demon Made Me Do It(68)

Bones jumps out of his seat so quickly he nearly makes me spill my drink. “Why don’t we go outside and I can explain to you exactly what I do and do not know,” he growls, eyes blazing.

Kieron’s face remains passive as his eyes lock with Bones’. He slowly rises to his feet, but I push him back down.

“No. Stop it. You, sit,” I say to Kieron. Then I grab Bones’ sweater and yank him to the back corner.

“What the hell, Bones? Not two seconds ago you said you were gonna be cool with this.”

“I just don’t like the guy, Luck. What can I say…he just rubs me the wrong way. I mean, you heard him…practically called me a clueless idiot back there just because I didn’t want to tell him what happened last night.” Bones scowls, his eyes still flashing with anger.

I sigh. “You’re being overly-sensitive. He’s just making small talk. Settle down.”

He rolls his eyes and lets out an exasperated moan. “I only promised you I wouldn’t kill the guy…for now. I never said I wanted to be buddy-buddy with him.”

“You don’t have to be buddy-buddy…just don’t be a total dick.”

He smirks. “Can’t promise that, love. There are some things in this world that are just out of my control. You enjoy your evening. I’ll see you around.”

“Bones…”

He turns to leave, but stops when he sees the stunning red-head hurrying toward us. “Lucky, Bones, good you’re here.” Her normally jovial face is clouded with concern.

“Hey, Catalina. What’s wrong? You seem upset,” I say.

“I need to talk to you guys…it’s important. Have a minute?”

“Of course,” Bones says, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “Here, let’s get you a drink, and you can tell us what’s got you so worked up. Come on.” He steers her over to the bar, several seats away from where Kieron sits alone. I signal for Gyan to bring Catalina her drinks.

She eases onto a barstool, giving us a pensive glance. “I’m sorry to bother you, and I’m sure I’m just making a big deal out of nothing…”

“What is it?”

She pauses to take several long swigs from the glass Gyan sets down. Bones and I exchange silent looks, both noticing the worry in her eyes.

“I was just wondering…have you guys seen or heard from Ivy or Cody recently?” she finally asks.

“No, not for several nights.” I’ve been so wrapped up in my own drama, I’m not sure when I last saw either one of them. “I just figured they were taking some time off or something…” I glance at Bones and he shakes his head.

“That’s just it…everyone just assumed they were off doing their thing. But I stopped by their house today to get back some shoes Ivy borrowed and…” Catalina hesitates, then gulps the rest of her drink.

“And what?” Bones and I ask in unison.

“And, well, their house looked…weird…the way they left it. It was all done up as if they were going to have a romantic time…bed turned down, flowers everywhere, champagne bottles in buckets of water, the stereo was even playing soft music. But it was obvious no one had been there in a while. It seems really odd they would have left it like that…”

“What are you saying? You think something happened to them?” I ask, my heart starting to pound.

She nods, fear in her eyes. “Yes, but no one seems to care. Everyone thinks they’re fine, and why wouldn’t they be? Ivy’s more than strong enough to take care of both of them. But something’s not right here. It’s not like her to just take off for this long and not say anything to me. She didn’t even get a replacement for her post here at the Bar. She just didn’t show up…same with Cody.

“That is weird,” I admit.

Bones nods in agreement, his brow furrowed. “What should we do?”

“That’s just it; I don’t know what to do. The few demons I’ve mentioned this to say I’m overreacting and not to start trouble where there isn’t any. But I’m not…I’m just worried, and I hoped maybe you guys could help…”

“There’s been some fighting along two of the borders lately, and I know there have been several incidents of humans being murdered in the local towns. But I don’t see how any of that would involve Ivy or Cody,” Bones says.

Catalina sighs, and nervously tugs at her crimson waves. “So you think I’m overreacting, too? I don’t know if that makes me feel better or worse.” Her pouty lips turn down in a frown.

“I don’t think you’re wrong to be worried,” I say, “But what’re we supposed to do? If they’re in the territory and had trouble or something, Bones and the other boys would know. And if they’re out of the area, well, how would we find them? They could be anywhere…” I stop mid-sentence as I realize the answer to my question is sitting at the bar.