He closed his eyes again and when he opened them, she saw complete honesty. And she saw something else, but she wasn't sure what it was. Something about him that looked ... familiar in a weird way. "I saw Collin Warren out and about this morning. Something told me he was up to no good."
Kylie listened to Hayden's heart speak the truth. She continued to study his eyes, which held no dishonesty. "Who are you?" she asked.
He brought both hands up and brushed his hair from his brow. "See for yourself."
Kylie did see. His pattern was the same as her father's. Hayden was ... a chameleon.
Her breath caught. He had all sorts of information she needed, but not now. Because more important than even the answers he held was Holiday's life. Then her gaze shifted back to his sofa, and she realized he did have one thing she needed.
She snagged his phone and lit out as she heard him protest.
* * *
Kylie flew off his porch. The sunrise had painted the horizon a bright color, not that she took the time to enjoy the view. She held the phone up and realized the problem. She still couldn't remember Burnett's number. So she dialed Della.
Della didn't answer, damn it.
Kylie left a message. She told her what she suspected-that Collin Warren had Holiday and that she was looking for him now. She didn't slow down, didn't stop until she stood in front of Collin's cabin. She listened. Not a sound echoed from inside. She had to see for herself. She started up the porch steps when she heard quiet footfalls sound behind her.
Heart stopping, Kylie swung around, expecting Collin, but found Fredericka instead.
"What are you doing sneaking around?" the were asked.
Kylie didn't have time to chat, so she turned around and went to check out Collin's cabin. The door was locked, so she simply crashed it in. She'd done it at Hayden's cabin, what was one more?
Fredericka's gasp sounded behind her. Kylie ignored it.
She went into Collin's bedroom, looking for anything that might help her find Holiday.
"What's going on?" Fredericka asked, following her into the room.
"Just leave. I don't have time for pettiness." She opened the drawer and yanked everything out.
"What's going on?" Fredericka asked again.
Kylie sighed. "Holiday's missing and I think this creep took her."
"Shit!" Fredericka said. "I knew he was weird."
Kylie went to leave.
"Wait," Fredericka said. "I followed him a couple of days ago. He went to some old cabin in that park next door."
"Where?" Kylie roared; every instinct in her seemed to be turned on.
"I'll ... show you." She held up her hands as if half frightened.
They ran into the woods. Kylie's patience was pushed when she had to slow down for Fredericka, but Kylie held her tongue. Normally, she wouldn't have trusted the were to spit on her if she was on fire, but her gut said the girl wasn't pulling any tricks now. No doubt Fredericka knew Holiday had gone to extra lengths to get her to Shadow Falls, and to keep her here.
They came upon the property gate. Kylie jumped without even trying. Fredericka barely made it and landed hard on the other side.
Kylie hesitated and looked back.
"I'm fine," the were growled, and bounced onto her feet.
I didn't ask. Kylie bit her tongue. They started to bolt again when Hayden's phone rang. Kylie pulled it out of her pocket and saw Burnett's name. Obviously, Della had given him this number.
"Where the hell are you?" Burnett barked. "And why do you have Hayden Yates's phone?"
* * *
Kylie and Fredericka arrived at the cabin before Burnett. But he'd said he was on his way, which meant he would be there soon. Weeds and young trees grew around the structure as if someone had forgotten it existed. The sounds of the night suddenly went silent. Burnett must be close by.
He'd ordered them to wait before moving into the cabin. But Kylie heard someone inside. She listened; God help her, she only heard one person breathing. Fear stole her next breath. Her blood fizzed so strong, it almost burned.
Protect Holiday. Protect Holiday. The words echoed in her head like a litany.
She motioned for Fredericka to stand back. The girl's eyes filled with rebellion. Kylie didn't have time to argue. She stormed into the building; the door splintered, the walls wobbled.
Collin Warren jumped up from the floor. At his feet lay Holiday.
A very still, very dead Holiday.
Chapter Thirty-six
Fear filled Collin's eyes when he saw Kylie, while pure evil seemed to surround him.
Kylie picked up Collin Warren and tossed him across the cabin. She heard his body hit the log walls with a loud, cracking thud. The air gushing out of his lungs sounded in the room, but she didn't see him land.
She heard a scuffle happening behind her. Fredericka screamed. Kylie ignored it.
On her knees beside Holiday, Kylie removed the rope from around her throat.
"Is she dead?" Kylie heard Fredericka ask. The question floated in the room-unanswered.
Kylie's gaze stayed locked on Holiday. Kylie's heart stayed locked on the fact that she'd tried to save Ellie and failed-tried to save Roberto and failed then, too.
Burnett's footsteps sounded in the cabin; she heard him let out a sound of pure anguish. He knew. He knew Holiday was dead.
Kylie still didn't look up. Everything she had-everything she wanted to believe in-stayed focused on Holiday. This couldn't be happening. Not Holiday.
"No!" Kylie screamed.
Not Holiday, who had always been there for Kylie, always listened, always cared. Memories of them together filled her mind. Memories of them laughing, sitting side by side at the falls, even eating ice cream while talking about heartaches and boys. How many times had Holiday offered Kylie a warm, comforting touch?
"You can't go," Kylie said with a half sob. Tears rolled down her cheeks and landed on Holiday's pale face. Kylie ran her hands over Holiday's swollen, bruised throat.
When Kylie didn't feel her hands heat up, she closed her eyes and prayed. Let me save her. You gave me this power, now let me use it. I'll pay whatever price it takes, even if it's my own life. Do you hear me? My life for hers!
A ball of warmth formed in her chest and then slowly spread to her hands. Her hands tingled and then turned hot and then hotter still. Holiday's body felt so cold, so lifeless under Kylie's palms, but she didn't stop. She couldn't.
"She's glowing again," Fredericka's voice sounded in the distance.
But even as Kylie's light filled the small room, Holiday didn't respond. Another somber, grieving sound came from Burnett. It was the last sound Kylie heard before her vision went black.