Jessie let go of Zach. Kade had twisted around to watch, not Zach, but Jessie. His eyes gleamed feral gold.
“He’s downtown,” Jessie said.
“Shatza,” Kade snarled the Cryptid curse.
“He’s damned smart.” Cara shook her head. “Knows that if you find him there, you can’t come after him as Weres. You’ll have to stay human.”
Kade bared his teeth and punched a key on his phone. Neil was still cruising the lot, looking for a spot.
When he answered, Kade growled, “They’re downtown.”
Profanity from the other end.
“Yeah. Complicates things. Call the cavalry, will ya?” He hung up.
Zach rubbed his head. Cara reached between the seats and wrapped her hand around his arm. He gave her a weak grin. “Thanks.”
Kade started the truck.
“We’re going downtown?” Zach asked.
“Krisk. We’re going downtown,” Kade growled.
* * *
Kade parked his truck on the street outside the Millennium Library. The large building was located close to Winnipeg’s core.
An entire herd of antelope stampeded around in Zach’s stomach. At least that was what it felt like. He didn’t want to fail at this. Jessie’s future hung in the balance. Downtown Winnipeg, however, wasn’t where Zach wanted to be. The concerns of thousands wormed their way into his brain.
“Are you ready to try again?” Cara asked.
“Yes,” Jessie answered from behind him.
Zach merely nodded. He took Jessie’s hands again. This time, he was more prepared for the sensation of being attached to a rocket booster. It thrust him past the minds he sensed immediately around them, and he soared across the landscape as if he had mental wings.
In a flash, Jessie oriented them. Through her, Zach sensed the strength of what pulled at her. His stomach twisted at the emotion powering the heart of it. Not love. Or even affection.
Pure, unadulterated lust.
Jessie gently pulled her hands free.
“West,” they said, together.
Kade moved the truck. They were firmly into the lunch hour, and the traffic was heavy.
“There’s something on at the arena,” Cara warned. “Parking’s at a premium.”
“Might have to get you to drive, while we get out and walk,” Kade continued. “I don’t know if I’ll get a spot to sit.”
He ended up a bit south, in the loading zone in front of the Convention Centre. And Zach took Jessie’s hands.
Jessie didn’t take them far. He sensed her reluctance to engage now that she was closer to the target. Herfearof the power behind what she experienced. And hershame.
He wrapped his mental presence around her. Gave her a boost ofencouragementandreassurance. But she remained stalled. Afraid to go forward, or back.
Jessie let go and shook her head. “I think he’s still a bit west and north. That’s where it’s pulling me, anyway.”
“Try the Bay parkade,” Cara suggested. “The top deck usually isn’t busy on the weekend.”
