Jace
Clarke hadn’t put the bracelet back on yet. Though she still wore the clothes of her male persona, she clearly appreciated feeling like herself for the first time in weeks. Revealing herself to Heath had to have been scary, but also liberating.
Heath had assured her that with the wards up, even someone trying to peep through the windows wouldn’t have a clear view of her. She was safe here.
If she had bonded a complete stranger, there would be a longer adjustment period, and more complications.
An added advantage was that Heath’s house was outside of town, with few neighbors.
It was private enough that they could meet here to strategize and get to know each other without drawing unwanted attention.
Having another person who was aware of the truth helping search for Charlie was an obvious benefit. Heath could have ideas they hadn’t considered. The missing students might not be connected to Charlie, but it was possible, and he and Clarke hadn’t known about that mystery until today.
It went without saying that he and Clarke would help Heath protect the students, and solve the mysteries on his board. They could put their heads together on that another time.
If students were being targeted at the regional tournament, they had months to plan. One way or another, Clarke would still be here through the end of the school year even if Charlie had been found before then.
Jace reached out to hold one of Clarke’s hands, and laced their fingers together. She was still off kilter from bonding Heath, and the upsetting discovery that graduates from several colleges were missing. He hoped that his presence would help ground her.
Clarke squeezed his fingers in silent gratitude, and sent him a small, fleeting smile. After taking a breath, she recounted everything in detail, beginning with the day Charlie failed to return from his fishing trip.
Suddenly, Heath sat up straight, looking excited, and he held up a hand in a wordless request for Clarke to pause.
“Wait, you said Charlie’s car was found abandoned at a rest stop?” Heath asked. “Do you know the interstate and mile marker off-hand?”
They both knew that because Jace had been making inquiries for her with the police, in hopes of learning something. With building hope, Jace rattled off the pertinent information. Heath had a reason for asking that.
Jumping out of his chair, Heath picked up a tablet from the coffee table, and began tapping the screen. His eyes scanned whatever he was looking at.
“There it is,” Heath said with satisfaction as he set the tablet down. “Damn.”
Clarke was staring at Heath with the same fragile hope Jace was feeling. “What did you find?” Clarke asked breathlessly, clenching Jace’s fingers with hers.
Heath walked back to sit in the chair facing them.
“I’m sorry to say that I still have no idea where Charlie is.
However, I do think I know why he went missing, and what happened.
One of the things I was trying to find answers for is the disappearance of Dr. Lauren Prentiss, who is a member of the faculty at the Denver Institute of Evolved Studies.
I wondered whether or not there is a connection between her and the missing students. ”
He recognized her name from the whiteboard, but those mysteries weren’t his priority right now. Jace made an effort to be patient, and listen. Heath had to have a reason for droning on about a random woman they had never heard of before.
“Dr. Prentiss purchased a ticket for a seat on a luxury tour bus to Pittsburgh,” Heath continued.
“She was last seen at the same rest stop Charlie’s car was found at, on the same day.
From what you said, Clarke, it sounds like they were there at approximately the same time, as well.
I am guessing that Charlie tried to stop the abduction of Dr. Lauren Prentiss, or was taken by her kidnappers because he was a witness. ”
Clarke gasped. “That’s exactly what Charlie would have done,” Jace said. “He’s not the type to turn away from someone in trouble.”
“And Dad would have known, just by looking at them, that something was wrong, possibly what they were planning,” Clarke said, then continued at Heath’s look of confusion.
“Dad reads auras. He can detect a wide range of feelings, from intense to mild. He would have seen her fear, or the harmful intent of the kidnappers, and tried to stop it.”
“The police don’t have any leads on either case, but they are also searching for them separately,” Heath said. “And we now know the two are connected. Dr. Prentis volunteers at zoos every summer. She is well known throughout the Republic.”
“You think it might be easier to get a lead on Dr. Prentis, since she’s recognizable,” Jace commented. “And if we find her, we’ll find Charlie.”
“I don’t know how easy it will be, since the police have to be scouring the continent for her,” Heath cautioned. “But yes, they are probably in the same place, wherever that is. We have another direction to look in for answers, and more options to explore. That can only be a good thing.”
“Good point. I’m still working out how to call my visions, and have only had two that pertain to Dad,” Clarke said. “Maybe focusing on Dr. Prentis will give us another lead.”
“It can’t hurt,” Jace said encouragingly.
They still didn’t have a direction to look in for Charlie, or clues to who was behind this. Jace was feeling very positive in spite of that.
Not only did they have proof that Clarke’s most recent vision was accurate for her peace of mind, but Heath was innocent. That was a relief to Jace. Having some idea what had happened also helped. They had part of the picture now.
“Clarke, you asked if we knew someone who had information that could help us understand what happened to Charlie. Is that right? Was that the exact question?” Jace wondered as something occurred to him.
“Yeah, that was it, verbatim,” Clarke confirmed. “And that vision was thanks to you. Focusing on finding clues to Dad’s whereabouts wasn’t getting results. You suggested asking different questions, or rephrasing them.”
“What popped into my head here, is that the wording may be important,” Jace said. “Heath is someone we know. His information told us what probably happened to Charlie.”
“But I’m not involved in what happened at that rest stop.
I just knew about it from the research Nadine and I have done on Lauren Prentis.
We need to know who has Charlie, and where he is,” Heath said in a considering tone.
“You think we should compose a list of questions, and see what kind of inquiries get the best results. I also have thoughts of things to try. Clarke, would you mind if I make a list, and write down possible questions for you to focus on?”
“No, please do,” she said. “This is such a personal topic for me, that half the time I can’t think straight.
I didn’t even realize until Jace pointed it out that my vision was such a literal answer to my question.
If I hadn’t specified someone we knew, I still may have received a vision, but one completely different. The wording is important.”
“Now that we know that, we can pay attention to phrasing, and specifics,” Heath mentioned, and it made sense. Clarke’s visions were the best resource they had.
“You said you have ideas of other things to try, Heath,” Jace said. “Did you mean alternate ways for Clarke to call visions?”
“Sort of,” Heath responded. “It crossed my mind that Clarke’s power may be versatile. Strong powers can often, in fact usually, do more than one thing, and her power is very strong. If that’s the case here, she won’t be limited to visions that require spending a minimum of an hour in a trance.”
Clarke looked very curious, and interested. “I’m willing to try. Can you elaborate?”
“I don’t think today is a good time to experiment.
We should all absorb the revelations, and come at this with fresh, well-rested minds, possibly Sunday, if that works for the two of you,” Heath said.
“My thought was to lead you into a meditative state while you hold a pencil and pad of paper. Jace or I will ask a variety of questions, and see if your ability provides answers.”
Clarke looked at Heath like she was having an epiphany. “Why didn’t I think of that?”
“What is it?” Jace asked.
“I had my first vision when I was six,” Clarke told them.
“Mom had bought me an easel, and a set of watercolor paints. She was on the phone with a friend, talking about a neighbor’s missing dog.
I painted what happened to the dog, meaning my power does respond to outside suggestions.
It’s been years since I thought about that, but this might work. ”
“It’s definitely worth exploring,” Jace agreed. “Heath is also right that it’s been a long day with a lot of surprises. Sunday is good for me, if that works for you, Clarke.”
“Yeah, I’m fine with that,” she said. “We’d better get back, so we’re in the dorms when the boys finish their movie night.”
“I’ll get started on a list of questions, and text 007 on Sunday,” Heath said.
Clarke smirked, finding the nickname amusing. Jace didn’t mind. That was just Heath’s sense of humor, and it was fitting.
With a look of resignation, Clarke put the charm bracelet back on. They donned the jumpsuits, and Heath walked them to the door. Clarke was quiet as they mounted the bike, and waved to Heath, who stood on the front porch.
Motorcycle rides weren’t conducive to conversation, but Clarke remained silent until she exited the bathroom in the public park where they had left her car.
“Are you leaving the bike here?” Clarke asked as she handed him the folded jumpsuit and helmet.
“Yeah, I borrowed it from a friend,” Jace said. “He’ll pick it up in a couple of hours.”
“Does this friend know you were using it to commit assault?” Clarke asked with a wicked gleam in her eyes.
“Excuse me,” Jace said, pretending to be offended.
“I detained a citizen briefly, then released him. Seriously, though, I wouldn’t have borrowed it if there was a chance Stan could be implicated in something illegal.
Heath would have recognized either of our cars parked at the nature preserve.
The bike was the best option for several reasons. ”
“Oh, it was a good plan. The suits and helmets worked perfectly for a disguise,” Clarke said as they climbed into her car.
She fastened her seatbelt, and shifted to reverse before speaking again.
“Are you really as calm as you seem to be about the Heath thing? You’re handling me bonding him better than I am.
I envy that, and find it mildly irritating at the same time. ”
Clarke cast him a playful, mocking glare. She sounded more rueful than serious.
“Did you expect me to be upset?” Jace asked.
“I didn’t expect any of this. I’m still trying to process all of it,” she said.
“Heath is a good person, whom I like. The two of you have a lot in common, so it makes sense that you would bond each other,” Jace said.
“I knew you had at least one more mate. The way I see it, this is the best-case scenario. His house is private, in a rural area. Heath is smart, and already thinking of ways to find Charlie, and rescue him. It could be so much worse. I’m focusing on the positives, here.
“If you bonded some random guy you ran into in Clementine, there could be a lot of complications, and a longer adjustment period for both of us. Trying to nurture the bond could risk your disguise, and everything we’ve been working toward.
And that would be after explaining that you aren’t a man, and asking him to keep his mouth shut about it.
“So, yeah. I’m happy and relieved that it’s Heath.”
“When you put it that way, it does make sense. If you were angry and jealous, I’d feel guilty, and stress over this. You’re the best mate, Jace. I’m so lucky to have you,” Clarke said earnestly.
Jace’s left hand was resting on her knee, and he squeezed it. “That goes both ways, Princess Primrose. I got lucky, too.”
Clarke pulled up to the curb by the backdoor of the shifter dorm. “I love you. Have a good night,” she said.
He wanted to kiss her so bad, it took an effort of will not to lean over, and brush his lips against hers. But he didn’t know how much the shifters would be able to see if any of them were looking out the window.
“Love you, too. Sleep well. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Jace said as he stepped out of the car, grabbing the duffel and helmets from the backseat. “Try not to stress. Everything will work out.”
“With you and Heath both on my side and helping, I’m starting to believe that,” Clarke said.
Jace closed the doors and waved. He waited until Clarke parked in the lot behind the powered dorm, and was safely inside the building before entering his own dorm.