Chapter Thirty-five

Alison turned in her sleep, realizing the space next to her was cold. Rafe wasn't there.

She could faintly hear someone milling about. What was he doing now? She wanted him back next to her. Without opening her eyes she said, her voice teasing, "Get back to bed."

"Alison." A voice called out. It was clear it wasn't Rafe.

"Lucy?" she replied as she sat up, rubbing sleep from her eyes.

"Hi." Lucy replied, her voice low. She moved toward the bed, carrying a mug of tea. She sat down beside her.

Panic began to coarse through Alison's veins. "No!" she cried, her eyes filling up. "Lucy. Where is he?" She moved to get out of bed.

"Shh. Sweetie. It's OK. He's fine. He just didn't want you to wake up alone so he called me. He knew you'd be upset." Lucy held Alison still and stroked her hair. The poor girl was still half asleep.

Alison took a deep breath and sighed, Lucy's words finally registering. Rafe hadn't left her. He was OK.

"Where is he, Lucy?" Alison asked, her voice unbelievably sad. "Who is he fighting now?"

Lucy didn't meet Alison's eyes. "Alison, it will all be alright. Really it will. Don't make yourself upset. It's not good for the baby."

She took another deep breath and tried to calm down. She knew that wherever he was - if it was important enough for Rafe to call Lucy - there was no way this news would be good.

"Where is he, Lucy? What's happening? C'mon. You have to tell me."

Lucy took Alison's hand before she answered. "It's Abby - sweetie. She's missing."

"What? That's impossible." Alison shook her head, not believing a word.

"Rafe could sense something was wrong. He was going to check it out and wanted Abby to tag along. He went to get her and she wasn't home. It doesn't look like she's been there since yesterday."

"Lucy. This can't be. Why? Who would want anything from her? She's only been here a few months. She doesn't have any enemies."

Lucy just looked back, sadly.

"But we do - don't we?" Alison answered her own question. She got up to pace, placing a hand protectively over her stomach almost involuntarily. "Caleb."

"Yeah." Lucy said as she crossed the room to give her a hug. "Rafe thinks so."

*******************

Rafe paced near the very bench Abby had met Caleb a day ago, calling out to Caleb in his mind. He suddenly felt his presence behind him. Turning around slowly he asked, his voice full of fury, "Where is she?"

"Hello to you too, slayer. Didn't your mother teach you any manners?" Caleb answered/

Rafe wasn't amused. "Cut it out. You've done something to Abby and I want to know what."

"She's fine. Resting comfortably. I can assure you of that."

"Glad to hear it. Now. Tell me where to find her so I can take her home." Rafe demanded.

"As much as I'd love to help you, slayer - I just can't do that." Caleb replied as he turned away.

Rafe suddenly appeared right in front of him. Caleb realized that he wasn't in the mood to play around. "Oh yes. You can - more importantly - you will."

"Do you even know what's going on here?" Caleb asked.

"Why don't you tell me?" Rafe narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest as he stood before him.

"Your sweet little sister-in-law has something of mine. She thinks she can keep it. I'm simply trying to change her mind. Until I do, she's somewhere where I can persuade her uninterrupted."

Rafe was shocked. "Abby has the ring?"

Caleb was too. It actually seemed that Abby was acting alone. Rafe clearly had had no idea she had the ring. "Interesting. Here she marries into a family with a built in crime fighter and she keeps him in the dark. I have to say, that Abigail. She intrigues me more every second."

Rafe began to shake with rage. "If you hurt her…"

Caleb laughed out loud. "What Rafe? What will you do? Kill me? That's a good idea. You'll never find her that way and oh yeah - you won't see your first child be born. Nice set of priorities."

His words made Rafe pause, but just for a moment. He couldn't even imagine leaving Alison to go through all that alone. "Caleb. This balance thing? You've got it all wrong. The fact that we need to coexist does not give you the power to do whatever you want. Keep on believing that. I can't wait to prove you wrong."

"Look Rafe. I'll tell the damsel you came to save her, but believe me - she's fine. When she gives me back what's mine I'll send her right home. In the meantime - find someone else to sell your smoothies at the gym. Abigail's taking a little vacation."

Rafe was completely frustrated. He felt as if his hands were tied. How could he go home and tell Alison he didn't find her sister? He needed some time to figure out a plan. He knew he wouldn't get anything from Caleb tonight, but wanted to make his point clear. "Caleb, I swear. If you hurt her - I'll find a way to destroy you. I promise you that."

Caleb had had enough. He began to walk away. "Go home to your wife, slayer. Abby's safe with me."

"No one is safe with you vampire. No one." Rafe called after him.

"And that is something I wish all you mortals would remember." Caleb shot back before he vanished.