Damien’s heart thudded in his chest as he stared at Gray and Alexander. “What do you mean she’s gone?”
Having just returned triumphant with Michael after retrieving Celine’s portrait from 1791, he stood stunned by the news that Celine was missing.
“I told you,” Gray answered. “No one has seen or heard from Celine in almost a week. Since the night she sent you back to 1791. She hasn’t called, texted, or come home. We can’t find her. She’s gone.”
Damien stalked a few steps away, disbelief on his face. Michael approached him, putting a steadying hand on his shoulder.
“I realize this is difficult to hear, Damien,” Alexander began, his British accent still strong despite the centuries of life in America.
“Difficult to hear?” Damien interrupted, incredulous at the comment. “Difficult to hear? No, difficult to hear is ‘you lost your job’ or ‘I’m leaving you for your brother.’ No, this isn’t difficult to hear this is… this is… incomprehensible!” Damien raked a shaky hand through his brown hair.
“Damien, please,” Alexander replied. “You’ve been through quite a bit. You’re tired and upset. Why don’t we…”
Damien spun to face him. “Upset? You’re damn right I’m upset!”
“Hey, Damien,” Michael said, squeezing his shoulder. “We’ll find her, man. Let’s go grab a drink and discuss this.”
“Grab a drink? Are you serious? This isn’t a case of a lost set of keys or a misplaced article of clothing! Celine is gone! For a week! We need to be out there searching for her, finding her!”
“Don’t you think we’ve tried that?” Gray questioned.
“I have no idea what you’ve done!” Damien snapped. “When was the last time she was seen? By whom? Where could she have gone? And why?”
“I agree with Michael,” Alexander stated. “Why don’t we reconvene in the sitting room. We can discuss the details there.”
Damien threw his arms in the air in frustration.
“There is nothing to do right now, Damien. Michael is correct, we will find her, but it will not be tonight. And it will not be by executing an ill-conceived plan.”
Damien sighed, nodding his head. “All right,” he assented, his voice just above a whisper as he stared at nothing.
“Come on, man,” Michael prompted him. “Let’s head down for that drink. We both can use one.”
“Damien,” Alexander said before they departed.
Damien twisted to look at him.
“We will find her.”
