Finally, I could hear Heath’s voice as he started to speak again. I couldn’t make out his words clearly. I heard Margo and I heard my name but not much else.

“When was the last time you talked to her?” Rathe asked, his hand tightening around mine.

“Catalina, can you see if you can find Margo on your phone app?” Rathe asked. He let go of my hand and I hurried over to get my phone and check it. I opened the app but all I could see was a notification that Margo was no longer sharing her location with me. She wouldn’t do that. Something wasn’t right.

“How long has she been gone?” I asked, spinning around to look at Rathe.

“Last time Heath saw her was yesterday when she went to work. He didn’t come back to the apartment last night. He, ah, stayed out and just got there. She wasn’t there and there was no sign she’d been back since she left for work yesterday. He can’t get her on the phone. It goes straight to voicemail.”

Panic ceased me. So many scenarios began flooding my thoughts. “Did he call her work?” I asked.

“It’s not yet seven in the morning, Catalina,” he reminded me.

“Oh. That’s right. What about an employee, boss, manager? Does he have any of their numbers?”

Rathe shook his head.

I had to find her. I could find her easily. This wasn’t like her. Something wasn’t right. I grabbed the tennis shoes I had on yesterday and headed for the door.

“Catalina, wait,” Rathe called out. He couldn’t come with me. I had to be alone. I didn’t have time to figure out how to use magic without him realizing what I was doing. I could find her faster if I was alone. There were two ways I could do this and I needed something of hers, but I had nothing with me. I’d have to go to the apartment. I had to get something.

She was okay. She had to be okay. Where had Heath been? Why would he not call in to check? Did he not check in with her when he stayed out at night? I grabbed my new car keys and images of terrible things kept flashing in my head so I began to run. I had to hurry. I was imagining the worst.

I unlocked the car door as I ran for it. When I got to the driver’s door, I jerked it open but I didn’t manage to get inside before Rathe’s body was behind me and I was being pulled back. “Passenger’s side. You’re too worked up to drive,” he said in my ear very calmly.

“I have to hurry, Rathe!” I cried.