James opened his eyes as the sun began to rise over his beloved Carlisle Manor and shone through thick glass windows in his room. He rolled over to face Ally, but she was gone.
He frowned and checked the clock next to his bed. “Five in the morning,” he said aloud with a strange curiosity. “What’s she doing up at this time? She hates early mornings.”
He reached out with his mind to find her, but he hit a wall. His frowned deepened and his heart did a quick flip. He tried again, the silver line went outwards searching, and connecting then slammed into the wall again.
Is she blocking me?
He quickly got up, threw on some jeans and a blue shirt before he dashed out into the dimly lit house. Everyone slept peacefully; he heard the snores and soft breathing as he passed bedrooms and walked down the stairs to the lounge. He looked for an empty coffee mug, a book or even a newspaper left lying around, but there was nothing to indicate she’d been here. Next, he tried the kitchen, but once again there was no trace of anyone being there this morning. Sophie hadn’t even risen yet.
James walked over to the double doors and looked outside but she wasn’t on the balcony. The cold sweat started to creep its way all over his body and his stomach began to churn with nerves.
Where are you, Ally?
The sound of a horse whinny caught his attention.
Riding! Maybe she went out for a ride on Destiny?
With a desperate hope he sprinted down to the stables and almost knocked Logan off his feet.
“James?” Logan questioned after he regained his footing. “What’s the matter? You don’t look right.”
“It’s nothing I hope,” he replied as he ran his hands through his hair. “It’s Ally. I can’t find her. Have you seen her this morning? Has Destiny been ridden?”
Logan shook his head. “Not this morning.”
“Dammit,” James cursed. His heart leapt into his throat and his stomach dropped. The cold sweat had turned into a real bone deep fear.
“Oh God,” Logan turned pale as the truth of what was going on hit him. “It’s happened hasn’t it? Whatever that gypsy woman was saying?”
James gave a sharp nod. “I think so, but I don’t know for sure. I wish…oh God I hope she’s just wandered off somewhere on the property. But I think it’s more than that. I can’t connect with her.”
“You mean the…” Logan pointed to his head. “The mind thing.”
Despite the situation, James could have almost laughed at Logan. That sounded just like something Ally had said to him at one point. “Yes, the mind thing.”
Logan frowned in thought for a moment. “Have you searched the grounds yet?”
“No, that’s the only place left for me to look.”
“Right,” Logan said. “You search the grounds and I’ll go wake up the others.”
James nodded distractedly.
Logan put a hand on his friend and employers shoulder. “We’ll find her James.”
James gave a small nod. “I’ll go and check the waterfall as well.”
He sped off in a blur and looked in every direction trying to catch her scent or a sign that she had been in the area, but there was nothing. At times he could’ve sworn he’d picked up on something, it just disappeared into thin air. Something was completely wrong. If she had been taken from the grounds, she should have left a trail of some sort for him to follow. Her scent or even his gut instinct should lead him to her, but no. Deciding he would find nothing on the grounds, he ran to the waterfall.
The crashing water filled his ears as he ran down the green slope towards the rock she liked to sit on near the edge of the running stream. He almost closed his eyes not wanting to know if she was there or not. This was his last hope. If she wasn’t here, then she was gone. His stomach clenched in protest and his heart skipped a beat.
A deep breath filled his lungs in anticipation as he got closer.
Would his love be there waiting for him with a smile on her beautiful mouth and a twinkle in her eyes or would there be nothing but emptiness awaiting him.
Please be there Ally.
He ran faster and faster until a woman started to come into view…but it wasn’t his beloved Ally that awaited him at the waterfall.