Illumined Shadows (Treble and the Lost Boys Book 3)

by G. R. Lyons

  Knowing their history, Colby could hardly blame them.

  Though it meant, for the time being, he was truly home alone with the dogs, not even Cam's presence to make the house not seem quite so empty.

  Colby could just wait and let Vic get the mail when he got home, but he wanted to do something for Vic. Something to cheer him up, to make him proud.

  And facing his fears might be just the thing.

  Colby darted into his room and dressed in all his extra layers, zipping his hoodie all the way up and then pulling on his socks and shoes. Feeling better armed, he got out the dogs' leashes and headed for the front door.

  Patches jumped around so much that it was all Colby could do to pin the dog down long enough to get the leash clipped to her collar. Sharma was much easier, sitting there quietly and wagging his tail. The short walk hardly justified the extra effort, and the dogs would probably be confused to just be turning right back around again once they reached the curb, but Colby needed that extra layer of protection. Maybe, someday, he could go out there alone. For now, he wasn't sure he could get through it without the dogs at his side.

  Colby flipped the lock, closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and opened the door. He turned to grab the leads, but Patches bolted before he could get a secure hold.

  “Patches!” Colby yelled. He watched in horror as the dog took off down the walk, stopping here and there as various smells distracted it but still hurrying away.

  Colby didn't think. He ran out after her, yelling over his shoulder, “Sharma, stay!”

  The big dog whined, but sat down right in the middle of the doorway, wagging his tail and watching as Colby took off toward the street, hoping to catch Patches in time.

  They reached the sidewalk, and Colby almost caught up when Patches caught sight of something and sprinted off to the next yard. Colby went after her, gasping for breath before they were halfway to the intersection. The little dog sprang from yard to yard, stopping to smell one thing only to jump up and dart off again. Colby had to catch her.

  If anything happened to Patches, Cam would be devastated.

  * * *

  VIC FELT Cam's presence the moment he got into his car.

  “Hey, kiddo.” Vic pulled his brother in for a hug when the ghost leaned against him. “Missed you.”

  Cam dug a notepad out of the console. Missed you, too. Almost came with you on this one, actually.

  Vic's eyebrows went up. “Yeah?”

  Couldn't quite do it at the last minute, but…maybe someday?

  “Hey.” Vic gave his brother a squeeze. “You have nothing to prove to me, alright?”

  I know. But…maybe…to myself? I'm tired of being scared all the time, Vic. Not being able to face it all. Cam paused, then went on: I know I'm not ready to face Dad any time soon, but the rest of it? Maybe it would be good for me to finally go on a case with you.

  Vic smiled, then kissed the top of Cam's head. “You are such a tough kid, you know that?”

  Thanks. Cam moved the pen about indecisively for a moment, then wrote, I think I wanna go face Jarvis.

  Vic froze. He'd been trying so hard to forget that Logan Jarvis even existed in the world, that Cam's attacker was out there somewhere, walking around freely, as though nothing had happened.

  “If that's what you want,” Vic finally said.

  You don't have to come with me if you're not ready.

  “I didn't say I wasn't–” Vic hurried to protest, but Cam cut him off.

  It's all over your face, Vic. And that's fine. I can find him and face him on my own, I think.

  Vic shook his head, but he didn't say anything. Was he really that much of a coward that he couldn't bring himself to face his brother's attacker?

  Gods. Maybe he was. He'd put it off long enough.

  I'm sorry, Cam wrote. Let's not talk about this now. I'm sure you're dying to get home, and I know Colby misses you.

  Vic blew out a breath, and smiled. “Yeah.” He gave Cam another squeeze, and reached over to switch on the car. “And gods know what Patches is up to with you not there to keep her occupied.”

  He felt Cam laugh, then his brother shifted aside so Vic could select their destination from the nav screen and get the car on the road.

  Vic switched on the autopilot in case Cam wanted to talk, but his brother continued silent, leaning casually against him. Despite his disappointment over not really being able to help Hunter and his worries about Cam wanting to face Logan Jarvis, Vic found himself smiling at the sensation of having his brother near. He took a deep breath, and let it out on a sigh, so glad to be going home.

  Cam tapped him on the arm to get his attention. I've always loved that tree. I can't believe how big it's gotten.

  Vic looked out as the car crossed a stone bridge over a river that ran through part of Morbran City. Along the banks, the row of lamp posts gave way to an enormous weeping willow tree, the pendulous branches trailing down to the water's surface. When they were kids, Vic and Cam used to play at hiding out under that tree even though the branches hadn't hung low enough at the time to properly conceal them. Now, though, it looked like they could have crawled under there and gone entirely unnoticed by anyone passing by.

  It was so beautiful. And it was right there, easy to see, probably passed by all the time, yet Vic had stopped noticing.

  He straightened in his seat and looked all around, taking in the idyllic beauty of his hometown. How long had it been since he'd truly appreciated such things? He imagined Colby going about and gaping in quiet awe of the trees and the stonework that made up this storybook village, just as the boy had taken in Vic's backyard. Such a simple thing, yet it had given Colby hours of pleasure. Vic grinned as he imagined some future day when he could take the boy on a tour of the town, picturing that lovely face and those big eyes taking in all the lush intricacies around them, almost hearing Colby's every soft gasp when he discovered some new, wonderful thing. Vic could show him that very tree. Or take him through one of the parks. Or walk him through the stunning, ancient buildings of Denmer University, the heart of Morbran City.

  He could tell Colby about the city's founders, Gabriel Morbran and Evan Sturmwyn, and how they opened a home for disowned children, the home ultimately developing into a school which later expanded into Denmer University, the city itself spreading out all around it, the various developers replicating the original architecture and preserving the area's charm, creating—in Vic's opinion—one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

  How had he lost sight of that? How had he ever come to take it all for granted?

  With Colby in his life now, he doubted he ever would again.

  “So beautiful,” he murmured.

  Cam nodded against him.

  The more they passed, the more things Vic found that he wanted to show Colby someday. He'd have to be patient. The poor boy was barely able to make it out to the backyard, and their one trip to Roz's store had taken a lot of coaxing, neither of which involved too many strangers. Still, it was possible. One day, they might be able to walk through downtown, hand in hand, just enjoying the sights and the fresh air.

  What are you thinking about?

  Vic blinked and read the words again. “What do you mean?”

  You've got this sappy smile on your face.

  Vic felt himself blush and looked away, clearing his throat.

  You can say it, you know. It won't bother me.

  “Say what?”

  You love him.

  Vic stared at the words. “Cam…”

  What? You do. It's obvious. And I'm happy for you. Honestly. I mean it.

  “Cam–”

  I think, given time, he might be able to love you, too.

  Vic looked away, shaking his head and cursing himself. Stupid to let his mind wander to such beautiful dreams, because that was all they could ever be.

  Hey, don't be like that. You can be happy, Vic. I want you to be happy. And I want him to be happy.

  Vic fro
wned. Could he have that? Could he really, truly have such a thing?

  “I–”

  He broke off, staring out the front windscreen as the car neared the house and pulled into the driveway. The front door was ajar, and Sharma sat in the opening, staring out and wagging his tail.

  The hells? Cam scribbled out.

  “I have no idea,” Vic said, slamming down the brake before the car could even reach the garage. He switched off the car and got out, running to the front door. “Colby?”

  Sharma was up on his feet and jumped aside as Vic barreled into the house.

  “Colby?” Vic called.

  Vic raced through the house, yelling Colby's name over and over. His blood roared in his ears as he checked and rechecked every room, not wanting to believe that the boy wasn't there.

  “Colby!” He checked all through the backyard, then ran back into the house and stopped in the middle of the living room, panting. “Cam?”

  A notepad flew off the end table. I don't see him anywhere.

  “Can you feel him?”

  Hang on.

  Vic kept trying to catch his breath, his heart racing as he stared at the idle pen for several long, tense seconds.

  Finally, Cam wrote, I'm so sorry. It's too faint. I don't have a strong enough connection to him yet to go straight to him.

  “Shit,” Vic breathed.

  I'm so sorry–

  “No, it's not your fault,” Vic rushed to assure him. He looked all around again, then grabbed his phone.

  Ryley answered on the first ring. “Hey, babe. How–”

  “I need your help,” Vic gasped.

  “Where are you?” Ryley asked, his tone all business.

  “At home. I–”

  “Hang on.” Static came over the line right before the call clicked off, and Vic just started to lower his phone to dial again when Ryley appeared right before him. “Babe? What's wrong?”

  “Colby's gone.”

  “What?” Ryley gasped. “Shit. Why? Where?”

  “I don't know.” Vic's heart started to race again, his hands shaking so much that he almost dropped his phone, images of finding Cam's body bombarding his mind. If anything like that had happened to Colby…

  “Vic,” Ryley snapped, then grabbed him by the arms. “Breathe. Alright? I know you're worried, but we'll find him.”

  “But he never leaves the house,” Vic said, pulling away and pacing the living room. “He wouldn't–”

  Ryley looked at the door. “Hang on.”

  “What?”

  Vic followed him to the entryway, and blinked dumbly as he watched Ryley bend down and grab the end of Sharma's leash. The dog was still standing there, never moving away from the open door.

  “Why…” Ryley started to ask.

  Vic looked all around. “Patches is gone.”

  “What?”

  “Cam's dog.”

  Sharma whined and fidgeted by the door.

  “Where's Colby, boy?” Ryley asked.

  Sharma barked and took a step toward the door, then looked back at them.

  Ryley looked up at Vic. “Worth a shot.”

  Vic sucked in a breath, gave a sharp nod, and followed Ryley out the door, taking over Sharma's leash as soon as they were on the sidewalk.

  Sharma tugged them down the street, straining against the leash with all his might, veering off and sniffing the ground only to charge forward again.

  “We'll find him, Vic,” Ryley assured him. “It's gonna be alright.”

  Vic gave him a tight nod, but never took his eyes off the dog. They had to find Colby. He wasn't sure he would survive it if they didn't.

  Chapter 23

  COLBY GASPED for breath, but kept running. He kept almost reaching Patches, only for the dog to sprint off again, her attention caught by some new thing.

  Heart racing, lungs burning, muscles aching, Colby kept going. He wasn't going to let anything happen to Patches. Not if he could help it. Cam had wanted that dog so badly, and always looked so happy whenever he played with it. Colby couldn't bear to see the devastation on the ghost's face if the dog got lost or hurt, especially after everything else Cam had suffered in his life.

  Patches stopped and sniffed around in a garden bed. Colby felt a moment of relief and sprang forward, only for the dog to get distracted by something else and take off again.

  Colby let out a cry and followed. He wasn't sure how much longer he could go on—he'd never run like that before, not ever—and his strength was quickly giving out. But he couldn't stop. He couldn't let Cam down. And Vic would be hurt if Cam was hurt.

  There was no way Colby could let that happen.

  He pushed on, his feet screaming with pain and his heart feeling like it might burst out of his chest. They raced down one street, then another. Then another still.

  Patches turned and darted through an intersection, just barely missing a passing car, the first Colby had seen. Colby lurched to a stop and threw his arms up, cringing back, then peeked out and gasped with relief when he saw Patches just sneak by and hurry down the sidewalk. The car only veered slightly and continued on, paying them no mind.

  Colby kept running. Even as tears of despair started flowing down his cheeks, he kept going. He wasn't going to stop until Patches was safely within his grasp.

  The dog started to veer into the street again, then darted the other way at the last moment, diving into a hedge. A moment later, it popped back out and continued on down the sidewalk, slowing a bit to sniff around and then speeding up again, then sniffing around once more. Five times, Colby almost reached her, only for the dog to pull ahead.

  “Patches!” Colby cried, the name coming out as little better than a desperate gasp.

  Finally, the dog veered off, sniffed around for a moment, and stopped, squatting down to relieve itself.

  Colby sucked in a breath, put on a burst of speed, and stumbled to a stop with his foot planted on the end of the leash just as Patches was about to take off again.

  Gasping for air, Colby dropped to his knees and clutched the leash in both hands, reeling the dog in and then gathering it up in his arms, his whole body shaking as he held it tight. He wrapped the end of the leash around his wrist, and held the dog tighter. It wasn't getting away again. Not if he could help it.

  Once his heart wasn't racing quite so badly and his breath began to slow, Colby stood up, his tired legs and sore feet protesting the movement. But he had to get home.

  And as he turned around to find the way, he realized he was horribly, hopelessly lost.

  * * *

  VIC CURSED under his breath. Sharma kept running in odd directions, following Colby's trail, when all Vic wanted to do was run straight to his boy. But Colby could be anywhere. He tried not to panic, but the uncertainty was killing him.

  “What if we don't find him?” Vic asked, glancing at Ryley, who jogged along at his side. “What if–”

  “Don't think like that,” Ryley said, reaching over and giving Vic's arm a squeeze. “I'm sure he's fine.”

  Vic opened his mouth to argue, then decided against it. All sorts of horrible images ran through his mind. What if Colby was lost? What if he'd been hit by a car? What if he'd fallen somewhere and couldn't call out for help?

  What if he'd been taken?

  It was that same panic from fifteen years ago, that same desperation that had fueled him for two days straight as he tried to find Cam. How could it all be happening again? How could he once more be wildly searching for someone he loved?

  And his sixth sense was failing him. He almost always managed to find whomever he was looking for with little effort, but even following Sharma, he couldn't seem to tap into whatever inexplicable gift he had for tracking someone down, right when he needed it most.

  Maybe he was just too panicked. Too frantic to be rational. But he couldn't calm his mind long enough to think straight. He had to get his sweet boy back. He had to.

  He looked at Ryley. “Is there any kind of…spell,
or…”

  Ryley frowned in thought, then shook his head. “Maybe? I know there are tracking spells, but they only work when you place a tracker on something so you can find it later.”

  Shit. So much for that idea.

  “I can jump over to Jadu'n real quick and ask–” Ryley started to offer.

  “No, not yet,” Vic panted, and nodded at Sharma. “Let's keep looking.”

  Ryley nodded. “We'll find him, Vic. I know we will.”

  Vic pressed his mouth into a grim line. He was too worried to be hopeful. Not yet. Colby was out there, somewhere, probably scared out of his mind and all alone. Vic had to find him.

  Sharma darted across the street, and Vic followed.

  * * *

  COLBY HELD Patches to his chest as he walked down the street. His chest heaved and his heart raced, his eyes wide as he looked around, trying to find his way, but he didn't recognize a single thing.

  And why would he? He'd only left the house once, and hadn't looked out to see where they were going. The world was so big and scary. And now he was somewhere in it, with no idea how to get back to the safety of home.

  Of Vic.

  Maybe Vic would find him. Colby tried to hold on to that thought. If he couldn't find his own way home, maybe Vic would get back to see Colby wasn't there, and would come out looking for him. But how would Vic find him? Everything was so big, and went in so many directions. Where would he start? How could they ever possibly find one another?

  “No,” he cried, shaking his head and feeling more tears on his cheeks. He had to get home. Somehow, he had to make it there. He couldn't bear the thought of never seeing Vic again.

  Especially since it meant being out in the world where Bad Man could find him.

  As though his thoughts had conjured him up, the ghost suddenly appeared right in front of him.

  Colby cried out and jumped back, clinging to Patches and ducking his head.

  “Boy…”

  Colby whimpered, backing away.

  Bad Man came after him, a cruel sneer on his face.

  “No!” Colby cried, stumbling over something and almost falling down. He caught himself and backed up again. “Stay away!”

  “Boy…”