Chapter 765

Glancing at his watch, Nate realized it was nearing midnight. His fingers hovered for a moment before he dialed Keira’s number.

“Keira, is Lena with you?”

“No… why?” Keira’s voice was thick with sleep, but her tone sharpened. “What’s going on? You can’t find Lena?”

“I just finished up, but I can’t reach her. Maybe she’s home,” Nate replied, keeping his voice steady before quickly ending the call.

Next, he dialed Lena’s dad. He and Mr. Lane had exchanged numbers during a previous visit, so he knew it was worth a shot.

“Nate, what’s up?” Mr. Lane’s voice answered, groggy.

“Has Lena come home?” Nate kept his tone light.

“No, she hasn’t been home in a while. Why? Did something happen? You two fight?” Mr. Lane sounded casual.

“No, no fight. I just got back today,” Nate said quickly, but Mr. Lane wasn’t fooled. He could tell Nate wouldn’t have called unless he was desperate.

After a few pointed questions, Nate cracked.

“This is serious!” Mr. Lane’s voice went razor-sharp. “If something’s happened to my daughter, how could you not tell me right away?!”

Nate froze, stammering, “She was fine when I last saw her… at the hospital.”

“I don’t care where you last saw her! I care where she is NOW!” Mr. Lane snapped, slamming the phone down.

Mrs. Lane stirred. “What’s going on with Lena?” she asked, her voice tight.

Mr. Lane didn’t answer at first, redialing Lena’s phone. Still nothing. He finally turned to his wife, grim. “She’s not at the hospital, not home, and we can’t reach her.”

“Keira,” Mrs. Lane said quickly. “They’re close. Maybe she went to see her?”

Without a word, Mr. Lane dialed Keira’s number.

Chapter 766

For some reason, I’d been extra tired tonight. Nate’s call barely registered – I just rolled over and went back to sleep. But when Mr. Lane called, the grogginess disappeared instantly.

“No, I haven’t seen Lena,” I said, sitting up. “I’m at Cloudscape Monastery.”

Silence.

“Mr. Lane?” I pressed, my stomach twisting. “What’s going on? Is something wrong with Lena?”

His voice came back heavy, edged with panic. “We can’t find her. Her phone’s off.”

“Maybe she’s asleep?” I offered, but even as I said it, I knew better. Lena was the lightest sleeper I’d ever met. She always kept her phone by her bed, ready for emergencies. A single buzz could wake her, so this? This wasn’t normal.

“I’ll keep looking,” Mr. Lane said, his voice tight. “Keira, if you think of anyone she might be with, call them.”

I agreed, but my gut was already screaming.

I called Lena’s number twice. Straight to voicemail. Reached out to her hospital – nothing. Lena wouldn’t just disappear. Then I remembered that snake package she got the other day. A cold knot formed in my chest.

Without wasting another second, I dialed Cole. Even though it was late, I knew Cole thrived on nightlife. If anyone was still up, it’d be him.

The phone rang forever before he finally picked up, sounding lazy and annoyed. “Keira, are you out of your mind? Calling me now? If I lose my rhythm in bed, are you planning to make it up to me?”

I bit back a curse, forcing myself to stay focused. “Where’s Lena?”