What the Heart Seeks

Chapter 4-2

The front door of the Lewis house stood open as Dylan approached. Isaac and Dane leaned against the wall that separated the living room from the dining room. Past the archway, Dylan spotted Layne and Scott. They blocked Dylan’s view of the kitchen, as did Garrett and Nicholas.

Engrossed in a discussion he couldn’t hear, he ascended the porch steps and walked cautiously across the deck, not wanting to alert anyone to his presence yet. He hadn't prepared for any confrontations, except the one with his father. It would be difficult to contain his composure if Layne approached him. His former friend played his part in today’s events. He needn’t assume the innocent role.

If Dylan lost his cool, his new abilities would activate and bring chaos with them. His mother would make sure he didn’t see his dad. She had plenty of Keepers willing to carry out her orders.

He still couldn’t believe her intuition hadn’t warned her about his intentions. Maybe it had, but she was ignoring it. It was easier for her to believe he’d be the calm, rational man she raised him to be, not the stark-raving lunatic he was becoming.

As he hesitated near the door, he searched the living room for other faces. His mother and Spencer were following him, but he didn’t see Anna or Layla. Hope was missing, too. No female Seekers were in the room.

One female Seeker in particular would never set foot in this house again.

The Seeker he most longed to see was still nowhere in sight. Her chubby cheeks and chestnut curls weren’t there to lighten his heart. Before the night was over, he’d find his daughter. If Scott failed at his mission, Dylan would make sure no one ever found Adalyn and him again.

The unmistakable weight of a gaze had him peeking into the dining room. He scanned each person, unable to locate the culprit until he spotted Nicholas. Heaven’s father hadn’t left his spot near the kitchen door.

Was his former father-in-law reading his mind?

When the others noticed Nicholas shift his attention, they followed suit. By the time Dylan made his way into the house, everyone stared at him. Isaac’s stance turned rigid. Dane moved aside, then Layne came into view. Dylan tensed his muscles, ready to spar if Layne dished any s**t. Instead, Layne’s jaw thinned as he clenched his fist and turned toward the kitchen.

Scott strolled forward, as did Garrett. They met him near the table before Garrett motioned him forward. “It’s my turn to stand guard. I’ll accompany you and Scott.”

Dylan acknowledged him with a curt nod before glancing at his friend. Scott was using his abilities. The fact Dylan could stand near Layne was proof. Would it be enough to keep him from attacking his father?

“The door to the cellar is in the kitchen.” Scott spoke the words in a soothing voice as he flanked Dylan’s side. He remained close as the rest of the Keepers parted from their path. Layne was the only person who didn’t budge. He faced the ground, but the muscles in his neck corded the closer Dylan grew to him.

The instant they passed Layne, it took all the strength Dylan had to keep going. He wanted Layne to react to his presence. It would be the perfect excuse to punch him. Then again, he could grab Layne’s arm and send enough electricity through his body to explode his heart.

Deal with the traitor later. Concentrate on Dad.

Once they made it to the kitchen, Garrett entered the door across the room and disappeared inside. Dylan did the same. The light from the kitchen faded after Scott joined them.

A musty stench invaded Dylan’s nose. It tickled his throat, but he refrained from coughing. Aged stone formed the steps that led them to the basement. Lights lit up a large room. There were several doors inside it, but the one Garret approached was a few feet ahead.

Once it opened, gas lanterns flickered down a long corridor. The musty scent increased. The passage was wide enough to fit a car, but they remained in a single file, trekking across the floor.

Ahead in the distance, another light flickered. An unfamiliar room lay before them, and Zeke was pacing in front of the doorway. He concentrated on something out of Dylan’s sight.

As they neared the room, Dylan’s stomach plunged. The tightness in his chest doubled. His intuition kicked in, thrumming a warning. Danger lay ahead.

The moment Garrett left the hallway, Dylan spotted a row of iron bars stretching from ceiling to floor. The room on the other side was dark, but Zeke unhooked a lantern from a metal sconce and thrust it into one on the adjacent wall.

Standing in the shadows, a pair of eyes glowered back at Dylan. Then his father’s eerie laughter echoed through the basement.