"I don't know," she muttered, a troubled expression flashing across her face. "She was here throughout yesterday and this morning. But when I came back this afternoon, she was gone. I thought she'd gone home."
Adrian went quiet, his grip tightening slightly on Zia's shoulder.
"Have you checked Solmere?" her mother continued. "Do you know where she's living there?" But as if she suddenly realized she might have said something wrong, she shook her head and parted her lips.
Before she could say anything else, Zia suddenly lifted her head. Tears were still welling up in her eyes. "She didn't go home," she muttered between sobs.
Adrian immediately lowered his gaze to her.
"She went to where they took Grandpa."
His eyes sharpened. Then, without any hesitation, he spoke. "Where?"
"Behind Butterfly Mountain," Zia replied, slowly wiping her eyes.
Adrian's lips tightened. A hint of confusion flashed through his eyes. But before he could ask anything further, Zia spoke again.
