I pull up to the red light and while I wait for it to change to green I check my cellphone for the hundredth time. There’s no call, no voicemail and no text from Devil. I know he was mad. I thought he’d go silent for a while, but I didn’t think I’d never hear from him again.

I look in my rearview mirror, half expecting Wolf to be behind me. There’s no one there, though. When I told him I was driving myself into town, I expected him to argue. He didn’t. He didn’t even demand I take one of the men with me. I don’t understand the change in him, but I’m glad for it right now.

I’ve been thinking about the fight with Devil and he was right to be upset. I can’t be mad at him. I’m all messed up in my mind right now. I didn’t realize how much, until Devil forced me to take a hard look at the way I was acting. I’ve been trying to keep everyone around me calm and happy. The minute they start to show signs of anger… I panic. That’s when Devil became Devil and not Logan. Realistically I need therapy, not for Devil, not for anyone other than me. I need to put my past behind me… and live…

With Devil—if I can find him.

I dial Devil’s number. The light changes and I press the gas.

“You know what to do.”

I listen to Devil’s recorded message and I want to cry. I’ve listened to it way too many times. I called it over and over last night—not because I thought he would answer, because I’m beginning to give up hope he’ll ever talk to me again. I listened to it because I really had to hear his voice.

“Logan, it’s Torrent. I… I really miss you. I’m sorry. You were right. Please call me.”

It’s a different version of the same message. One I’ve left over and over. Devil is either not checking his messages, or ignoring me—maybe both of them.

I throw my phone into the passenger seat and try to pay attention to the traffic. Thankfully the roads aren’t crowded today. I take my exit and all too soon I’m sitting in the parking lot of the Golden Woodpecker.

I grip the steering wheel so tight my fingers go pale white. I hate that I’m scared of what comes next, but I am. Still, I make myself get out of the car and walk to the room where Devil is staying.

I knock on the door, but silence is all I get in return.

“Logan please, open up,” I call out, knocking again.

“There’s no one in there, lady.”

I jerk when a guy comes out of the room beside Devil’s.

“Oh. I’ll wait until he gets back then. Thank you,” I answer, feeling embarrassed.

“I don’t think he’s coming back. He had his bags and said he was headed home.”

“He did?” I ask. Before, I felt horrible. Now that feeling is a million times worse.

“Yeah.”

“Oh… Okay. Thank you,” I whisper, my voice almost silent. I couldn’t speak any louder if I wanted to right now.

I can’t believe that he’d leave without at least giving me the chance to say goodbye.

I refuse to believe it.

I’m like a robot and go through the motions of going to the front desk. It takes some convincing but I somehow get the manager to let me in Devil’s room. I know it’s too late, but I just have to see it for myself.

He lets me through the door and I look around at the empty room and I want to cry, but I don’t… not yet.

“Could I have a second, please?” I ask the guy. He looks at me strangely. He shrugs and walks out, closing the door behind him.

I go and lay on the bed, pulling the pillow into my face and breathe deep. There’s not a trace of Devil’s scent. I don’t smell him at all. Not on the pillow, not on the bed…Not in this room.

He’s gone.

I’m alone.

He left me…and he’s not coming back.

He’s given up on me.