Chapter 22
“Eddie! Eddie!” Kalea cried as she ran toward his office, her frightened voice echoing down the hallway.
Eddie was neck-deep in paperwork when her screams shattered his concentration. He surged out of his chair to investigate, but nearly collided with her in the doorway.
“Whoa! Babe, where’s the fire?” Eddie asked, instinctively catching her to steady her. But as his eyes locked onto the sheer terror etched across her face, his teasing tone vanished. “What’s wrong?”
“I heard Empress call out to me. I know I did! I heard her, Eddie—I heard her!” Kalea rambled, her breathing ragged as words spilled out in a frantic rush.
Eddie shook his head, struggling to process the claim. “Whoa, whoa, slow down, Kalea. What do you mean you heard Empress?”
“I heard her, Eddie. It was faint
