"No lights,” Jake commented, peering through the windshield.
"No guard.” She stared at the gatehouse, as dark as the night itself. “I've got a very bad feeling about this."
She wished Jake would just turn around and drive away, before it was too late. But it was her fault Monica was loose. If she had allowed Michael his way last night ... the thought stalled. No, she'd had no option last night, just as she had none now. Jake couldn't go in alone, and the police had no idea what they were up against. Even if she told them, they'd never believe her.
"I guess we'd better check it out,” she said softly.
He nodded. “Gloves on. We don't want the police finding our prints if things have gone bad in there." She dug her spare pair out of the glove compartment. Slipping them on, she slowly climbed out of the car. The gentle purr of the engine had little impact on the blanket of silence holding the night captive. Jake slipped his gun from its holster and held it by his side. She followed, energy crackling around her fingertips, ready to use.
Jake tapped lightly on the glass front of the guard's box. “Anybody home?" No one answered. The wind whistled lightly through the darkness, rattling the branches in the nearby trees. Where the heck was the guard? Had he answered a distress call from Trevgard, and if he had, why weren't the lights on ahead?
Jake nudged her then pointed to the left. She nodded and edged carefully around the small building, every sense alert to the slightest movement. But there was no sign of life, no sign of activity. She found the door. Locked.
After a few seconds, Jake joined her.
"The gate's locked."
"So's this door. Shall we break in?"
"It's either the door or the gates.” He shrugged and met her gaze. “I'm beginning to agree with your very bad feeling. I don't think we can wait for the cops."
She nodded and sent a bolt of kinetic energy at the door. It crashed back on its hinges.
"Handy little trick,” Jake said. “But it would be nice if you could learn to make a little less noise."
"Sorry. It's just nerves.” She shrugged and waved him through first. After all, he had the gun. He stepped through almost tentatively. “I can't see anyone. Let's find some lights and see what's going on."
She lurched forward and grabbed his arm. “Don't. Car lights Monica might ignore if they go no further than the drive. These lights are a different matter."