"It's Tao," she said. "He's disappeared."
Disappeared? Oh fuck, please don't let it be the fire elemental. Please let it be something—anything—else.
"When?" I asked. My throat was so dry with fear, it came out harsher than I'd intended.
"About an hour ago. He said he was hot and was going outside to cool down. Didn't think much of it, as he's been doing that a lot lately."
Because he was losing the battle. I rubbed a hand across suddenly stinging eyes. Damn it, I didn't need this on top of everything else. But then, it wasn't like Tao needed it, either, and it was my fault he was in this mess in the first place. If I hadn't included him and Ilianna—
You cannot beat yourself up over decisions others are ultimately responsible for, Azriel commented. Tao had the choice. He chose to help, just as he chose to save Ilianna by consuming the elemental.
If he weren't there, he wouldn't have had to make the decision.
And Ilianna would now be dead. You cannot have all things, Risa. Fate is not a generous woman at the best of times.
Yeah, I'm learning that. To Rachel, I said, "Did you try his phone?"
"I can't, because all his belongings are still upstairs. He didn't even change."
Damn. I closed my eyes for a moment and fought for calm. "Do you need me to get someone in?"
She hesitated. "Jacques is due in next shift—perhaps if you could get him to arrive a little earlier? We're not usually rushed until after six most Tuesday evenings."
"I'll do that. Let me know if Tao does show up again."
"I will."
She hung up. I called Jacques and asked him to start early, then threw the phone onto the bed and glanced at Azriel. "I don't suppose it's possible for you to locate Tao via his life force, is it?"