Draven smiled. “As are you,” he said softly. “I thought you could plant it in the garden, and hopefully it will spread. That way, I can also enjoy your garden alongside you.”
“I love it,” I said, kissing him tenderly.
TWENTY-NINE
January 21, 2010
Days passed, and I still hadn’t seen Connor in person since our hike. He’d been buried in work, and his band, while I was caught up helping Vail with the investigation.
Together, we drove around town at night, keeping an eye out for any suspicious activity from Sam. So far, there was nothing out of the ordinary, but it was taking a toll on my sleep schedule. I found myself staying up late, talking to Connor on the phone when he got off work, and then crashing for a few hours when I got home.
I really needed to see him again and somehow find a way into Sam’s house. Meanwhile, I was relying on Vail’s blood supply. Most of it was from the hoodie man I killed. At least I knew it was somewhat fresh.
Sitting in my car with my phone pressed to my ear, I called Vail.
“Took you long enough,” she said. Vail was waiting at home for my call, relying on me to provide updates during the day since she couldn’t venture outside when the sun was shining. She was busy trying to find a remedy for the drug—which we began calling “Retch” after Sable’s comment about it—meaning it was my responsibility to track Sam’s movements during daylight hours.
“I drove all over town before I found Sam and Ivy. They were in a movie. I probably drove past this place four times today,” I grumbled into the phone.
“Okay, follow them, and don’t hang up on me this time,” Vail instructed.
“This is actually really funny,” I remarked as I pulled the car from the curb. “A Vampire hunting the Vampire Slayers.” I chuckled to myself as I followed Sam’s truck.
“Yeah, super funny. You should start a stand-up routine,” Vail said flatly. “Tell me what’s happening. I hate that I can’t be there with you.” Her words were tinged with frustration.
“Well, he’s driving down the road, and I’m following him. And now he’s braking because there is a stoplight.”
“Okay, well, just tell me when something interesting happens then.”
Continuing to tail Sam’s truck, I observed as he made a turn and stopped under an overpass. I pulled over my car, turning off the engine on the side of the road. “Okay, Sam stopped, so I pulled over,” I informed Vail, my voice hushed as I ducked down in my seat to watch them discreetly.
From my vantage point, I watched as Sam rolled down his window, and a girl approached him. They engaged in a brief conversation, but their voices were too distant for me to hear. However, I could see them exchanging small cooler bags. “I think they just did a drug trade.”
“Follow him,” Vail instructed urgently.
I maintained a safe distance to avoid suspicion, updating Vail on their movements as they drove. They were heading toward the outskirts of town. Sam turned and drove down a single-lane road that led to warehouses along the river. The once-busy surroundings gave way to desolation, and my grip on the steering wheel tightened, my knuckles turning white.My instincts screamed at me to retreat, warning of looming danger, but curiosity propelled me forward.
“They’re going down toward the river.”
Vail’s voice cracked through the phone. “Follow them,” she urged again.
“I can’t. They’ll see my car. It will be odd if I am the only car following them.” I was so close to uncovering more information, but the fear of being caught by Sam and Ivy was too much for me.
“I’m turning around.” I made a left turn while they continued toward the river.
“No, keep going.”
“Vail, no,” I said firmly. “We can’t afford to get caught.”
“But you’re out during the day, they won’t know you’re a Vampire.”
“It doesn’t matter, Vail. I can’t get caught.” I continued driving back into town, my nerves settling as I drove.
“Now we know where we can look at night,” Vail replied firmly.
“But don’t go alone without me. I don’t want you to get in trouble.”
“Okay,” Vail conceded, though I could sense her disappointment.
