I shrug innocently.
With another groan, she says, “They’re mates. I thought that was obvious.”
My mouth practically unhinges and Valen pinches his brow. “You mean I’m stuck with this demon for good?”
Jade shrugs and takes a loud sip of her Diet Coke. “Probably. You better start bonding with your nephew.”
“Why are things never easy?” Valen groans.
“Because there’s no fun in the ordinary?” Jade suggests.
Valen plops onto the couch and lets out a breath. He slowly meets my gaze. “I guess I owe the demon an apology. My sister really is alive.”
“Yeah, you do.” I pat his shoulder. “And Valen?” He cocks his head to the side in question. “You should probably stop calling your nephew the demon.”
CHAPTER 54
VALEN
“Turn it up.I can’t hear,” Zav whines from his station on the couch.
“You’re a vampire, dude. You can hear perfectly fine,” Ava replies with a straight face as she turns it up anyway.
Zav peers around Celine, who rests against his side. “I can’t hear over the gears turning in that one’s head.” He motions toward me.
It’s safe to say I still haven’t fully wrapped my head around everything. My sister being alive and her having run to Iniquity to be with a demon, which resulted in my nephew.
Midnight snuggles into Zav’s lap and Pom Pom licks my cheek from where he perches above my shoulder on the couch. The familiars, of course, had to join our TV night. Occasionally, the Pomeranian will wander over to try and make friends with the black cat, but Midnight still isn’t having it.
Ava is next to me with her hand resting on my thigh. It’s dangerously close to my cock, which she likes toaccidentallybrush against. A bowl of popped corn rests between the girls, who frequently take handfuls of the cardboard-tasting snack. I tried it for Ava but quickly declined any future pieces. Zav and I both have a glass of blood to sip on instead.
“Tell me again why she’s torn between these two? Mr. Broody isn’t comparable to his wimpy brother.” Zav motions toward the screen with a sneer. “Don’t even get me started on the ancient vampire and the blond who should just fuck and get together.”
What started as Zav and Celine coming in while we were watchingThe Vampire Diarieshas now become an unironic group watch of the show. We were in the middle of a later season, but they got sucked in and the movie we originally planned to watch has been long forgotten.
“Aw, we’re out of popcorn,” Celine sighs. “Want more?” She holds the bowl toward Ava, who agrees. Celine starts to get up to pop another bag and accidentally leans on the remote, causing the TV to change channels. “Fuck, sorry guys.”
Ava makes to switch it back when we all freeze at what we see.
“Another murder has been committed. Just as gruesome as the last few. Our Mayhem Murderer strikes again,” the news anchor states in a monotone. “When will this crazed psycho finally be caught? More in a few.”
I make eye contact with Zavier, who looks pissed. Celine hasn’t moved from where she stands, and Ava makes a noise of concern.
“It’s right by Arcane.” I gesture to a building less than a block away that I recognize in the background. “There’s no way we’re wrong in our prediction,” I say while rubbing my chin.
Pom Pom’s fluffy face rubs against my cheek, and I grab him to hold in my lap. Ava reaches over to stroke hisback for comfort. Thank goodness for the pet companions to keep us calm when we need it.
“Speaking of…” Zav speeds over to his bag on the counter and brings a stack of envelopes over. “I pulled some strings and got us all invites to the gala I was talking about. Now more than ever we need to be there.”
Celine hugs herself. “Yes, but is it not playing into their trap as well? Whoever is copying you is purposely trying to lure you in. Has your contact not gained any new intel?”
Zav shakes his head and adjusts his glasses. “Nothing out of the norm.”
Ava stands and brushes dog hair off her tights. “I think we should scope it out. Celine doesn’t work at the station anymore, but I do. I could potentially get some insider info as I happen to pass by, if you know what I mean.”
My instincts scream at me to tell her no. I don’t want her anywhere near the crime scene created by a monster that still lurks out there.
“I’ll go with you.” I grasp her hand in mine and turn toward the other two. “Are you coming?” Zav seems to have a similar internal struggle but thinks better as he gauges Celine. A sparkle fills her brown eyes, and I know he doesn’t stand a chance. “Let’s go see what this sick copycat fuck thinks he’s all about.”
