“How was work?” Celine asks me as she assembles her first taco.
“Really fucking weird, actually.” I rememberthe odd conversation I overheard. “I wanted to bring it up tonight because it has me worried. Some detectives were talking about a case that sounded like something Genevieve would do.” I chew on my lip and peek at Celine, worried I’m bringing up the incident when she might not want to talk about it. “I might just be jumping to conclusions, though. After everything I feel a little on edge.”
She’s frozen in place for a second but melts back into Zavier when he breezes over to stand behind her. He rubs her arms in reassurance and kisses her temple.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to be dramatic. Sometimes it hits me out of nowhere—the crazy shit that went down.” Celine sighs and gives Valen a sympathetic look, and he does the same to her.
“You’re not dramatic,” Luna chides her. “It was a horrific thing that happened and you’re valid in your feelings.”
Celine nods at me to keep going.
“I don’t have much more than that. They were talking about a girl disappearing and I thought it resembled the case that Genevieve was involved in. It felt fishy and I couldn’t shake the feeling that it’s all tied together. Isn’t Genevieve dead?” I question Zav, even though I already know the answer.
“I held her decapitated head in my own hands and ripped her apart piece by piece.” He grins manically, and I shudder at the predator shining through the boyish looking vampire. It’s easy to forget what he is. “And then lit those pieces on fire for good measure. And because I’m extra dramatic, I scattered her ashes in various places.”
“Thanks for bringing that up over dinner,” Luna sighs.
Zav downs a juice pouch–style blood bag, bendy straw and everything, before responding. “I’m going to check in with my contact and see if there have been whisperings of what’s going on. The rain hasn’t let up, and since that’s a sign of a lot ofsupernaturals in one place, it doesn’t make me feel warm and fuzzy. There’s still more going on here. I’m missing something and it’s driving me crazy.”
That’s what scares me—that we’re all missing something big right in front of us.
CHAPTER 12
VALEN
Witches areexcellent at blending in, and because of their powers, they’re able to shield their aura if they know to do it—which has made tracking one down quite the undertaking. As much as I hate being in large crowds, I’ve been going out and walking the streets of Chicago, hoping to catch the aura and talk to one. I don’t have the skillset to explain how being a witch works for Ava. She needs help from someone like her.
“Why did you need me, again?” Zav asks from my side, wearing his usual shit-eating grin.
“In case things go south,” I mutter.
“So I have permission to kill if I need to save your life?”
“It won’t come to that.” At least I hope not, but itiswhy I asked him to come. I’m still not at my full power and strength. It’s like a part of me is still tethered to my captors, pulling me back, and therefore I can’t get stronger.
“Are you sure? Witches can be a bit … quick with the trigger.”
I level the redheaded vampire with a glare. “And you’re not?”
“I like killingbadguys,” he replies easily. “I don’t kill for no reason. Usually.”
“Whatever way you want to put it. We’re almost there.” I point to the store I’m headed to.
“A stationery store? What is a witch doing with a bunch of notecards? Oh! Is it to write spells?”
I roll my eyes and hiss, “Shut up, I’m begging you.”
“Beg harder. You know I love it when you do.” Zav bats his eyelashes and my lip wrinkles in disgust.
Why did I think asking Zav along was a good idea?
“Wait outside,” I command when I reach the store.
“But it’s raining,” he whines.
“Then go across the street and watch from that place.” I gesture to the furniture store.
“You’re no fun,” he gripes.
