I head into the stationery shop, and I’m not at all surprised when Zavier doesn’t listen and follows me inside.
At the counter is a young woman, probably no more than twenty. She looks me up and down and does the same with Zav. With a sigh, she straightens up from where she was slouched with her head in her hand and idly flipping the pages of a magazine.
“Two vampires, and an old one at that.” She stares at me as she says the last part. “To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?”
If it weren’t for the pink-haired woman that takes up full residence in my brain, I’d think the woman across from me was stunning, with glossy black hair and blue eyes with a purple hue.
“I need yourhelp.”
She smiles at that. “At least you’re finally brave enough to speak to me. I’ve smelled you tracking me for weeks.”
I cock my head to the side. “You smelled me? I’ve never known witches to have an exaggerated sense of smell,” I comment.
“More to me than meets the eye. Don’t touch that!” she snaps at Zav, who very quickly pulls his hand away from the strange-looking vase. I ponder her words but don’t push further.
“Why?” he asks as his fingers edge closer again.
“Because my shithead ex’s soul is fused to it, and if you break it or he latches on to you, I’m not helping.”
There’s a tiny smirk pulling at her lips, so I can’t tell if she’s being serious or messing with him, but luckily, he takes a step away. Normal Zav is too much to handle—I’d rather not have to deal with a soul-possessed version of him as well.
“What do you need?” she asks me. “I’m not usually interested in helping your kind, so the charges will be hefty.”
“He will pay whatever you ask for.” I hook my thumb at Zav, revealing the real reason I needed him to tag along. I had just been hoping I could get him to wait somewhere and signal when I was ready to go so he could pay.
I’ve been watching the witch for the past two weeks, ever since I spotted her coming out of a hotel downtown. I wanted to observe her before interacting to ensure she was safe to make contact with and subsequently introduce to Ava. Her aura is vivid like Ava’s, but a calm blue color.
Zav gasps and slaps a hand over his chest. “Is this the only reason you brought me? You’re using me for my money?”
“Yes.”
“And to think, you asked me to stay outside.” He wags a finger at me. “Shame on you, Valen. Youjust want me as your sugar Zaddy.”
Across from me, the witch rolls her eyes. I realize then I haven’t bothered to introduce myself.
“I’m Valen and this is Zavier. You are?”
She stares at my extended hand until I drop it. “Jade. I’m assuming you’re not here for stationery, so come to the back.”
She’s being far more agreeable than I expected. Witches tend to be a bristly bunch.
The back of the shop is filled with books—mostly spell books, from the look of their spines. Gauzy purple curtains are draped from the ceiling and speckled with orbs of golden light created by magic.
Jade sits down in a wingback chair and points for Zav and me to take the small couch across from her.
“I’d rather not waste my time or yours, so what is it you need?”
I clasp my hands and lean forward. “My…” I still don’t know what to call Ava. She’s my mate, but she hasn’t accepted the bond. Not that I would expect her to yet, but I’m not quite sure we’re friends either. With a sigh, I decide to stick with mate since it’s the easiest explanation. “My mate is a witch, but she was adopted, so she doesn’t know her heritage. She needs to learn.”
Zav smirks at me over themy matecomment and I elbow him so he’ll stop looking at me like that.
“A witch and a vampire mated? I’ve never heard of that.” She looks down at her long, pointed nails, painted a bright shade of blue.
“It’s the truth.” With a sigh, I continue. “I’ve researched her line, and it seems to end with her parents. Someone was clearly wiping them out. Have you ever heard of such a thing?”
Her eyes flash with interest. “I’ve only ever heard of one family line being targeted for their power. If your mate is one ofthem and whoever killed the others catches wind of this, then she’s as good as dead.”
I stand suddenly, unable to control the reaction. “That’s why she needs your help. She needs to know more about what she is and how to protect herself if I can’t be there to keep her safe.”
