“I could sing you a song,” I suggest.
She gifts me with one of her gentle, small smiles. “I would like that.” She lays her head on my chest.
When I’ve finished the song, she asks, “What is that? You sang it before, but I don’t recognize the language.” Her nose traces the underside of my jaw.
“It’s an angelic song of old. My sister used to sing it to me in times of great stress, and it helped me relax.” I glance down at her to find her struggling tokeep her eyes open. “Get a few more hours of sleep. It’s not time for work yet.” I plant a kiss on her eyelids.
Ava mumbles something unintelligible, but I catch a small thank-you.
I slide out from under her once I know she’s fully asleep. Padding into the living room, I grab a book from my stack. Pom Pom lifts his head at my arrival but sits right back down when he doesn’t find anything interesting. Opening the book, I go back to where I left off, using a receipt from Luna’s shop as my bookmark. It is a novel on witch and warlock history I borrowed from Jade. It details tales of some of the more powerful bloodlines in their history. I continue to read about Ava’s ancestry and their role in the supernatural world. Losing myself in the history, I try and find any clue that could help us.
Before I know it, a shuffling sound surprises me and Ava walks up to the couch. She takes my book from me and closes it, setting it back on top of the pile before she unceremoniously drops herself into my lap. I look toward the balcony to see sunlight peeking through the curtains.
“You left me alone in there,” Ava whispers, and she snuggles into me. “What are you doing out here?”
“Apologies, Starlight.” I rub the back of her head. “I was reading up on your family history.”
She pulls back slightly. “You were?” I nod. “Have you found anything helpful?”
“Not yet,” I sigh. Some days it feels as if all the research and time we’re putting into things is futile, but something keeps driving me to do it.
She rests her head against my chest, ear against the spot where my heart would beat if I had one. “I’m a little shaken up after my dream. Will you drive with me to work?” she asks in a small voice that makes me wish her nightmares were a physical thing I could destroy.
“You never have to ask. I need to stop by Luna’s anyway for more blood. Perhaps we can grab that frothy bean juice drink that you like.”
Ava laughs and stands back up. Her shorts barely cover her butt, and her perky nipples are peaked beneath her nearly see-through shirt. Pressure in my gums make me groan, and when she practically prances away, I resist the urge to chase after her.
“You play with fire,” I growl.
“Afraid to get burned?” Ava pokes her head from around the doorframe of her room and winks before disappearing once more.
I shake my head and begin to assemble breakfast for the eager Pomeranian who follows me into the kitchen. Pom Pom snuffles angrily, letting me know I’m taking too long. Setting his bowl down, I give him a pat and get ready to leave.
Once we’re both ready to go, we head down to the car, and I open the door for her.
“I’ll take you and can pick you up after work is over,” I explain when she quirks a brow in question. Having formulated a plan in my head, I keep my surprise a secret for tonight.
Accepting my answer, although I can sense her curiosity, she gets in the car, and we drive to Luna’s. We park in the secret spot Luna made us privy to in the back. Chicago is hard to park in, so it’s much appreciated to not have to drive in circles until street parking opens up. Ava orders her usual drink, and I secure a cooler of blood since I’m low. My hunger continues to rage, but I try not to let on how bad it’s getting. I know Ava would be worried and blame herself. I know my appetite will abate after we fully give in to our mate bond, but I refuse to let her do it before she’s truly ready.
After exchanging pleasantries with Luna, we get back in the car, and I drop her off at the front of the precinct.
“Text me when you’refinishing up, and I will come,” I tell her as she steps out. She comes around to my side and motions for me to roll the window down.
“Yeah, you will be coming if I have anything to say about it.” She grins and kisses me quickly. I’m glad she seems to be returning to her normal self after the nightmare. “Thanks for dropping me off.”
I give her a look that says she doesn’t need to thank me for that, but she’s not facing me anymore, and with a wave over her shoulder and a flash of pink, she’s gone.
CHAPTER 27
AVA
Absolute fucking chaosis the only way to describe what I walk into. Officers are scrambling, people are crying and mumbling in shock, and Captain Barnes is yelling orders.
My head ping-pongs around the space.
Everything feels so strange, like there’s a haziness around me, and I quickly realize it’s because my heart is beating so fast. My body instinctively seems to sense that something is wrong.
I scurry over to my desk to put my stuff down. Grabbing the first person I can by the elbow, I find it’s the new detective who took Celine’s place. I blank on her name and feel terrible for not remembering, but my mind is too scattered this morning to place it.
