Page 99 of The Vampire and the Barista

CHAPTER 34

David and the others walked out of the house.

“Some wolves are taking care of the body,” Ian told them.

“Thanks. I’m glad he’s dead, for Jamie, Karl and Kitty’s sake, but we need to make sure nothing can be traced back to them, especially Jamie,” Seth said.

“I’ve deleted any footage showing Jamie being shoved into the alley or coming out beaten and bloody, as well as any footage of Derrick. I left Jamie’s dad, though,” Olly told him.

“You might want to delete that as well,” Kevin put in, his arm around Creed.

“We might need to leave him coming to town; there are too many cameras between his house and here,” David suggested. As he was talking, he turned his head and tilted it slightly.

“Vamp?” Kevin asked, noticing.

“Ivan,” is all he said, before taking off at speed, the others quickly following.

David reached Ivan first and rushed to the downed vampire’s side, gently turning him over. He bent close, tapping his cheek. “Ivan,” nothing happened.

“Search the grounds for Derrick,” Kevin ordered. Wolves scattered.

“Let me try,” Adrian said, kneeling down, just as Gabe arrived.

“Should you, Adrian?” Gabe cautioned.

Adrian thought for a moment. “I should be alright, but if you don’t mind, Gabe?”

Gabriel knelt next to him. “Course not.” He was about to put his hands on Ivan when he noticed a shimmer on Ivan’s face. “You guys don’t shimmer, right? I would have noticed by now if you did, but Ivan’s face is shimmering.”

Adrian touched it, then looked at his fingers. “It’s a powder. I wonder if it’s from that bottle that was found earlier.”

“We can figure that out in a minute. Let me heal him up for now,” Gabe said, placing his hands on Ivan’s chest and calling on his healing. The light surrounded Ivan for a moment and as Gabriel lifted his hands, the light faded.

They watched for a moment before Ivan’s eyes flew open and he sat bolt upright, making more than one person jump.

“Head rush,” Ivan said, grabbing it. When he felt normal, he dropped his hands. “Derrick’s gone after Jamie.”

“Jessamy, Olly with me,” Gio ordered, and the three of them dashed for Olly’s car.

“Can you stand? We can go to the library as well,” Gabe said.

Ivan nodded. “Yeah.”

Mathis held his hand out and helped Ivan up.

“Seth, phone the coven, put the place on lockdown, in case Derrick tries to get Kitty or Karl,” David ordered. “We need to get to the library. Move out, everyone.”

“Gabe and I will portal there, Ivan, come with us,” Mathis said.

“Good thinking. I’ll come with you as well,” David said.

“So will we,” Kevin said, looking at Ian who nodded. He looked at Creed. “Take my car, see you in a bit.”

Creed nodded. “Be safe.”

Kevin snorted. “That’s my line to you, sweetheart.”

“Time to go,” Gabe said, swirling his hand and opening a portal, before walking through. Mathis, David, Ivan, Kevin and Ian followed.