Page 126 of You’re So Vein

It’s the pain in his voice that convinces me, the anguish of not knowing her. And he should feel anguish, because she is wonderful and he’s the one who missed out. I study his features, and I see the things I’ve been too blind to notice – Hannah’s slightly Mediterranean nose, her olive complexion, the dimple on her left cheek when she smiles.

He’s telling the truth.

She’s Dante’s daughter.

“I wish I’d known her these last ten years.” Dante breathes. “But I can still do the right thing and save her from Kael. I don’t think he knew until recently that she was Dhampir, but someone told him that you were raising a child, and that was enough to interest Kael. That’s why I’m here. For her, and for you, Augustin. Because I wronged you, too.”

“You brought him here. She’s gone because of you.” The tendril of a vine peeks out from the cuff of my shirt, waving at Dante menacingly. “But we don’t know for certain that it’s Kael who’s taken Hannah. Last night, I was attacked by the husker.”

Komal gasps. I don’t look at her, can’t look at her.

“What?” Dante’s face pales, and a shadow of something like concern passes over his face. “The husker came after you? And you survived? You certainly aren’t the Augustin I once knew.”

“Being a father has changed me, something you should get used to.” I shake my head. “Kael isn’t the husker. They disguised their scent with perfume from Zen and Tonic, but Kael is a beast of a vampire, and the husker was smaller, less broad. But I don’t care if he’s the queen of England, I’ll kill him before he hurts Hannah.”

“I swear to you, I didn’t send Kael here,” he says. “But I want to help find my daughter. Please.”

“Augustin,” Komal says, her voice pleading. “Let him help. Hannah’s all that matters now.”

I look at her. I can’t help it, her voice is like a siren’s song, calling me to dash myself upon the rocks. I look at the tears streaming down her cheeks and that determined set of her jaw, and I know that even though I’ve broken her heart, she’ll still help look for Hannah, and I hate myself for destroying what we could have had.

“Your friend Dora had a vision,” I say, waving my hand. My tendrils withdraw from Dante completely, and he releases a shaky breath. Beth runs to help him up. Komal remains frozen in place. “She saw blood, a perfect circle of blood like the one I found in Black Crag’s kitchen. And Hannah on a large stone under the moonlight.”

“I know where they’ve gone,” Komal says. “It’s a long way away, even for a vampire. But I can fly us there.”

“No,” I say.

It’s night. She can’t fly at night.

She narrows her eyes. “You don’t even know where it is yet!”

“I don’t need to. It’s night-time and a storm is coming. What you’re proposing is crazy and dangerous. We’re not doing it.”

I’m not losing you, too.

“What makes you say my plan is crazy and dangerous?”

“Is it?”

She huffs. “Of course. But I promised that Hannah would always have me, and every second we stand here arguing is a second she’s there alone with Kael. You tried your plant daddy way and it hasn’t worked. For once, will you stop trying to control everything and let me do this the unhinged Ahuja way?”

Dante rubs his hands together. “Crazy and dangerous is my kind of plan. Can I bring snacks?”

“You’re not involved,” I snap. “Yes, go, if you’re sure that you can fly—”

Komal steps inside her house and grabs a flight jacket and coat, which she tosses over her shoulder with a confidence that doesn’t reach her eyes. “Beth, drive us out to the helipad. I’ll text the Nevermore Coven. With the acting mayor on a mission to save his daughter, they’re going to need to prepare the village for the storm.”

The Nevermore Murder Club and Smutty Book Coven Group Chat

Komal: I think I know where Kael took Hannah. I’m going to fly Augustin and Dante there now.

Komal: Oh, and Callista and Irene. They’ve just shown up. Alaric’s sent them. He’s worried about Reginald.

Komal: Beth’s with me, too, but I need the rest of you to act as the mayor in our place. Get everyone to evacuate to higher ground.

Celeste: What’s going on? Are you okay?

Komal: Augustin has two swords strapped to his back like some kind of goth superhero, and an expression on his face like someone just violated his favourite by-law. I’m not worried about my safety. I just hope we get to Hannah in time.