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“I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up,” he huffs. “I should have conserved my energy back there, but I’m not used to having my strength back.”

The maze of hallways and stairs makes it feel like some underground tunnel system. Where did it come from and what’s it used for? Could it be solely for vampiric purposes or something else?

“We have to be close to getting out of here,” I murmur, losing a little more of my consciousness. Adrenaline is wearing off and I’m reminded of my weakened state.

Valen tightens his grip and shakes me a little.

“Stay awake, Celine. We’re going to get out of here,” he says it matter of fact, but I don’t miss the shakiness to his voice.

“Well, well, well, what do we have here?”

Fuck.

CHAPTER 49

ZAVIER

Breaking every speeding law known to man, we manage to make it across town. Feeling rather spiteful, I formulate an idea as we approach the building.

“Uh, Zav.” Ava grips her handle above her head. “You can slow down any time now.”

I press my foot down hard on the gas.

“Zavier!” Ava slaps my arm as the building comes closer into view.

Thankfully, nobody else is right behind me in that particular moment, so I floor it. Glass shatters and bricks cascade around us as I careen through the front door of the building. I quickly turn and hold Ava against me to protect her from any harm. Our airbags deploy and Ava screams at the unexpected entrance. Since it’s daylight, the club is closed, but now it’s open for business at my say so.

“You crazy son of a bitch,” Ava yells and I simply chuckle in response. “Give a girl some warning next time before you drive through a fucking building.”

Celine’s in here, I know it, and a locked door won’t keep me from her. Since Ava threw out the idea I’ve felt it in my chest that this is where she is.

Pulling away, I tilt the broken rearview mirror so I can see myself. A strand of hair is slightly out of place, and I smooth it back where I want it to be. Meanwhile, Ava coughs and stares at me like I’ve grown a third eye. I knew she’d be okay. I wouldn’t risk her safety. Plus, I drive like a pro.

I unfold my long legs from the car and scan the room. The car is totaled but hey it was worth it; I’ll just buy a new one. Hell, I’ll let Celine pick it out this time. Whatever she wants she’ll get, as long as she’s back in my arms.

Ava hurries to keep up with my brutal pace as I inspect the area, but my patience is non-existent. She goes to follow me when I head toward the door in the back of the room, but I hold out a hand.

“You’re staying outside.” I frown at her. “I don’t want you involved in this when the cops show up.”

“Are you kidding me? Celine is most likely down there, my best friend, and you’re sequestering me to the sidelines?” she argues, stomping her foot like a petulant child. “We just crashed through the damn building. I’m an accomplice.”

“We don’t have time to argue, Ava. I can’t risk you getting hurt if this is where she’s held. I can compel everyone to not remember your involvement. There are probably vampires crawling everywhere and you won’t be much help. Just a hinderance. It’s just the facts,” I reason with her, antsy to head inside. “Celine will never forgive me if something happens to you,” I add, because I figure that more than anything else will help get through to her. “Just go across the street to the pottery place where you’ll be safe. I’m sure they’ll try to call the police. and I’d rather have the least amount of collateral damage as possible so you can tell them the owners here have already called.”

“Fine. As soon as you have Celine back you let me see her.” Ava relents and doubles back to the store across the street.

That settled, I walk in with nothing but bloodshed and carnage on my mind.

CHAPTER 50

CELINE

“It would seem our two lab rats have escaped,” Genevieve purrs. She clacks her long nails together like some stupid villain in an animated cartoon. I have to admit, thinking of her that way makes her a lot less scary.

I shiver in Valen’s arms, and he grips me tighter. I thought we were making headway and now we’ve hit a huge roadblock in the form of this vampire bitch. She just won’t go away.

“Move,” Valen rumbles.

I applaud his bravery, but more vampires appear behind Genevieve, and I know we’re well and truly fucked. Valen’s expelled a lot of energy to kill the first round of them, and he was already in a weakened state despite the blood. And it’s not like we’re in a place where I can offer him more. Even if I could, I’m not sure if I’m in well enough shape to.