Page 45 of Avidian (The Demon and the Savior #1)

His hands tighten on my hips as he pulls back enough to meet my eyes.

“You’re so fucking unexpected...in the best way possible,” he says, his lips crashing back onto mine in a way that makes me forget everything for a moment.

But then he steps back, a low groan escaping him as if it physically pains him to stop.

He says, “I need to grab a few more supplies and check in with Rain. Stay here and relax. I’ll come get you soon, and we’ll head out together.”

I narrow my eyes, skeptical. “How do I know you’re not going to leave without me?”

His expression softens as he reaches for my hands.

“I would never lie to you like that,” he says firmly.

He reaches for his backpack, pulling it off his shoulder and handing it to me.

“Here. It’s packed with everything we’ll need.

If I was going to ditch you, I wouldn’t leave this behind.

There’s some extra room in there—grab a few drinks or snacks from the fridge if you want. I won’t be gone long, promise.”

I take the backpack, but not without a small, suspicious squint. “Alright, hand it over.”

He pulls me in for one last kiss, pressing his lips softly to the top of my head. “I’ll be back soon,” he says, his voice warm and certain. I watch as he strides down the hallway, disappearing around the corner.

As soon as Malachi is gone, I stretch out on the couch and remember the weight of Carmen’s journal tucked inside my jacket. Carmen was young, in love, and meticulous enough to keep a journal—there’s no way she didn’t write about her boyfriend. And right now, he’s my number one suspect.

I unzip the pocket and pull out the journal, flipping past the early pages filled with mundane daily entries. My fingers slow as I hit something promising—Carmen describing a man she met at a coffee shop.

“Dreamy eyes. Dark hair. He asked to see me again…"

Now we’re getting somewhere.

A sudden knock at the door has me shoving the journal back into my pocket and zipping it closed.

My heart jumps as I stand, halfway expecting Bash, but when I open the door, a girl around my age stands on the threshold.

She’s petite with black hair that spills over her shoulders, her nervous energy crackling in the way she tucks a strand behind her ear looking down.

“Hi, you’re Katja, right? Bash told me a bit about you. I’m Isla,” she says.

“Yeah,” I reply, holding the door wider. “Do you want to come in?”

“Thank you. Um, I saw Malachi leave, and I thought maybe we could talk for a minute.” She glances behind me, like she’s not sure she should be doing this.

“Sure. What’s on your mind?” I gesture toward the chairs in front of the desk. Isla perches on one, crossing her ankles and curling her hands in her lap. Her shoulders are tense, like she’s bracing for something.

“I’m like you...an Avid, I mean,” she squeaks.

I sit across from her, my interest piqued. “Go on.”

“Solace saved me about a year ago, and I’ve been working with Bash ever since,” she explains, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sweater.

“What’s your gift?” I lean forward, eager to know more.

“That’s why I’m here. I think maybe I can help you,” Isla says, glancing at the door like she doesn’t want to get caught in here. “Bash told me you can see the dead. He mentioned your projecting and that you’re trying to solve a case?—”

“Wow,” I cut in, smirking, “Bash really does have a big mouth.”

Her cheeks turn pink, and she shakes her head quickly. “He does, but only because he trusts me. We work together all the time, and I promise he’s not running around sharing your business. I swear I won’t say anything either.”

I study her for a moment then nod. “It’s fine. I’m not mad. How do you think you can help me?”

“When I touch someone, I can see things. Usually, it’s memories they don’t want me to see—trauma, secrets. It plays out in my mind, like a movie,” she says, meeting my eyes.

That’s...useful. Way more useful than my gift. “Amazing. And awful, depending on how you look at it,” I say.

She laughs softly, covering her mouth like she’s not used to laughing much. “It can be both. Anyway, Bash and I made this for you today. He was going to give it to you later, but we didn’t want to upset Malachi since... Well, Bash said he was a little shaken after what happened.”

She fishes a small vial out of her pocket and holds it out. I take it, turning the glass over in my hand. The liquid inside is mesmerizing, a swirling galaxy of shimmering stars. I’ve seen Avidian before, but I don’t think it’s something I’ll be used to anytime soon.

“I saw Malachi leave and thought it was better to give this to you directly. You can decide whether to tell him or not. Either way, I won’t say anything,” she adds.

I want to hug her. “Thank you. Seriously, this means a lot. You really think it’ll work on the dead?”

She nods, her expression firm. “If you can touch them, it should work. But make sure you use it at the right time. It kicks in fast—about a minute after inhaling—but it won’t last long.”

"Wait, Malachi told me Bash made a mask for this to work. Is that true?" I ask, and she shakes her head.

"He’s been working on a mask, and it's almost done, but you don’t need it for this. The Avidian will work right away if you inhale it. The mask helps release it gradually, so it lasts longer."

"Nice, sounds useful."

"Yes, very useful. The next step is figuring out how to combine different powers in the mask, so they’re released all at once.

Plus, the mask makes it easier for the team.

Instead of digging around in their pockets for vials in the dark, they’ll have vials clipped directly to the front of the mask, ready to release with the press of a button.

There’s even a dial to control the potency. "

I grip the vial tightly, feeling a surge of hope I haven’t felt in days.

“I can’t wait to see it in action. But thank you for this. You have no idea how much this could help,” I say, and she smiles, rising to her feet.

As much as I want to get away from Marco and be free, making progress on his brother Viktor’s case will keep the heat off me.

“Good luck,” Isla says, tucking her hands into her pockets and heading for the door. I watch her go, my mind already racing with possibilities.

I glance at the Avidian in my hand, the temptation to summon Carmen and Damian gnawing at me.

I could do it now—use the vial and finally see the truth for myself.

No more games, no more riddles. But Malachi will be back any minute, and the thought of adding this to his already full plate stops me.

Tonight is already loaded with enough unknowns.

I’ll wait. Better to tell him about the journal and the Avidian when things settle down.

I tuck the vial safely in my pocket next to the journal, zipping it up tight, grateful for its sturdiness.

I’d hate to crack it open accidentally. I cross to the fridge, pulling out a couple of water bottles and one of those pre-made cheese and cracker packs.

I add a container of insect-based protein crackers for good measure, shoving everything into the backpack Malachi left behind.

An energy drink catches my eye, and I grab that too.

If I can’t have coffee, at least I won’t be dragging all night.

Tossing it into the pack, I zip it up and slide it onto the desk.

I’m about to pull out Carmen’s journal again to start reading when the door swings open, and Malachi steps inside, a duffel bag slung over one shoulder.

“What’s in there?” I ask, nodding at the bag.

“Binoculars, night vision, weapons—stuff,” he says with a wink, setting it down briefly before slinging the backpack over one arm and the duffel over the other.

“Did you pack snacks?” he asks, and his grin widens as I point to the pack on his back.

“Snacks and drinks, all in there,” I tell him.

He throws an arm over my shoulder, steering me toward the door. “Let’s go see where the wolves prowl, shall we?”