Page 104 of Bitten Vampire

Baylor lets out a grumbly growl. Harrison shoves James back with a snarl. “Do not mishandle the youngest.”

“I—sorry,” James stammers. “It’s just?—”

“I’m frightened too,” I say. “When did he go missing?”

“Five, ten minutes ago—if that,” Harrison replies.

Huh. I’m surprised he came straight to me.

I know I shouldn’t be using my power—if I can, I should be saving it for the council meeting tomorrow.

But James’s anxiety is catching. I try not to let other people’s emotions affect me, but it isn’t easy. He’s incredibly smart and knows Valdarr and the Grand Master better than I do.

Half-knowing this is a huge mistake—and that my vampire doesn’t need my help—I grab my phone and open my favourite app.

“Okay. Okay. Let’s fix this.”

“What are you doing?” Harrison asks.

“Shush,” James murmurs, nudging him aside.

“Are we going after him? Do we know where he went?” Tony demands. “I’m sure the shifters would help us search.”

James raises a hand for silence. “Fred will find him—won’t you, Fred?”

“I will. But I need some space and I need to concentrate. Can you speak over there?” I point to the other side of the room. “Please, tell them everything about your oracle theory.”

“Right. Okay.” James hustles them out of the way.

Fear claws and writhes inside me.What if this doesn’t work?I push the thought aside.Come on, Fred. Be brave. You can do this.I sit cross-legged on the sofa, close my eyes, and reach for the power. The phone lies forgotten in my lap.

I think of him.

And I fall into the vision.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Valdarr standson a kerb in an unfamiliar street, perfectly composed. He wears a different suit, his hair plaited intricately over one shoulder, tattoos gleaming under the streetlights. He looks as if he is going to an important meeting.

A car pulls up. He remains loose-limbed.

“If you are here,” he says softly, “do not worry. I have a meeting with my father. I know what I’m doing.”

He’s talking to me. Relief floods me. I did the right thing, and I didn’t overstep by using a vision to find him. HeknewI would look for him. I go with my gut, reach out and brush his hand; his fingers twitch, and Valdarr smiles.

He felt me. Wow.That shouldn’t be possible. But I have no idea what is possible between fated mates.

Four men step from the car. Three vampires and amage. “Master Blóðvakt,” the spokesperson says, bowing. “We are here at the Grand Master’s request. To collect you for a meeting.”

“We need to scan you, sir. Is that all right?”

“Of course,” Valdarr replies, his voice calm. He lifts his arms and spreads his legs as a nervous mage runs his wand over him.

Though shaking, the mage is admirably thorough. “He’s clear,” he mutters, stepping back. He pockets the wand and stares at the floor.

“If you wouldn’t mind…” the spokesperson says. His hands also tremble as he raises a black hood. “You can’t know where you’re going. It’s for security reasons.”

Valdarr elegantly bends so the hood can be slipped over his head, then slides into the car and fastens his seat belt.