Page 47

ZAVIER

I pace around the apartment for as long as I can stand it, before I follow Celine.

Her walking away distraught hurt more than I expected and there’s was no way I can leave her alone for long.

I’m taking a risk going after her and I want to respect her space, but anything can happen to her right now.

I understand her feelings on the whole matter, but still, how can she walk away? After last night it would be cruel to have a taste of her only to have it ripped away because of my mistake.

Midnight gives me a reassuring meow as I leave.

Outside, I follow the trail of her lingering scent. She wandered shockingly far in a short amount of time and with the constant breeze I’m glad I can still pick up the trail.

Her scent begins to grow fainter, and I panic at losing it. She can be as pissed at me as she wants that I’m following but I don’t give a fuck. It’s not safe right now. The constant rainy weather is proof enough of that.

A sudden jolt of terror zings through my chest and I know it’s her. It doesn’t matter that we haven’t completed the bond it’s a feeling that’s without a doubt sent from her.

“Celine!” I shout as I use my speed to get to her as fast as I can.

Within seconds I’m in the middle of a sidewalk where her scent stops. Glancing around frantically, I search and hope to spot a dark head of hair but there’s no sign of her.

My boot crunches down on something and I look down to find the knife I gifted her laying on the pavement.

No. Please, no.

I grasp it and run my hand over the carved handle like it’ll show me where she is.

I’m not the praying type and haven’t believed in a higher god for a long time, but I start to pray to any being out there who will listen.

Please don’t take her from me. Please keep her safe. Show me where the fuck she is.

I know something bad happened. This wouldn’t be laying on the ground if she didn’t try to use it, Celine wouldn’t be the type to throw it away in anger at me. She might not realize it, but she’s surprisingly sentimental.

Spinning in a circle, I further examine the area for any clues on where she might’ve gone.

Drowning out everything I take a deep breath and inhale a scent I initially missed.

Blood.

Vampire blood at that.

A few trickles almost invisible to the naked eye dot the sidewalk and upon closer examination the blade of the knife holds the scent as well. It’s a musty, coppery smell that’s tainted by the evil intent of its owner.

Good girl. She fought back.

Now that I know it’s a vampire who took her, I see red .

It takes every one of my three-hundred years of life to keep me from lashing out on the humans and objects around me as agony rips through me. Knowing my mate has been taken feels like someone is trying to rip my body in half.

When I find her, no vampire will be immune from my wrath.

If she’s dead ... no I can’t think that way. I refuse .

I clench my fists and the humans walking past keep a wide berth like they know I’m a ticking time bomb.

Grabbing my phone from my pocket I shoot a quick text to Death’s Assistant to meet me at the hotel. I’m going to need as many eyes looking out for Celine as I can get. I also dial the next person on my list.

“Hello?” Luna’s voice rings across the line.

“Celine’s been taken,” I cut right to the chase.

Her gasp rattles in my ear. “What do you need from me? I’ll help however I can.”

After giving her a quick rundown of the situation, I ask her to keep her eyes and ears open for who could’ve taken Celine via her clients. She sees a lot of vampire traffic and will be a great help in that regard.

Rushing as fast as possible to the hotel, I formulate a plan on what to do.

No being in hell, heaven, or on Earth will keep me from finding my mate.

Whoever took her from me has no fucking idea the monster they’ve unleashed.