Page 54

ZAVIER

A pink explosion greets me when I walk into my apartment. Ava’s taken up temporary residence in it since I refuse to sleep anywhere but in Celine’s bed. Her apartment is also on the other side of town, so it made sense for her to camp here.

I’ve not been gone long, only popping over to Luna for a fresh blood supply and to check in with my contact, and she’s already made herself at home. It’s not like the apartment was ever really mine to begin with, so I don’t mind.

Over the past few days Ava and I have poured over maps of the city and stayed in contact while we walked and drove the routes.

She did the latter since I didn’t want her in any danger, while I could reach places with my speed and strength that would be impossible for her.

So far, our search hasn’t provided any answers and we both grow antsier by the minute.

The fact Celine’s kidnapper has gotten the jump on my guys is unheard of. They’re too good.

I feel my sanity floating away bit by bit, and Ava has given me more than one side glance of worry.

I’d never hurt her, I know how important she is to Celine, plus she’s grown on me, but I struggle with her presence.

We’re far more alike than I ever thought I’d admit.

Celine has a good friend in Ava. The only time she isn’t actively searching for Celine is when she’s at work.

But she’s immediately back at it as soon as she’s done.

As time keeps passing, we used the excuse of Celine’s dad needing her because it didn’t make sense to keep saying she was too sick for work.

“Where are we searching today?” Ava plops beside me on the couch with her Pad Thai.

I stretch out my legs and pull out my notebook. A multi-page list with more things crossed off than I’d like, details our agenda. I rattle off some names and Ava freezes. She drops her food none too gracefully on the table getting noodles on my paper. I growl at the sight of my now soiled paper.

“We are so stupid!” she shouts and hits her head with the palm of her hand. “I know exactly where we need to look. We’re focusing on the wrong spot.” Shoving one more mouthful of noodles in, she rushes around to grab her coat and shoes.

I follow after her, because she must be on to something to act this way, and to leave her food behind. Another thing I’ve learned about Ava is she takes her takeout food very seriously.

“The club!” Ava shouts as we run down the hallway. “I can’t believe I didn’t think of it sooner. Celine always thought Vex was so fishy. I thought she was just being paranoid, but it makes sense, right?” She doesn’t wait for me to answer. “That has to be it.”

I shake my head but follow her onto the elevator anyway. “I scoped it out multiple times. I didn’t smell anything or find evidence otherwise. ”

“We’ve only ever seen the public part of the club.

Celine tried to see into the back once but got stopped by the goons guarding the door.

Remember the kidnapping and all that weirdness?

” She crosses her arms over her chest. “Besides, you’re the one that said her smell just vanished the day she was taken so I think you’re being a little cocky and relying on your vampire mojo a little too much. ”

I shake my head, confused. “I thought that whole thing was resolved with Vex, and they found the body without any club connection?”

Ava turns to me with exasperation. And Celine thinks I’m the one without patience.

“We overheard suspicious things the first time we went there, and I know Celine didn’t agree with the outcome of the case.

It has to be the club. My spidey-senses are tingling, Zavier.

” She wiggles her fingers. “The woman she was in contact with was an odd one.” Ava taps her heel in quick succession on the ground.

“There was just something off-putting about her.” She shivers at the memory.

“What woman?” I tilt my head, following her off the elevator. “Celine didn’t mention a name.”

“Oh, so she tells me things she doesn’t tell you, huh?” She sticks her tongue out and I do it right back. “Genevieve was the name of the woman who reported her friend missing. But I’m not so sure now that they were really friends. Maybe it was a ruse to get close to Celine.”

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” I’m seething at the dots that are slowly connecting. She met with Celine behind my back and with her scent being undetectable for some fucking reason I had been none the wiser.

Filling in Ava, she rages with me and for the first time in almost two weeks I have hope.

I just pray Celine is okay and in one piece when I get to her.