Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
brIA
“Ma-ri-belle,” I whisper-shouted as I knocked on the door of the Serenity Spa. The faint scent of lavender hung in the air.
I tried the knob. Locked. Of course it was. Damn. Where was she?
The cool ocean breeze hit me as I stepped back onto the pool deck, which was now decorated with colorful red, white, and green fairy lights.
The salty tang of the sea mixed with the lingering scent of coconut sunscreen and rum from the poolside bar.
I slowly turned my attention to the colorful tiles of the dragon-themed pool.
Dragon. Rum.
No, I wouldn’t think of that shifter now.
Where was that witch? I needed answers.
The Moonlight Siren rocked gently underfoot as I resumed my search.
The low thrum of the engines vibrated from below.
I scanned the deck for any flash of silvery curls or the towering shadow of her bear shifter mate.
Nothing. I exhaled in frustration as I passed a cluster of tipsy passengers wearing ugly Christmas sweaters.
Staff bar? No. Dining venues? All but empty. The smell of baked bread and garlic drifted from the kitchen, smelling delicious, but I had bigger priorities.
Where was she?
Next, I circled the main entertainment decks. The casino rang with the clatter of machines. The theater was dark save for the performers on stage. I couldn’t call out for her without causing a scene.
I searched the best I could tonight to find answers.
Still no witch.
The hum of bass and crash of drums pulled me into the Nocturnal Lounge where Luna Blue Shadows were on stage playing Van Halen.
Damien’s fingers flew across the guitar strings with his vampire speed, his dark hair spilling over his forehead.
When he glanced up, he caught my eye, and gave the slightest nod.
I nodded back before scanning the crowd.
When we’d met, we’d had a fling that was shorter than a verse in this song. Just like all the others.
Which was why I needed to shake this nonsense about a mate out of my head.
It’s not nonsense. It’s true, my panther interrupted.
I huffed. Maybe Maribelle was in her cabin or Roan’s. Or did they share one? I didn’t know which was hers, and I couldn’t bang on every door in the staff’s quarters.
I let out a resigned sigh. The search would have to wait until tomorrow.
The ship’s slow rocking should have lulled me to sleep, the way it usually did, but every time I closed my eyes I saw golden eyes and felt phantom heat brush my skin. When sleep came, it was interrupted by countless delicious dreams of a gorgeous dragon.