Chapter 12
VALEN
Witches are excellent at blending in, and because of their powers, they’re able to shield their aura if they know to do it—which has made tracking one down quite the undertaking.
As much as I hate being in large crowds, I’ve been going out and walking the streets of Chicago, hoping to catch the aura and talk to one.
I don’t have the skillset to explain how being a witch works for Ava. She needs help from someone like her.
“Why did you need me, again?” Zav asks from my side, wearing his usual shit-eating grin.
“In case things go south,” I mutter.
“So I have permission to kill if I need to save your life?”
“It won’t come to that.” At least I hope not, but it is why I asked him to come. I’m still not at my full power and strength. It’s like a part of me is still tethered to my captors, pulling me back, and therefore I can’t get stronger.
“Are you sure? Witches can be a bit … quick with the trigger.”
I level the redheaded vampire with a glare. “And you’re not?”
“I like killing bad guys,” he replies easily. “I don’t kill for no reason. Usually.”
“Whatever way you want to put it. We’re almost there.” I point to the store I’m headed to.
“A stationery store? What is a witch doing with a bunch of notecards? Oh! Is it to write spells?”
I roll my eyes and hiss, “Shut up, I’m begging you.”
“Beg harder. You know I love it when you do.” Zav bats his eyelashes and my lip wrinkles in disgust.
Why did I think asking Zav along was a good idea?
“Wait outside,” I command when I reach the store.
“But it’s raining,” he whines.
“Then go across the street and watch from that place.” I gesture to the furniture store.
“You’re no fun,” he gripes.
I head into the stationery shop, and I’m not at all surprised when Zavier doesn’t listen and follows me inside.
At the counter is a young woman, probably no more than twenty. She looks me up and down and does the same with Zav. With a sigh, she straightens up from where she was slouched with her head in her hand and idly flipping the pages of a magazine.
“Two vampires, and an old one at that.” She stares at me as she says the last part. “To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?”
If it weren’t for the pink-haired woman that takes up full residence in my brain, I’d think the woman across from me was stunning, with glossy black hair and blue eyes with a purple hue.
“I need your help.”
She smiles at that. “At least you’re finally brave enough to speak to me. I’ve smelled you tracking me for weeks.”
I cock my head to the side. “You smelled me? I’ve never known witches to have an exaggerated sense of smell,” I comment.
“More to me than meets the eye. Don’t touch that!” she snaps at Zav, who very quickly pulls his hand away from the strange-looking vase. I ponder her words but don’t push further.
“Why?” he asks as his fingers edge closer again.
“Because my shithead ex’s soul is fused to it, and if you break it or he latches on to you, I’m not helping.”
There’s a tiny smirk pulling at her lips, so I can’t tell if she’s being serious or messing with him, but luckily, he takes a step away. Normal Zav is too much to handle—I’d rather not have to deal with a soul-possessed version of him as well.
“What do you need?” she asks me. “I’m not usually interested in helping your kind, so the charges will be hefty.”
“He will pay whatever you ask for.” I hook my thumb at Zav, revealing the real reason I needed him to tag along. I had just been hoping I could get him to wait somewhere and signal when I was ready to go so he could pay.
I’ve been watching the witch for the past two weeks, ever since I spotted her coming out of a hotel downtown. I wanted to observe her before interacting to ensure she was safe to make contact with and subsequently introduce to Ava. Her aura is vivid like Ava’s, but a calm blue color.
Zav gasps and slaps a hand over his chest. “Is this the only reason you brought me? You’re using me for my money?”
“Yes.”
“And to think, you asked me to stay outside.” He wags a finger at me. “Shame on you, Valen. You just want me as your sugar Zaddy.”
Across from me, the witch rolls her eyes. I realize then I haven’t bothered to introduce myself.
“I’m Valen and this is Zavier. You are?”
She stares at my extended hand until I drop it. “Jade. I’m assuming you’re not here for stationery, so come to the back.”
She’s being far more agreeable than I expected. Witches tend to be a bristly bunch.
The back of the shop is filled with books—mostly spell books, from the look of their spines. Gauzy purple curtains are draped from the ceiling and speckled with orbs of golden light created by magic.
Jade sits down in a wingback chair and points for Zav and me to take the small couch across from her.
“I’d rather not waste my time or yours, so what is it you need?”
I clasp my hands and lean forward. “My…” I still don’t know what to call Ava.
She’s my mate, but she hasn’t accepted the bond.
Not that I would expect her to yet, but I’m not quite sure we’re friends either.
With a sigh, I decide to stick with mate since it’s the easiest explanation.
“My mate is a witch, but she was adopted, so she doesn’t know her heritage. She needs to learn.”
Zav smirks at me over the my mate comment and I elbow him so he’ll stop looking at me like that.
“A witch and a vampire mated? I’ve never heard of that.” She looks down at her long, pointed nails, painted a bright shade of blue.
“It’s the truth.” With a sigh, I continue. “I’ve researched her line, and it seems to end with her parents. Someone was clearly wiping them out. Have you ever heard of such a thing?”
Her eyes flash with interest. “I’ve only ever heard of one family line being targeted for their power. If your mate is one of them and whoever killed the others catches wind of this, then she’s as good as dead.”
I stand suddenly, unable to control the reaction. “That’s why she needs your help. She needs to know more about what she is and how to protect herself if I can’t be there to keep her safe.”
I haven’t told Ava of the things I’ve learned yet because I don’t want to scare her. I didn’t want to give her the information until I had a clear path to help her, and that’s why I’m here now.
“Getting involved in this could get me killed,” Jade says, tapping those long nails against the arms of her chair. “Lucky for you I like a little thrill in my life. But I still expect payment.”
“Done,” I answer and snap my fingers at Zav. “Give me your wallet.”
Zav frowns and grumbles under his breath as he sits up to get his wallet from his back pocket. He passes me a credit card. “I feel like a glorified ATM.”
An hour later I’ve filled Jade in on as much as I can and have made plans for her to come to the apartment this weekend. Zav and I are headed for the door when she calls out. “Wait, I have something for you.”
I pause, confused. Zav arches a brow in interest.
She disappears into the back and comes back with a squirming honey brown ball of fur that she immediately thrusts into my arms.
“This belongs to you,” she announces, petting the dog on the head. He looks up at me with big brown eyes, tongue hanging out the side of his mouth.
“What is this?” I ask, holding the dog out. Its tail wags wildly.
“That’s a Pomeranian,” she answers, already walking away.
“And your familiar. He showed up here about a week before you did and showed me that you’d be coming and that I needed to help you.
” She looks back over her shoulder. “You’re welcome.
” She points at Zav and says, “And your familiar hates the name Midnight.”