Chapter 26 Valen
VALEN
Ava’s delicate eyelashes flutter against her porcelain skin as she slumbers.
As a vampire, I don’t need nearly the amount of sleep or rest that humans do.
After being held captive for so long however, my body has needed to catch up, and I typically sleep on a similar schedule to her.
It seems I’m almost back to normal now, but I still pretend to go to bed with Ava every night.
I like being close to her. I don’t know if it’s because she’s my mate or if it’s just her, but I always feel calmer when I can touch her. My trauma doesn’t feel quite like it’s going to swallow me whole.
Tugging her closer to me, I nuzzle her hair and inhale her sweet scent. The urge to mark her as mine is ever present, but I resist. I can be patient. For her I can do anything.
The drive back from the agency was a quiet one.
I could sense Ava’s inner turmoil as she digested all she had learned.
After living life one way for so long, it’s hard to accept a new path that is forged before you.
Her powers will manifest one way or another, and based on her parents’ letter, they will come with great darkness.
I need to go back to the library and research harder, as well as communicate with Jade.
Whatever this entity is, we must be ready.
I fear not being strong enough to protect her.
While I have managed to gain weight and muscle in these short few months, I know I am still not to my full potential. The idea of someone coming after her and me being helpless to do anything haunts me.
Ava mumbles in her sleep and shifts restlessly.
She starts to sob in her sleep, and not knowing what else to do, I kiss her. Sucking her lip into mine, I bite gently and thankfully feel her respond. She stiffens before melting into me. Placing one last kiss to the corner of her mouth, I pull back.
“Hi.” She blinks tired eyes up at me. “What happened?”
I wipe a tear from the corner of her eye. “I think you were having a bad dream.”
She nods. “I dreamed of my parents—my biological ones. I wanted to stay, but they told me I had to go.” She stifles a yawn. “I hate that they were forced to give me up and died anyway.”
“I’m sorry.” I kiss her forehead. “Try to go back to sleep. You need your rest.”
“I don’t know if I can,” she sighs.
“I could sing you a song,” I suggest.
She gifts me with one of her gentle, small smiles. “I would like that.” She lays her head on my chest.
When I’ve finished the song, she asks, “What is that? You sang it before, but I don’t recognize the language.” Her nose traces the underside of my jaw.
“It’s an angelic song of old. My sister used to sing it to me in times of great stress, and it helped me relax.” I glance down at her to find her struggling to keep her eyes open. “Get a few more hours of sleep. It’s not time for work yet.” I plant a kiss on her eyelids.
Ava mumbles something unintelligible, but I catch a small thank-you.
I slide out from under her once I know she’s fully asleep.
Padding into the living room, I grab a book from my stack.
Pom Pom lifts his head at my arrival but sits right back down when he doesn’t find anything interesting.
Opening the book, I go back to where I left off, using a receipt from Luna’s shop as my bookmark.
It is a novel on witch and warlock history I borrowed from Jade.
It details tales of some of the more powerful bloodlines in their history.
I continue to read about Ava’s ancestry and their role in the supernatural world.
Losing myself in the history, I try and find any clue that could help us.
Before I know it, a shuffling sound surprises me and Ava walks up to the couch. She takes my book from me and closes it, setting it back on top of the pile before she unceremoniously drops herself into my lap. I look toward the balcony to see sunlight peeking through the curtains.
“You left me alone in there,” Ava whispers, and she snuggles into me. “What are you doing out here?”
“Apologies, Starlight.” I rub the back of her head. “I was reading up on your family history.”
She pulls back slightly. “You were?” I nod. “Have you found anything helpful?”
“Not yet,” I sigh. Some days it feels as if all the research and time we’re putting into things is futile, but something keeps driving me to do it.
She rests her head against my chest, ear against the spot where my heart would beat if I had one. “I’m a little shaken up after my dream. Will you drive with me to work?” she asks in a small voice that makes me wish her nightmares were a physical thing I could destroy.
“You never have to ask. I need to stop by Luna’s anyway for more blood. Perhaps we can grab that frothy bean juice drink that you like.”
Ava laughs and stands back up. Her shorts barely cover her butt, and her perky nipples are peaked beneath her nearly see-through shirt. Pressure in my gums make me groan, and when she practically prances away, I resist the urge to chase after her.
“You play with fire,” I growl.
“Afraid to get burned?” Ava pokes her head from around the doorframe of her room and winks before disappearing once more.
I shake my head and begin to assemble breakfast for the eager Pomeranian who follows me into the kitchen. Pom Pom snuffles angrily, letting me know I’m taking too long. Setting his bowl down, I give him a pat and get ready to leave.
Once we’re both ready to go, we head down to the car, and I open the door for her.
“I’ll take you and can pick you up after work is over,” I explain when she quirks a brow in question. Having formulated a plan in my head, I keep my surprise a secret for tonight.
Accepting my answer, although I can sense her curiosity, she gets in the car, and we drive to Luna’s.
We park in the secret spot Luna made us privy to in the back.
Chicago is hard to park in, so it’s much appreciated to not have to drive in circles until street parking opens up.
Ava orders her usual drink, and I secure a cooler of blood since I’m low.
My hunger continues to rage, but I try not to let on how bad it’s getting.
I know Ava would be worried and blame herself.
I know my appetite will abate after we fully give in to our mate bond, but I refuse to let her do it before she’s truly ready.
After exchanging pleasantries with Luna, we get back in the car, and I drop her off at the front of the precinct.
“Text me when you’re finishing up, and I will come,” I tell her as she steps out. She comes around to my side and motions for me to roll the window down.
“Yeah, you will be coming if I have anything to say about it.” She grins and kisses me quickly. I’m glad she seems to be returning to her normal self after the nightmare. “Thanks for dropping me off.”
I give her a look that says she doesn’t need to thank me for that, but she’s not facing me anymore, and with a wave over her shoulder and a flash of pink, she’s gone.