Chapter 54 Valen
VALEN
“Turn it up. I can’t hear,” Zav whines from his station on the couch.
“You’re a vampire, dude. You can hear perfectly fine,” Ava replies with a straight face as she turns it up anyway.
Zav peers around Celine, who rests against his side. “I can’t hear over the gears turning in that one’s head.” He motions toward me.
It’s safe to say I still haven’t fully wrapped my head around everything. My sister being alive and her having run to Iniquity to be with a demon, which resulted in my nephew.
Midnight snuggles into Zav’s lap and Pom Pom licks my cheek from where he perches above my shoulder on the couch. The familiars, of course, had to join our TV night. Occasionally, the Pomeranian will wander over to try and make friends with the black cat, but Midnight still isn’t having it.
Ava is next to me with her hand resting on my thigh.
It’s dangerously close to my cock, which she likes to accidentally brush against. A bowl of popped corn rests between the girls, who frequently take handfuls of the cardboard-tasting snack.
I tried it for Ava but quickly declined any future pieces.
Zav and I both have a glass of blood to sip on instead.
“Tell me again why she’s torn between these two? Mr. Broody isn’t comparable to his wimpy brother.” Zav motions toward the screen with a sneer. “Don’t even get me started on the ancient vampire and the blond who should just fuck and get together.”
What started as Zav and Celine coming in while we were watching The Vampire Diaries has now become an unironic group watch of the show. We were in the middle of a later season, but they got sucked in and the movie we originally planned to watch has been long forgotten.
“Aw, we’re out of popcorn,” Celine sighs. “Want more?” She holds the bowl toward Ava, who agrees. Celine starts to get up to pop another bag and accidentally leans on the remote, causing the TV to change channels. “Fuck, sorry guys.”
Ava makes to switch it back when we all freeze at what we see.
“Another murder has been committed. Just as gruesome as the last few. Our Mayhem Murderer strikes again,” the news anchor states in a monotone. “When will this crazed psycho finally be caught? More in a few.”
I make eye contact with Zavier, who looks pissed. Celine hasn’t moved from where she stands, and Ava makes a noise of concern.
“It’s right by Arcane.” I gesture to a building less than a block away that I recognize in the background. “There’s no way we’re wrong in our prediction,” I say while rubbing my chin.
Pom Pom’s fluffy face rubs against my cheek, and I grab him to hold in my lap. Ava reaches over to stroke his back for comfort. Thank goodness for the pet companions to keep us calm when we need it.
“Speaking of…” Zav speeds over to his bag on the counter and brings a stack of envelopes over. “I pulled some strings and got us all invites to the gala I was talking about. Now more than ever we need to be there.”
Celine hugs herself. “Yes, but is it not playing into their trap as well? Whoever is copying you is purposely trying to lure you in. Has your contact not gained any new intel?”
Zav shakes his head and adjusts his glasses. “Nothing out of the norm.”
Ava stands and brushes dog hair off her tights. “I think we should scope it out. Celine doesn’t work at the station anymore, but I do. I could potentially get some insider info as I happen to pass by, if you know what I mean.”
My instincts scream at me to tell her no. I don’t want her anywhere near the crime scene created by a monster that still lurks out there.
“I’ll go with you.” I grasp her hand in mine and turn toward the other two.
“Are you coming?” Zav seems to have a similar internal struggle but thinks better as he gauges Celine.
A sparkle fills her brown eyes, and I know he doesn’t stand a chance.
“Let’s go see what this sick copycat fuck thinks he’s all about. ”
Flashing lights and squealing sirens fill the same street Arcane occupies. All four of us piled into Celine’s car, with Zavier in the driver’s seat. He drives like a maniac, which isn’t a surprise.
We park across the street, but down far enough that we aren’t too deep in the crime scene.
I see the vampire and warlock we interacted with, plus someone else I haven’t seen before, someone with equal power, chatting with the police.
The vampire seems to have a permanent scowl on his face and the new man’s crossed arms scream “don’t fuck with me.
” The warlock remains silent, save for a few comments here and there.
“What’s the plan?” I ask and move to look at Zavier … except he’s not there.
The redheaded vampire is invisible to the human eye, but I see his likeness streaking through the night with supernatural speed. The head hotel vampire tracks him too, and I notice his eyes briefly dart in Zav’s direction before he rolls them and settles back on the cop.
“That little asshole,” Celine sighs. “He’s worse than a child. I swear he’s going to get himself killed one of these days.”
“Quite irresponsible,” I add. “Who would walk right into the heart of the scene like that?” Turning toward Ava, I eat my words. Because she is exiting the car and walking right toward it.
“Unbelievable.” I throw my hands in the air. “How did we get saddled with two extroverted, lawless mates?” I ask Celine.
She shrugs and shares a knowing look with me.
I’m going to spank Ava’s ass raw when I have her alone later tonight.
I make to follow her, but she flits her hand at me from behind her back.
Sitting back with a hiss, I prepare myself to swoop in and save her should anything go awry.
Who’s to say the killer isn’t in the vicinity watching us?
Sure, there are cops and other supes, but that doesn’t mean anything when we’re dealing with someone with such erratic behavior.
Celine taps her fingers against the dash of the car, and we both sit in silence while we wait for our partners to return. I watch Ava like a hawk from where she talks to a female detective she seems friendly with.
The driver’s side door closes as Zav suddenly reappears. He shakes his hair out like a dog, and water droplets spray Celine and me. The drizzle has started to turn into a downpour.
“Gross.” Celine swats at her mate. “I can’t believe you ran off like that. Did you see a lollipop you had to have?”
He snags the finger she wags at him and licks it like one. Her cheeks turn a red shade, and I look away when his eyes heat into molten emeralds. Clearing my throat, I break the sexually charged moment between them, and he glances over like he just remembered I’m here.
“Right,” Zav replies. “I found something.”
“You did?” I ask, leaning forward, gripping the seat.
“Sure did,” he responds with a hint of something off in his tone.
Just then, Ava slides back into her spot in the back with me.
“Well, that was fast. Anything worthwhile?” Celine asks.
Ava shakes her head, a pink strand falling loose from her messy bun. “The detective wouldn’t tell me much but did say it followed the pattern of the last few. One person absolutely decimated to pieces and a copycat of Zav’s scenes.” She shudders.
“Thankfully you have me here and my amazing vampire senses to catch what the humans missed.” Pulling out his phone, Zav zooms in on the scene, focusing on a particular blood splatter pattern in the very corner.
It’s so minute it could easily be missed.
“An arrow drawn right at Arcane.” With a sigh, he says, “We’ll have to keep our wits about us when we go to the gala.
Obviously, someone wants us there, and unfortunately, I think we need to go. ”
“I’ll reach out to Luna, and we girls can go dress shopping. I doubt I own anything fancy enough for the gala.” Glancing at her phone Celine grimaces. “We only have a few days before the event, so we’ll have to make it quick. Do you guys have tuxedos?”
I open my mouth to answer, but Zav is quicker. “No, but that just means Daddy and I get to go shopping. Aw! You’re going to help me pick out my first tuxedo. Father and son bonding moment.” He clasps his hands over where his heart would be, and I flick him on the forehead.
“Shut up.”