Valeria - A Short Story Collection

Chapter 5, Part 2

Valeria POV

The car came to a stop at the meeting point close to the vampire border. Tyson was driving with me in the passenger seat and Aidan and Tayrin in the back.

“What happens now?” Aidan asked.

“Now, we wait for Alex.” Tyson replied and checked his phone.

It didn’t take long until another pair of headlights showed up along the road and parked next to us.

Tyson and I stepped out of the car, and Aidan and Tayrin followed suit. I grinned when I saw Alex and Joey get out of their car.

“Hi guys.” Alex greeted us. “I heard you’re going off on an adventure.”

I chuckled.

“Alex, this is my brother Aidan.” I said. “And this is Tayrin, it’s her dad that went missing.”

I wasn’t sure how to introduce Tayrin. Aidan hadn’t really specified that she was his girlfriend. Sure they looked quite cosy together, but I didn’t want to make things awkward.

I handed over the notebook to Alex.

“It seems like Tayrin’s dad was investigating disappearances that he connected to vampires.” I said. “Do you know anything about that?”

Joey shrugged.

“Happens all the time.” He said. “Most of the blood slaves in the castle have been abandoned kids and homeless people that no one would miss.”

“Yeah.” Alex said and flipped through the pages. “But this should have stopped months ago. I put a ban on it and have set the slaves free. We get our blood through volunteers now.”

“Is it working?” Tyson asked. “Could there be a decrease in supply, which forces some vampires to abduct humans to feed.”

“Not that I’ve heard of.” Alex replied. “The clans that aren’t located near the castle have been instructed to tell us if that ever happens. We haven’t heard anything.”

“Could there be a rogue clan?” Aidan asks.

“That’s more likely.” Joey replied.

“Maybe my dad got too close.” Tayrin said quietly.

“We’ll check out the flat and see if we can find anything.” Tyson said.

“Follow us, we’ll let you through.” Alex said and got back in the car.

“Stay alert.” Tyson mindlinked me. “The vampires may be our allies, but we’re still entering enemy territory here.”

“Agreed.” I replied.

We parked outside the apartment building and went inside. Tayrin pulled out her keys from her purse and unlocked the door.

As soon as we walked inside, the smell of a vampire hit me and Willow growled in my head.

“There’s definitely been vampires here.” Tyson muttered.

“How can you tell?” Tayrin asked.

“I can smell them.” Tyson replied.

“Oh.”

“Guys, I’ve got blood.” Joey called out.

He pointed at three small droplets on the floor.

“I didn’t see those last time I was here.” Tayrin said.

“I didn’t see them at first either, I just smelled the blood.” Joey replied.

Aidan and I started gathering the papers on the floor, and I skimmed the pages.

“I think your dad came here because most of the disappearances happened around this town.” I said and turned to Alex. “Are there any clans around here that we could ask for information?”

“There is.” Alex replied.

“Then we’ll go find them.” I said.

Joey stepped in my way.

“Whoa whoa whoa, hang on a second.” He said. “You can’t go anywhere near this clan, wolf.”

“Joey’s right.” Alex said. “This clan hasn’t been very forthcoming about our alliance with the lycans, and they won’t give us any information if they think you’re the ones asking for it.”

“You can’t go alone.” I protested. “What if the clan is in on this somehow? You two are no match for a clan, even if Alex is royalty.”

“The only werewolf that could ever get close to these people are servants or slaves.” Joey said. “And I hate to break it to you, you’re neither.”

I looked at Alex as an idea popped into my head.

“But I used to be.” I said and raised an eyebrow.

Tyson seemed to realize what I was thinking, because I could feel his emotions flare through our bond.

“No.” He said sternly. “That’s not an option.”

I walked up to Tyson and took his hands.

“It’ll be fine.” I said softly. “I’ve done it before.”

Tyson scoffed.

“Yeah, I remember.” He said. “And I hated every minute of it.”

“There are innocent people missing.” I said. “I can’t just sit and watch. You’ll be fine here, look after Aidan and Tayrin and we’ll be back before you know it, hopefully with some answers.”

I kissed his hands in a silent plea.

“I can’t believe you’re asking me to do this.” He muttered.

“It’ll be fine.” I whispered and turned to Alex. “I’ll go with you. Tyson, Aidan and Tayrin are staying here until we’re back. Depending on what information we get, we take it from there.”

Alex nodded.

“You know the drill.” He said and took off his belt.

I nodded and pulled out my scrunchie from my ponytail, letting my locks cascade down my back. I took the belt Alex handed to me and secured it around my waist while Alex glanced at Tyson nervously.

“I think I might have to break my promise to you.” He said.

Tyson frowned.

“What?” He asked.

“I can’t have a slave with a clean neck.” Alex said. “Especially since word is spreading about our friendship. If we’re gonna sell it, I need to bite her.”

Tyson looked like he was about to explode and I let out a breath.

“Just do it.” I said, but Alex shook his head and looked at Tyson.

“I promised you, I would never feed from Valeria again.” He said. “I want your permission. She’s your mate.”

“I’m my own person.” I snapped. “The only permission you need is mine.”

Tyson sighed.

“She’s right.” He said softly and turned to me, cupping my cheek. “If you want to do this, you don’t need my permission.”

“But please, be careful.” He pleaded and stroked his thumb over my cheek.

“I will.” I replied.

I turned to Alex, who moved my hair away from my neck.

“Are you sure?” He asked.

I shrugged.

“Something’s definitely going on here.” I replied. “And in case there are some insurgent group of vampires here, you probably need help to handle that anyway.”

Alex nodded and his fingers wrapped around the nape of my neck before pulling me closer. I craned my neck to give him more access and gasped when his fangs pricked my skin. Alex didn’t hold on for long before pulling back and tilting my head to the left and sinking his fangs into the other side of my neck. I grasped his arm in surprise, but he pulled back quickly again.

“That will do it.” He whispered. “I’m sorry, Valeria.”

“Don’t be.” I said reassuringly. “I trust you.”

“Thanks.” He said.

“Alright.” I said and fixed my hair. “Let’s go.

We walked back out to the car, unaware of the vampires staring at us from across the street.