Page 29 of Fangs and Fudge

I wanted to ask her what she was up to, but it was Vena, and she was the type who needed answers when life failed her. Having Anchor missing was a major failure.

“Make sure to sleep,” I said.

“I will.”

Closing the door, I claimed the bathroom and got ready for bed while my mind raced. Anchor was missing. Gunther had been abused in numerous ways by a vampire most certainly associated with the vampires who’d controlled Juicy. And Shepard was the alpha wolf of D.C.

Cross needed to know what was happening.

I toweled off too quickly and had to fight to get my pajamas on over damp skin. Covered, I left the bathroom and called to Doc that it was free then closed myself in my bedroom.

When I grabbed my purse to fish out my phone, I found a note from MC tucked inside. He had written his phone number down in case I needed him for anything. The message said to give the number to Vena as well.

Placing it on the nightstand, I resumed my search and found my phone with a chocolate wrapper stuck to the screen. I plucked it off with a frown. Had I eaten it, or had Vena snarfed my chocolate again?

Focus, Everly. Chocolate isn’t the problem.

I typed a message to Cross.

Me: One of the guys from Blur was taken by a vampire. He was able to get back to Blur, but he was fed on and is in bad shape. The vampire gave him a message that made it sound like the vampires are staking their territory in D.C. Do you know anything about it?

As I waited for Cross’ response, I tucked myself under the covers. My fingers trembled.

After seeing Gunther, who could blame me for the fear I felt? Just imagining what he had gone through made my insides churn. While I knew vampires and wolves were enemies, the attack had gone beyond violent. It was as if the vampire took pleasure in the assault. And that kind of person scared me more than any other.

My phone buzzed with a message.

Cross: I haven’t heard anything. Who was taken?

Me: His name is Gunther.

Cross: I will check into it. Are you safe?

Me: I’m at home. Doc is here with us.

Cross: Good. If you need anything, call me.

Me: Can you check into one more thing? Anchor is missing as well. No one knows where he is. I’m afraid he might have been taken by the vampires too.

Cross: I’ll check on him as well. I’ll be in touch tomorrow.

Me: Thank you.

It looked like he was replying to my text, but after a moment, the little dots went away. I placed the phone on my nightstand and turned off the lights.

Dreams I couldn’t quite remember teased the back of my mind as the morning light prodded me awake. I curled deeper under my covers, not wanting to get out of bed and face a new day. I wanted a vacation from summer break already, and it had barely even started.

Where were the nights out laughing, drinking, and having fun? Where were the days spent on the beach in our bikinis? Vena and I should have gone with Piper and Robyn to Europe.

But no, Vena and I had wanted to make money, not spend it. She’d wanted to hunt, and I’d wanted to serve at Blur. Where had everything gone so wrong?

I realized my mood was spiraling and shook my head. This kind of thinking wasn’t going to solve anything. If I wanted a better life, I needed to put some effort into making it one.

Sitting up, I reached for my phone and saw a message from almost an hour ago.

Cross: There are three wolves lurking around your home, and the one on your couch hasn’t left yet. Regretfully, I’m unable to wake you this morning. Call me.

The text was followed by three pictures. One of Ink leaning against a tree by the tracks. One of Thruster sitting in a beat-up car at the end of the block. And another of Jaws on our neighbor’s front porch with his feet up on her railing like he lived there.

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