Page 32 of Blood Lost

“The hunters are getting closer to finding Delilah. It looks like they identified her. I’m still not sure how.” Eli had been searching news outlets for weeks, tracking every story released through human and vampire media.

“What can I do?” I had a hunch that I was about to be asked to do the impossible. Eli and Vik exchanged a glance, and I knew I was right.

“We need you to call Kayden and find out what they know. We need to figure out a way to throw them off.” Eli explained.

“He’s not going to talk to me. I won’t be able to find anything out for you.” I tried to explain several times that my former best friend wouldn’t be taking my calls any time soon. None of them seemed to understand.

“Can’t you just try?” Delilah asked. I knew the moment she spoke that I would do this. It didn’t matter that it was idiotic. No matter how hard I tried to deny it, I was in love with her and would do anything for her.

“Okay. I’ll call him. What do you want me to say?” I sighed, feeling defeated. Would my best friend even take my call? I had no idea. I hadn’t spoken to him since the night I’d tried to have him search for Delilah. I was a dick that night and he told me as much.

Eli explained what they hoped to learn from the hunters, and I took notes. It would be easier for me to call Kayden without anyone else around. I didn’t need Vik losing his temper at something I said and freaking out. Once I had everything written out and Eli checked it, I went into my room and dialed Kayden’s number.

The new phone would show up as my actual number, which was something I’d never heard of being possible. But Eli had a ton of tech delivered, and I had no idea what some of it was. The phone rang and I stared at the list of things I was supposed to try to ask.

“It’s about time you called to apologize. You were an ass.” Kayden’s deep timbre vibrated through the speaker.

“I know. And I am sorry. I was so obsessed with that girl that I couldn’t think straight.” It wasn’t a lie. I just left out the fact that I was still just as obsessed with her.

“Did you find her?” There was something in his voice. Did he know?

“Yeah. She had a boyfriend that I didn’t know about.” I hoped that he would drop this line of questioning.

“Huh. Who is he?” Kayden was fishing.

“I don’t know, some rich guy. What are you up to?” I hoped to change the subject and get him to tell me something.

“Manhunt for a killer. Haven’t you watched the news lately?” He growled, irritated that I didn’t know.

“Nah, I’ve been out of town for a while. Trying to clear my head and move on from this girl.” It was another near lie. Not quite true, not quite false.

“A vamp killed a girl in a store. We’re closing in on them.”

“Them? So, the vamp had help?” I held my breath while I waited for his response.

“There were at least three of them. Killed the girl and took off. No evidence and no trace. But we found a witness.” Kayden sounded impressed with himself for his investigating skill.

“Where’d you find a witness? I thought you said there was no evidence.” I had to be very careful how I worded things. I didn’t want him to know that I was one of the people he was hunting.

“Some girl saw a couple of guys come into the store with a girl. Said she wouldn’t have thought twice about it, but the one guy was a jerk and made everyone leave. Probably pre-meditated.”

“Well, it’s good you got a lead. I’m gonna have to go. I have some plans to finalize for a client. I’m glad you don’t hate me anymore. Talk soon.” I hung up the call before he could ask me anything else. A witness was bad.

Chapter 38

Delilah

Declan’s call to Kayden was good because it gave us more info than we had before. It was bad in that we found out there was a witness. “A witness? Someone saw what I did?” Panic had set in and I couldn’t focus on the conversation.

Eli grabbed my face and made me look at him. “No. No one saw what you did. I destroyed the camera footage. Someone saw us when we entered the shop. They’re saying a gang ran them out. Unless they got a good look, we’ll be fine.” He pressed his forehead to mine and held me there.

His words did nothing to calm me. I was going to be put to death for murdering that girl. I had no idea why I’d done it. I wasn’t that type of person. My deep dark secret was that I enjoyed it. I relished drinking her blood, knowing I was draining her of what she needed to live. I could never tell my guys. They wouldn’t understand and I’d be labeled a monster. How could they still love me if they knew the truth?

I reached for Declan’s hand while Vik paced the floor. To say I was terrified was an understatement. Part of me wanted to turn myself in because I thought I deserved death for what I did. Another part was excited that I’d gotten away with it so far. Then there was the part of me that was scared. There had to be a way out of this.

“Are we any closer to finding out who drugged her?” Declan asked. I thought he was talking to Eli, but I saw that he had directed it to Vik when I looked up.

He shook his head. “The last lead didn’t pan out. A new kingpin took over the city’s operation, but no one is talking. I can’t find anyone who knows who he is or where he came from.”

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