Page 27 of Blood Bound

Sighing, I drag myself out of bed and stumble to the bathroom. As I remove my glasses, the face staring back at me in the mirror looks as conflicted as I feel. Dark circles under my eyes betray my restless night, and my auburn hair is a wild mess.

As I splash cold water on my face, I try to sort through all my emotions. Anger at Darick for his lies and manipulation. Frustration with myself for even considering his offer. And underneath it all, a gnawing worry about Mia and what those photos really mean.

I grip the edges of the sink, taking deep breaths. “Come on, Ro,” I tell my reflection. “You don’t need him. You’ll find Mia on your own.”

But even as I say the words, a small part of me wonders if I’m making a huge mistake.

“You’re not doing this alone,” says Poppy from where she’s using my toothbrush to comb her tail. “Kara’s in it with you, remember?”

“Exactly! And that’s what I need to get ready for right now,” I respond brightly, reaching for my toothbrush and tossing it in the trashcan. Straightening up, I head to my room and dress quickly in jeans and a T-shirt.

With a breezy goodbye to the squirrel, I grab my purse and head out, the cool morning air helping to clear my head. The drive to the coffee shop gives me time to collect my thoughts, pushing aside the lingering confusion about Darick and focusing on what really matters: finding Mia.

As I push open the door to the Jumping Bean, the rich scent of coffee envelops me. Kara’s already there, her rose-gold hair catching the early morning light as she waves me over to a corner table.

“You look like hell, Ro,” she says, sliding a steaming mug toward me. “Hazelnut cappuccino might help.”

I collapse into the chair across from her. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, sis.” I stay carefully clear of any mention of the vampire on my doorstep last night.

Kara leans forward, her eyes sparkling with determination. “So, I’ve been thinking about our next move,” she says. “We need to start by tracking down every lead we have on Mia’s disappearance.”

I wrap my hands around the warm mug, grateful for its grounding presence. “I’m all ears,” I say, taking a sip of the strong brew. “But where do we even start? It’s been a year, and we’ve hit nothing but dead ends.”

Kara pulls out a notebook, flipping it open to reveal pages of scribbled notes. “I’ve been compiling everything we know,” she says. “Every rumor, every potential sighting. There’s got to be a pattern we’re missing.”

I straighten my glasses, scanning her meticulous notes. “Kara, this is…wow. When did you have time to do all this?”

She shrugs, a hint of sadness crossing her face. “I couldn’t sleep. Not while knowing Mia’s out there somewhere.”

I reach out and squeeze her hand. “We’re going to find her,” I say, trying to inject confidence into my voice.

Kara nods, her expression hardening with resolve. “Exactly. Now, I think our best bet is to start with the last place Mia was seen. There’s got to be something we overlooked.”

As Kara outlines her plan, I feel a spark of hope ignite in my chest. Maybe we can do this. Maybe we don’t need Darick or anyone else. Just two sisters, determined to bring their family back together.

But a lot of what Kara is suggesting is ground we’ve already covered.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what I’m about to suggest. “Kara, I don’t think retracing Mia’s steps is going to get us anywhere new. We’ve been down that road before.” I pause, watching her face fall slightly. “But…I think I might have an idea.”

Kara sets her chai latte down, curiosity piqued. “I’m listening.”

“What if we dig deeper into the vampire community itself? Get in with them?” The words tumble out before I can second-guess myself.

Kara’s eyebrows shoot up, her eyes widening. “Wow, Ro. That’s…bold. I didn’t expect that from you.”

I shrug, trying to play it cool despite the nervous flutter in my stomach. “Yeah, well, desperate times and all that.”

A slow smile spreads across Kara’s face. “You know, that’s not a bad idea. In fact…” She lowers her voice, glancing around the coffee shop. “I might know a place we could start. Have you ever heard of the Nocturne Lounge?”

I shake my head, and Kara’s eyes light up with excitement. She leans in even closer. “It’s this underground club where vampires hang out. Super exclusive, totally off the radar for most humans aside from blood groupies. I’ve heard rumors about it for years but never had a reason to check it out. Or the nerve.”

“How do you even know about this place?” I ask, surprised by my sister’s knowledge.

Kara grins, a mischievous glint in her eye. “I have my sources. Plus, unlike some people, I actually pay attention to the gossip at coven meetings.”

I roll my eyes but can’t help smiling. This is the Kara I remember from before Mia disappeared – clever, daring, always three steps ahead of everyone else.

“So, what’s the deal with this lounge?” I ask, finding myself genuinely intrigued.

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