Page 66 of Blood Bound

Twenty minutes. I feel my nostrils flare as I exhale. So much could have happened in that time.

I’m half-jogging in that direction when Marcus appears at my side. “Any luck?” I ask over my shoulder, already knowing the answer. He shakes his head, confirming my suspicions. We reach the hallway only to find it empty. Although when I shut my eyes, I feel a faint energy in the air.

“She was here,” I say, just as Selene and Elias join us. “Any news from out there?”

Elias shakes his head, but Selene nods down the hall. “Bartender says she headed this way,” she corroborates what I’ve learned. I don’t wait to hear more; I stride down the empty hallway until I reach the end. There’s an exit there – likely the one Arabella would have used to enter and leave the Lounge undetected. I shove it open and peer into another elevator. Without waiting for the others, I push the button and wait for the doors to swish open.

“She was here. I know it,” I say under my breath.

“Do you really think you’re going to find her?” Selene steps into the elevator beside me, along with the others.

I shoot a look at her that could melt steel.

She pulls a wry face. “I know. Of course, you’re going to try. It’s just that there isn’t much to go on.”

I grit my teeth, feeling as if my blood is bubbling. “I’ll do whatever it takes to find her. Whatever it takes.”

We exit the elevator, emerging onto the isolated street. The night air carries no trace of Rowan’s scent. The trail has gone cold, leaving us at a dead end.

“Fuck it!” I snarl. “This is Marlowe. I’m going to kill that motherfucker, I swear it!” I feel my rage gathering, driving me.

“You can’t just confront him,” Marcus says, making me want to punch him in the mouth.

“Why the fuck not?” I turn on him.

“Because if he has her – and let’s face it, he probably does,” he quickly acknowledges, “he’ll move her the minute he knows you’re onto him. You can’t go in there unprepared.”

I pause, knowing he’s right. “We need to reach out to our contacts. Now.”

Marcus nods, already pulling out his phone. “I’ll tap into my network, see if anyone’s heard anything.”

“Good,” I say, my mind racing. “Selene, Elias, can you connect with your clan intelligence?”

They both nod, Selene already moving away to make a call.

“What about you?” Marcus asks, probably worried I’ll go off half-cocked. His instincts wouldn’t be wrong. I’ve never felt such an overwhelming need to protect what’s mine.

Mine?

Yes, for fuck’s sake! She’s my match.

I hesitate for a moment, knowing what needs to be done but dreading it all the same. “We need to contact Rowan’s family.”

Marcus looks at me sharply. “Are you sure that’s wise?”

“We don’t have a choice,” I retort. “Her grandmother, Evelyn, she’s the most level-headed and magically powerful. She might be able to sense Rowan or at least point us in the right direction.”

Elias frowns. “The witches might not take kindly to vampire involvement.”

“I don’t care,” I growl. “Evelyn has access to ancient magical knowledge. If anyone can help track Rowan, it’s her.”

After a moment of tense silence, Marcus nods. “Alright. We’ll split up. Selene and Elias, work your contacts. I’ll do the same. Darick…”

“I’m going to Evelyn,” I finish for him. “Keep me updated on anything you find.”

As they disperse, I take a deep breath, readying myself for the confrontation to come. Whatever it takes, I think again. Whatever it takes to bring Rowan home.

I’m still thinking these thoughts minutes later as I stand at the threshold of Evelyn Blackwood’s door. It swings open without me knocking, and I find myself staring into eyes that are so familiar that my pulse stutters. She’s a carbon copy – although more mature – of her granddaughter.

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