Page 26 of Tears of Revenge

“No.” His assertive tone left no room for discussion.

Varos retreated into his room, where he paced the length of the space, trying to banish the moment his selfishness had cost him the love of his life.

Vanessa had still been young, with a long, flourishing life ahead of her. But his own disregard for her life had left him unable to leave her. If he hadn’t persuaded her, she would’ve had a long life, likely with a husband and children.

Varos had learned from that mistake. He knew that no matter how much Avalon meant to him, he wouldn’t risk her life for his own happiness.

Only when Lysander awoke did he make his way to the car.

An hour later, they settled into the office where Calinda informed them that she hadn’t received a call from Avalon.

Marcus seemed slightly disappointed, but Varos assumed that no news was good news. After all, she hadn’t declined their invitation. Though Marcus hated attending any kind of meetings, he accompanied Varos all morning. He hated all forms of human contact—outside of Avalon, of course; and feeding. It helped them both pass the time but when Avalon’s lunchtime came and went, they both grew restless.

Another hour passed before Marcus jumped to his feet and stormed towards the door, Lysander watching him closely.

“Maybe she doesn’t want to come anymore.”

Marcus shot his friend a glare with deep, red eyes. “I would rather hear that from her.”

With no further words, Marcus turned and left the office, but not without blinking the red pigment out of his eyes.

Lysander’s disapproval filled the room. There were no words necessary for Varos to know how Lysander felt. He hadn’t said any of his doubts out loud again, but they both knew Lysander condemned their behaviour.

A few moments later, Marcus flew through the office door. “She hasn’t shown up to work today. She was there Monday and received our gift, but no one has heard anything since.”

If it were possible, Varos’s heart would’ve begun to race. His muscles tensed as he rose from his chair. “She doesn’t seem like someone who wouldn’t at least call.”

“I was able to get her address.”

“We should go check on her,” Varos said, agreeing to Marcus’s unspoken suggestion.

They both moved for the door, but Lysander’s words stopped them in their tracks. “And what are you going to tell her when she sees you? She clearly didn’t feel comfortable sharing her private address with you, what makes you think she’ll be okay with you taking it?”

Though Marcus seemed like he couldn’t care less, Varos paused. Avalon had made it very clear that she wasn’t ready for them to know where she lived. Was he really going to break her trust by showing up at her home?

“She will never know we were there,” Marcus retorted, seething with anger and clearly itching to move.

He made his decision and followed Marcus out of the office. Once they’d entered the garage and into the cameras’ blind spots, they vanished.

Avalon lived in a neighbourhood northwest of Houston that most people would rather avoid. They hovered outside her door, listening carefully for any signs of life inside.

“She isn’t home.”

He turned to the voice, locking eyes with a middle-aged woman peering out of the apartment across from Avalon’s.

“She left Monday evening with a dashing young man and hasn’t returned yet.”

He gave the woman a polite smile. “Perhaps you were able to catch his name?”

“They seemed to be in a hurry. But she was very attached to him, clinging on his arm like a lift raft.”

Marcus tensed beside him, a low growl rumbling his chest.

To cover Marcus’s jealousy, he quickly said, “What a shame. We shall return another day then.”

Reluctantly, Marcus followed him as he turned in the direction of the parking lot.

“They got into a black pick-up if that helps,” the neighbour called after them.

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