Page 17 of Crimson Devotion
“What is it, Valerio?”
“It’s Aurelia.’’
My body tenses at the mention of our younger sister, and I immediately start panicking internally.
“What about her?”
“She hasn’t been answering any of our calls. Last time I heard from her was a week ago, and Juliana hasn’t seen her. They were supposed to meet in New York, but Aurelia didn’t show up.’’
“She isn’t dead,’’ I state, trying to convince myself. “She cannot be dead.’’
“I don’t think she’s dead, either. We’ve been through thick and thin for over five hundred years, Ophi. We’d feel if she were dead.’’
“Then what do you suppose happened to her?”
“I don’t know. I’ll go and find out. She was last seen in Los Angeles. I’ll start there and follow her scent. We’ll see where it leads me.’’
“Go.’’
“But…’’ he pauses, reluctant.
“What?”
“I don’t want to leave you alone. I could always tell Darius or Cassius to come.’’
I shake my head. “Absolutely not. I don’t need a babysitter, Valerio.’’
“If that girl over there is truly your mate, you know that something chaotic will happen soon. You need someone to support you.’’
“I said no.’’ I lower my voice.
Valerio backs down, stepping back. I may love all my siblings equally, but I’m one of the oldest. They will respect me, and what I say goes. He cannot tell me what to do, and even Valerio isn’t brave enough to challenge, or try to deny me.
“Yes, Ophi,’’ he sighs. “I’ll leave before dawn.’’
“Good luck. Let me know when you find her.’’
“I will, I promise.’’
For a moment, we just stand there, staring at each other. Then, he puts his hand in his pocket — which is rare, given that pants are usually a foreign concept to him — and pulls out something. The golden shimmer catches my attention, and he tosses it to me.
I catch it with ease, then stare at it.
“My bracelet,’’ I hum, putting it back on. “Thank you.’’
“Welcome. And Ophi?”
“Yes?”
“Be patient with Faith. She’s a new vampire. You may not remember what it’s like to be a new one, but it’s her first time, too. Try not to snap too much, alright?”
I scoff, but by the time I’m ready to answer, Valerio vanishes from sight. All that’s left behind is his scent, and the thoughts in my head. Now I have two things to worry about.
Aurelia is one of the reckless ones. She’s not quite as bloodthirsty or as insane as Juliana, but they’re fairly close. However, her need to see all werewolves dead stems from the hatred that’s connected to a terrible, terrible experience she’d gone through a long time ago. Grudge she cannot let go of. If one of them managed to capture her, it means their entire pack will die soon. And I’m unsure whether that’s a good thing or not.
Then there’s Faith.
Valerio was right; I don’t remember what it was like to be a new vampire. I’ve lived a long time since, and not once did I look back at the days of despair, bloodbaths, and the insanity I’d gone through while transitioning. All I do vividly remember was the pain my entire body was going through. It’s not easy for all organs to shut down at once, to be turned to stone, for all blood to thicken up into the mass that it becomes.
