Page 65 of Blood Bound
My second-in-command’s eyes narrow slightly. He understands the implications. A blood bond isn’t easily severed; a blood match is permanent. Unless-
Don’t think that way, dammit. She’s not dead.
“Could she be blocking you somehow?” he asks, but I can tell he doesn’t believe it himself.
“No,” I snap. “This is different. Something’s happened to her.”
I turn, ready to tear the lounge apart for any clue of Rowan’s whereabouts. The thought of her in danger, possibly because of me, ignites a rage I haven’t felt in centuries.
Marcus grabs my arm, his grip firm. “Darick, wait. We need to think this through. Rushing in blindly won’t help her.”
I growl, but he’s right. I force myself to take a deep breath, to think like the strategist I am. “Fine. But we move fast. Every second counts.”
In one last ditch effort, I close my eyes, reaching out with my vampiric senses, searching for any trace of Rowan’s presence. Nothing. Just…emptiness, that sense of aloneness that had been my normal until she came into it. My eyes snap open, and I make a decision.
“Lock it down,” I order Marcus. “No one leaves the club until we find her.”
Without waiting for a response, I stride to the DJ booth and cut the music. The sudden silence draws all eyes to me.
“The Nocturne Lounge is now closed,” I announce, my voice carrying easily across the room. “Everyone remain where you are until further notice.”
Confused murmurs ripple through the crowd, but I ignore them. I gesture to the security team, who immediately move to secure the exits. The panic in my chest threatens to overwhelm me, but I force it down. I have to find her. I don’t care how.
I turn to see Selene and Elias approaching, their faces colored with concern.
“Darick, what’s happening?” Selene asks, her eyes ranging over the turbulent scene.
“Rowan’s missing,” I say brusquely. “The blood bond’s gone silent. We need to find her. Now.”
Elias’s brow furrows. “Gone silent? That’s…unusual.”
I resist the urge to snarl at him. “Yes, I’m aware. That’s why we’re locking this place down.”
Without waiting for their response, I stride toward a group of patrons seated near the alcove I’d been in with Rowan earlier. My eyes lock onto a young vampire, barely a century old. “You!”
He jerks as if I slapped him. “My lord?”
“There was a female here. A witch. Red hair. Black outfit. Beautiful. Where did she go?”
I let my power flow, compelling him to answer truthfully. His eyes glaze over slightly as he responds, “I- I never saw anyone like that, my lord.”
For fuck’s sake!
I turn to the others in his group. “Anyone? Did any of you see anything? It would have been about thirty minutes ago.”
Thirty minutes too long, goddammit.
They all shake their heads, looking bemused.
Frustrated, I move on to the next group. From the corner of my eye, I see Marcus heading toward the VIP section while Selene makes her way to the bar. Elias lingers near the entrance, questioning those closest to the door.
I approach a witch sitting alone at a table. She flinches as I near her, but I don’t care. “There was a red-haired witch…” I run through the description yet again, already feeling like this is a waste of time.
The witch’s eyes widen in alarm. “I- I saw her leave through the back. She looked upset.”
“When?” I press, my voice low and dangerous.
“Not long. Maybe…maybe twenty minutes?” she stammers. “That way.” She points to a passage on the other side of the dancefloor.