Page 21 of Thorn Evermore
“Bye bye, Carlton.”
I wait a few more minutes, listening to his rattled breathing until his heart finally stops. White foam bubbles from his mouth and dribbles down his chin, and his eyes stare unseeing at the sky. Now it’s time for me to do what only a vampire can do.
I scoop him up, along with his drink and the last of the baggie of drugs, and using my super speed, deposit him back in the VIP room. I drop him on the leather sofa, his body slumped over, the people using his name for clout paying zero attention. I’m gone in a flash, back outside and walking down the sidewalk, unseen, unnoticed, unbothered.
That was fun, but no sooner is my work done than the obsessive thoughts that have plagued me since last night return.
Kyson.
If I close my eyes, I can still smell him. Still taste him.
It’s obvious my little obsession isn’t going away until I get another hit of the delicious man. Tomorrow, I’m going to find him. I won’t be able to chill out and enjoy anything until I do.
As morning turns to afternoon, I follow the trail left by the adorable man two nights ago in this exact place. Starting where we met made the most sense to me, and his scent lingers in the air just enough for me to catch it. I’m a regular bloodhound. I snort at my own joke.
“What are you doing, Thorn?”
I twist around in surprise to see Bowie and Syn. “What the fuck? How did you sneak up on me?”
Syn chuckles. “We didn’t sneak. We saw you and came over. Have to admit, you look a little odd sniffing the air.”
Bowie snickers, but tries to hide it.
“I’m looking for someone, if you must know.”
“Working in the middle of the day?” Syn asks.
“Not working. It’s personal.”
“What kind of personal?” Bowie asks. He’s been coming out of his shell more, growing more comfortable interacting with us.
“Thepersonalkind.”
“Oh, romantic?” Syn asks, grinning. “Come on, Thorn. You can tell us.”
“Nah, I’m good. What are you two doing out in the sunlight?”
“Bowie volunteered our services to help Haven and Raph scout locations for their business idea.”
“You could come,” Bowie offers. “It’ll be fun.”
His gesture actually warms my chest for a moment. Since my little breakdown, they’ve all been low-key worried about me, especially the mates. Their humanity lingers closer to the surface.
“Thank you, but I promise I’m good. I’m on a mission at the moment.”
“Definitely romantic then,” Syn replies, winking at me. “If you were in vengeance mode, you’d be more worked up.”
I roll my eyes. “Save the profiling, huh?”
He laughs, wrapping his hand around Bowie’s. “Come on, lover. Leave Thorn to his pursuits. By the way, Viv and Viper are coming to the house at about ten and bringing some new potions and spells to show us. Yves wants us all in attendance.”
“I’ll be there. Have fun.”
“You too,” Syn says, clapping my shoulder.
I watch them walk off, then return my attention to Kyson’s scent. It’s faint, but I’ve got it. It leads me around the city to a small apartment that’s empty, a coffee shop that’s busy, andthen finally to a quaint part of town where the streets are lined with little cafés and boutiques. At the end of the street, the scent is stronger and my gums tingle. He must be here.
I lean my head back to read the sign. Onyx Treasures. Looks like some kind of antique store. Cute.