Heath

“HEATH!”

I came rushing out of the kitchen with a blood bag slapped to my fangs. My father, Sarkan Rune, stood in the grand entry, his hands fisted at his side. I stopped dead in my tracks. His fangs were extended, and his face was distorted in anger.

“I need you to go to the TriPlex and bring back the Changeling.”

I raised a brow.

“Don’t question me, just go.”

I turned, rolled my eyes, and returned to the kitchen. Draining the remaining blood, I tossed the empty bag in the garbage. Longingly, I looked at the fridge, wanting another bag, but Sarkan’s command wasn’t giving me time for a second serving.

I grabbed my keys on my way out the garage door and slid behind the wheel of my car, which was parked in the driveway. The TriPlex is a collection of three apartment buildings that are owned and maintained by the Rune family. Humans and supernatural alike live in the buildings.

Sarkan didn’t need to elaborate on which Changeling he wanted brought in because there’s only one in Atcalm. I entered apartment complex C and went straight to the Changeling’s apartment. Complex C is for supernaturals only. I know everyone who lives here, maybe not personally, but at least by creature classification.

“Open up, Changeling.” I banged on the door.

No answer. I stretched my hearing. There was no sound coming from beyond the door. I took a step back, braced myself, and kicked in the door. I really should have grabbed the master key from Sarkan. No one came running, either from down the hall or within the apartment.

“What a mess.” I grumbled, stepping past the threshold.

The Changeling isn’t a messy creature. The apartment was torn apart as if someone was looking for something. The couch cushions were tossed aside, drawers and cabinets were thrown open, while papers littered the floor. I made my way to the bedroom. It looked ransacked too, and a god-awful smell filled the small space.

Plugging my nose didn’t do much. Where is it coming from? I walked around the bed. The scent was stronger at the dresser. I pulled it away from the wall.

“What’s this?” I pondered, bending down to pick up a locket. I smiled. “The Changeling’s memento.”

Closing the locket filled with dried droplets of blood, I put it in my jeans pocket and pulled out my cell phone. If this locket is the reason for the apartment being torn apart, then Sarkan would surely want it in his possession. The Changeling will want it back.

“The Changeling isn’t here.” I said into the phone as I left the apartment.

“Bring something of the Changelings.” Sarkan said after a moment’s pause. “I’ll have Lily track the creature.”

I stumbled at the mention of Lily’s name. “It left its memento behind.”

“Good. Bring it.”

He hung up. If my heart could beat, it would be. There’s something about Lily Rosswell that has gotten under my skin since the day we met and has only grown over the centuries.

The drive back to the Rune residence had me constantly running my hand through my hair in a nervous gesture. That single blood bag won’t be enough to sustain me with Lily around. Her scent alone makes my mouth water.

Sarkan was pacing in the grand entry when I entered. “Good. Lily will be here soon.”

It’s a good thing vampires don’t have a reflection, because I had an urge to check my appearance. Maybe I should get that second blood bag before Lily arrived on Sarkan’s doorstep. Awareness snaked up my spine. Too late. She’s already here. I had just enough time to sit on the staircase steps before she walked in.

I took her in. From the way her brown locks were pulled over one shoulder, to how her naturally brown eyes had a ring of Amethyst around the iris, indicating that she’s used her magic recently. Her hair was still damp. Droplets of water fell onto her V-neck t-shirt, and her form-fitting jeans probably hugged her ass to perfection. If she turned around, I could confirm that.

The only thing marring my perusal of her was her shadow—Edwin—the fallen angel. He’s always by her side. I don’t miss the way he looks at her, with longing and lust in those green eyes of his. I don’t like it. I don’t like him. Never have.