Chapter Thirty
Madison came awake slowly, her body stiff and heavy. She turned her head to the side to find the bed empty of Simon.
She rolled to the side of the mattress and pushed to her feet, noticing an emptiness inside, she’d never experienced before.
Pulling on her boots, Madison left the bedroom and made her way into the living room where Vlad sat on the sofa speaking to Angel and Shon.
Everyone looked up when she entered the room.
Vlad spoke first. “Can you explain Simon’s absence?”
Madison’s stomach tightened. “He’s gone?”
“I have not felt his presence since I awoke,” Vlad murmured, rising to his full height. “When did you see him last?”
“When I fell asleep this morning.”
Sawyer stepped from the kitchen holding a cup of coffee in his hand. “He didn’t leave out the front door. I would have seen him.”
Madison couldn’t think straight. Her brain hadn’t come fully awake. “Why would he leave without telling anyone? Especially with Svetlana and the warlocks in town?”
“It’s pretty obvious to me.” Shon stood as well. “He answered the call.”
“The call?” But Madison knew what he meant. She simply didn’t want to believe it.
Vlad took pity on her. “Svetlana’s summons. And I can assure you that he would not have gone had it not been for the warlocks’ influence.”
That news should make Madison feel better, but it didn’t. “What are we going to do?”
“We are going after him,” Vlad assured her. “It’s safer for you if you stay inside these walls.”
Madison’s mouth dropped open. “You expect me to cower inside the condo while Svetlana has Simon?”
Vlad nodded. “That is exactly what I expect you to do. You have no idea what you are up against. The warlocks are extremely evil, and they possess more power in their little finger than even the strongest vampire can withstand. That’s not including Svetlana’s hatred of you.”
“Then how are you three expected to save him?”
With a shrug, Vlad touched her on the shoulder and moved toward the door. He looked back at her as he gripped the doorknob. “There’s power in numbers. The warlocks cannot control us all. At least I hope that is the case.”
He stepped out onto the sidewalk, Angel and Shon tight in his heels.
Sawyer set his cup on the bar separating the kitchen from the living room before moving to the door as well. “Don’t leave this condo. You’ll be safe as long as you stay inside.” And just like that, he was gone.
Madison paced in front of the sofa, feeling her strength returning by the second. It irked her to stay behind and cower like a puppy while the rest of them were out there facing Svetlana and the warlocks.
What if one of the warlock’s killed Simon? Madison’s heart turned over in her chest.
Could she really live with herself knowing Simon died while she stayed sat at the condo, walking a hole in the carpet? She couldn’t. He would come after her if the shoe were on the other foot.
With her mind made up, Madison yanked a scrunchie free of her jeans pocket and pulled her hair back into a ponytail before sailing out the front door and into the chilly New Orleans night.
Unsure of which direction to go, Madison closed her eyes and opened her mind.
An image of the haunted cemetery flashed through her mind. She opened her eyes and shot through a nearby alley before emerging onto Bourbon Street. Still, she ran.
The cemetery came into view a few seconds later. Madison could feel the death, the evil, and…Simon.
She blurred her way through the gate, only to come up short when Simon and Svetlana came into view, their hands interlocked.
“Well, isn’t this the sweetest thing,” Svetlana crooned, tugging Simon closer to her side. “Your little pet has come to save the day.”
Simon’s eyes were vacant orbs of baby blue. He stood there seemingly relaxed in Svetlana’s hold.
A shadow moved in Madison’s peripheral, letting her know they weren’t alone. The warlocks were amongst them.
Simon launched at her, taking her to the unforgiving ground without warning. The air whooshed from her lungs, and pain shot through her back.
Her hands shot up to push against Simon’s chest. “Simon?”
He ignored her, his fingers moving to wrap around her throat.
Svetlana’s tinkering laughter rang out through the cemetery. “That’s right, my love. End her!”
Madison was powerless against Simon’s strength. She could only stare up into his lifeless eyes while her heart cracked in half.
Something flickered in Simon’s gaze, and his grip loosened a touch. He tilted his head to the side as if seeing her for the first time.
“Please,” Madison whispered, hoping against hope that he could hear her.
Three shadows appeared behind him, murmuring words Madison couldn’t understand. The fingers around her throat tightened once more.