Valeria and Sera looked at each other, obviously dumbfounded. “Violet never said anything about being in danger, but you know her, she isn’t afraid of much. If someone was after her, she might have tried to take care of it herself.”
It sounded like the Violet he knew. He was proud of her and furious at the thought of anyone trying to hurt her.
Time was passing, and he knew the witch’s life was slipping away. Just as he was about to turn and start searching by himself, a wave of suffering started at the ball of his stomach and expanded like a flash fire throughout his body.
Blinded by pain, Finn fell to his knees, but this time, he fought it, allowing his consciousness to remain active. Dissociating himself from his body, Finn pushed to find that small link that connected him to Violet. If he could get any piece of information, it was worth it.
He felt his body being transported, but inside, he was reaching out, calling Violet’s name repeatedly.
Finn didn’t know exactly what was happening to her, but it felt like she was being skinned and dismembered. Rage exploded inside him, every cell in his body wanted to get to her, protect her. His body jerked and spasmed, he even felt blood pouring out of him, but still, he pushed.
He could hear Soren’s voice through the fog, calling his name, but Finn ignored him. He knew he wouldn’t be able to keep the contact for long.
Then he saw images for the first time. Distorted at first but becoming clearer. Finn realized he was seeing through Violet’s eyes, through her tears. He hadn’t thought it was possible to connect with anyone that strongly, shared blood or not, to the point where you could see through their eyes.
Two shadows loomed over Violet, the lack of light not helping to discern any features or identifying marks. They felt male to him, but he could be wrong.
Violet?
Apart from sobbing, she didn’t speak.
Violet, darling. I’m with you. Tell me where you are.
Pain flashed again for a moment, and when it receded, Violet’s faint inner voice spoke one last time.
Thank you for staying with me, Finn. I didn’t want to die alone. You’re a good man.
For the first time in his life, Finn was seized with panic when after a final flash of light, he couldn’t feel Violet anymore.
When he opened his eyes again, Finn felt like crying for the first time in centuries—since he’d been turned into a vampire. Was Violet dead? Was that what he’d felt when they disconnected? Her last words made him scream.
“I guess he’s awake. Hold him down.”
He didn’t recognize Valeria’s voice at first as two strong arms held him down on the cold floor.
“Calm down, pal. You’re safe. You’re at Sanctuary.”
Finn relaxed until the hands released him. He swiped at his eyes and wasn’t surprised to see blood again. Now sitting on the floor, he looked around and blinked. There were candles and white lines and symbols on the floor around him. In fact, he wasn’t in the kitchen anymore, but what looked like the basement.
He didn’t seem to have lost much blood apart from what was on his face, at least not enough to make him need to feed again.
“What’s happened?”
Valeria and Sera crouched before him. The blond witch grabbed his hand. “Have you made contact?”
Unexpectedly, words seized in his throat, and he had to force them out. “I did connect. I even saw through her eyes for a brief moment.” Finn braced himself and looked up at Violet’s two friends. “And she told me she was glad I was with her because she didn’t want to die alone.”
Valeria lowered her head while Sera cried out and turned toward Ian, who took her in his arms. Asher crouched beside his mate and rubbed her back, looking at him.
Finn shook his head. “I don’t know what’s happened. It was the last thing she said, and then there was a blinding flash of light.” With Soren’s help, he got to his feet. “What am I doing here?”
Valeria rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand. “When you suffered that bout of pain, Sera suggested we try and locate Violet through you, use the link between you to narrow the possibilities.”
“Did it work?”
Valeria sighed. “We only got a few random images, nothing concrete. A few crosses and stone spears.”
Something stirred inside him. “Spears? Describe them to me.”
When she did, Finn realized he knew the place. “It’s an abandoned vampire haunt outside of town. It seems that some of us are getting a kick out of old clichés and chose that cemetery. It’s a small one dating back to the colonies, overgrown and abandoned. Well, most of the time.”
Bolstered, Valeria went for the door. “What are you waiting for, let’s go get her! Now!”
Finn grimaced. “It’s a bad idea for you to go. If there are vampires there, they’ll sense you coming in a minute, and you’ll endanger her. Same for you two werewolves, and even you, Soren. I know you’re powerful, but vampires are sly, you know that.”
Soren nodded. “I agree, but can’t you shield one of us? You have the ability to do that.”
Finn shook his head. “If they’re expecting to be attacked, their guard will be up, and apart from bringing a human, the chances of remaining undetected are slim.”
At that moment, Finn regretted not having a potential ally within the vampire community. His desire for freedom may have cost the witch her life.
“Bring Hunter with you.”
Asher’s suggestion made him frown. He’d known the human cop for a little while now. The man was open-minded and had been useful so far.
He may have hesitated if Asher hadn’t taken out his phone to call him before Finn could find an excuse not to. Apart from the obvious risk to his life, he didn’t doubt he could shield the man from vampires until it was too late, but if he had to fight off a full-fledged attack and try
