The Vampire’s Servant novel Chapter 47

After I finished telling them what I had, Marius stormed out of the house. He was, understandably, frustrated. I sat in one of the chairs. I couldn’t follow him, the sun was still out.

Talia came and stood next to me. She pulled me over to rest my head on her chest and held me there. Vampires found a lot of solace in their sires. It was comforting to me to have her there.

“We’ll find her. This wasn’t a failure on the part of anyone. I know you want to blame yourself, but you need to blame the rogues who took her. This feeling will just distract you from what you need to do to find Echo.” She murmured.

“Marius is going to take her, isn’t he?” I asked.

“I wish I could tell you he won’t, but he’s not easily predictable. I can tell him to leave her here or others will find out their connection. He may be past caring. I want to be there for you on this, Victor, but she’s his childe, not mine.” Talia said in a soothing tone.

“I think I travelled the other day. I was in my bed and I could feel and sense everything as if it were real, but it wasn’t.” I told her.

“We’ll test your abilities when you’re not as stressed. Is that why you think she’s your Solus Amor?”

“She was there. I made love to her. It felt right. It felt like it was what everything was building to.” I sighed. “Maybe it was a fantasy.”

“I don’t think you would confuse a fantasy with travelling. You’ve never been a fanciful man, Victor. Even when you came back, you were always like you are. Stern, strict, protective, and solidly planted in reality. If you think this was your abilities growing, then I’m sure it was.” She assured me.

I wrapped my arms around her little waist and held her. Talia stroked my hair and hummed. It was the comfort I needed to get me out of the emotional hole I was working myself into.

She pulled away and kissed the top of my head before letting me go. I released her and stood, righting myself. Talia smiled.

“I will go see where Marius went. He was probably trying to pick up the scent of the rogues. He doesn’t realize how much harder motor vehicles have made tracking through scent. You stay here until it’s dark and then come find us.” She said.

“Yes, Talia. I’ll reach out to Trent and see if he has anything else. Thank you for coming quickly and for helping me calm down. I’m of no use to Echo if I can’t think straight.” I replied.

Talia nodded and left. I was alone in the house. Being alone had never bothered me before, but I found myself feeling desperately lonely.

I headed to my office and called Trent again. He didn’t have anything new. I figured he wouldn’t, but I wanted to check. I turned my chair so I could watch the light fading from the pale windows.

A few minutes later, a familiar scent made me steel myself. The pup was in my house. It grew stronger as he neared my office.

The door opened and I turned to see him in the doorway. Grayson looked as bad as I felt. There was a desperate air around him.

For all that he was a thorn in my side, I could tell he truly cared for Echo. I shouldn’t have been cruel to him earlier. He was a child. If Echo was my Solus Amor, I’d have her eventually. She was his mate. Someone for him to spend this lifetime with.

He could probably use some mentoring to be the man Echo deserved. I’d have to set aside my own jealousy to train him right. My Echo deserved the best.

“Sit down for a bit, Grayson. I need to stay in until the sun is down. We can work on other things until then.”

“How can you think of anything else when she’s missing? Some fucking mutt punched her and carried her away. She’s probably terrified.” He growled.

“How will focusing on things I can’t do help her? How will spiraling into my own feelings get Echo home faster? Who will it help? Instead, I’m going to look at a map and think of the places a person could go to hide her. Then, I’ll call my supports to start organizing vampires to help with the search. My sire and Master Marius are already out there doing what they can. It’s been hours, Grayson. We’ve lost a lot of time because of the sun. They were organized. They knew the best time to try for her was daylight so I couldn’t track them immediately.” I said.

“I couldn’t do anything. I was at the pack house pouting about not getting to spend the morning with her when they took her. Val’s going nuts. He blames himself for not sticking around and making sure she got into the house. What if we don’t find her?” Grayson’s voice quivered.

How could I have seen him as a rival? He was just a boy in love. One who’d never experienced any hardship or true loss.

“I tracked Paul Springer for fifteen years. I gave up my territory and traveled the world looking for him. That was only for a small slight. I will hunt for Echo until the stars grow cold, and you’ll be there with me. We’re going to find her, then you’ll be competing against me, remember?” I smirked.

“Seriously?” He scoffed.

“Yes, though, I have to say, it won’t be much of a competition. You’re selfish, entitled, childish, and annoying. You’ll really have to change if you have any hope of winning Echo from me.”

He growled again and sat in the chair across from me. I wouldn’t use my abilities this time. I would let him meet my eye.

“Echo needs someone who’s capable of feeling things. You’re too cold for her.” Grayson said.

“Then you won’t be needing me to teach you how to actually be competition? You’re absolutely certain that the mate bond is enough to keep her? She’s not as simple as an animal giving into urges that are forced on her. You should have realized that when she didn’t fall into your arms at your first meeting. If you really want a chance, you’ll accept my offer. You stay with me and I’ll teach you how to be the man Echo needs.” I offered.

Grayson looked doubtful. This was killing me. I would do anything to see my Echo happy. If I couldn’t have her in this life, I’d make sure that Grayson was what she deserved. She wasn’t a prize, she was a gift.

“Stay with you? Like what I suggested, or is it just until we find Echo?” He asked.

“Until Echo makes a decision. You stay here as a personal guard to my house. I will teach you how to be a real man instead of a greedy child. Agreed?” I raised my eyebrow.

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