29. Blood

Chapter twenty-nine

Blood

*AURELIA*

T he prospect of having tomorrow night and the day after off motivates us all. Emilien is right, we need the break. When Arden and I retire to bed, we are both exhausted but also excited. We want to spend New Year's Eve with Vander and my friends as well as each other.

We are cuddling under the blanket, about to fall asleep, when my phone lights up with a message. "That's from Liam," I mutter.

Hi Aurelia. Met with my contact at the police today. He showed me the body. Like you said, the wrist was tattooed. You mentioned a rune. I couldn't detect which one it was, but I'm sure it was one before they removed the skin. Some traces are still there.

Thank you! The holes? I ask.

At that, my phone rings, and I pick up swiftly.

"It's easier this way," Liam says. "I wasn't aware you were still awake."

"Technically, I am not." I chuckle, sitting up in bed. Arden looks at me curiously and sits up as well.

"I'm very happy you met your mate," he says all of a sudden. "I can't wait to meet him."

I smile. "Thank you."

"Alright, the reason for my call—" he starts.

"Can I put you on speaker?"

"Oh, you are with him?"

"Yes, and he is the one leading the team," I explain. "His knowledge is broader than mine."

"Of course, I see no reason why he shouldn't be able to listen too."

I put my phone on speaker and sat it between me and Arden.

"Can you hear me?" Liam asks.

"Yes," I say.

"Me too," Arden mutters. "And hello, it's nice to meet you."

"Likewise," Liam says. "I'm Aurelia's oldest brother."

"I know," Arden says, sounding nervous all of a sudden. "She told me so much about you."

"Really," Liam deadpans. "I wish she would talk more about you! I met with Marius yesterday, and he complained you didn't tell him anything either. You know what happens when you keep secrets—they all pester me for answers!"

"There is no way I will talk with my brothers about my mate." I laugh. "You got his name, and I told you he is amazing. You don't need to hear more."

"Well, we'll see each other soon, anyway," Liam says.

I grin. "I swear they are nice," I whisper towards Arden.

Arden smiles slightly. He sounds nice, he links me.

"Okay, back to the topic," Liam says. "The holes were there also"

"So, we have three bodies with these tiny holes now," I say. "It's definitely a pattern."

"Listen, Aurelia, this might be a stretch because they are all over the body, but you told us it's all about the blood and the blood group. AB negative is rare, very rare."

"Yes." Arden and I exchange a gaze, our curiosity rising.

"You have an idea where the holes are from, Alpha Liam?" Arden asks.

"I reached out to a friend and ally," he says. "And consulted with him. It's a possibility…" he pauses. "He is a vampire ally. Rare blood groups can be like drugs for vampires," he explains. "Silas says that some vampires are drawn to certain blood groups in particular, simply because they are rare. Like you collect rare gems."

"The rarer, the more valuable," Arden says breathlessly. "They are drinking from them!"

"Yes, and when more than one vampire feeds from a person, they don't only drink from their neck," Liam adds. "It's forbidden, though. Silas was furious when he heard it. Vampires have strict rules they follow. They sire humans who volunteer, or they get their blood from blood banks."

"Why didn't they? Get the blood from there?" I ask.

"Because it's different to feed from a living person," Arden mutters. "I bet the blood tastes differently."

"Yes, Silas verified that," Liam says. "In addition, it's werewolf blood. Did the tox screen say anything?"

"Yes, the autopsy report says they were drugged."

"Just like with the victim I saw," Liam says. "I showed the autopsy report to Silas. Listen, drugs that work on humans or on us to keep us meek and quiet don't work the same on vampires. Silas claims that at least one of the drugs can work as an aphrodisiac to vampires, and one works like ecstasy."

"You are kidding!?" I blurt out.

"No, you have to see it from a vampire's point of view, now," Liam says.

"So, they buy humans with fresh AB negative blood," I mutter. "And drug them to enhance the experience."

"It's not just that," Arden says. "They also enjoy the life leaving their bodies. I bet they keep their humans for a couple of weeks and make sure to keep them alive for a short time span. It's a thrill for them. Remember, Aurelia, they abduct wolves with AB negative blood, but they don't care about gender or age. Our kidnappers truly don't care for what their victims look like, but their customers might. That's what the auction is for. It's like they are ordering them!"

"I have a name for you," Liam continues. "One of Silas's contacts. You can contact him. Maybe he can tell you more."

I sit up a bit straighter. "Liam, that's amazing."

Arden grabs a pen and a sheet of paper, nodding at me.

"His name is Alexander Baudelaire." He also tells us his address, my French isn't really good enough to catch it, but fortunately, my mate grew up in France and scribbles it down. I really need to improve my French. I don't see myself living here or in the Council at the moment, but here are my mate's roots, and here is also the root of the lycans.

Liam even has a phone number for us. "Alexander said he would be up to meeting you for brunch tomorrow, in case you have time."

Arden nods at me. "We have time," I tell him. "Just send me the place where he wants to meet us."

Liam does so, and I feel like we are making a huge step forward, finally. "Thank you, Liam," I say. "You're truly amazing."

"Anytime."

Arden and I decide to head to Paris earlier than our date with Alexander. We are set to meet in Montmartre, and my mate wants to show me around there. I'm more of a small-town girl, and Paris is truly fascinating to me. The architecture, the old city center, the cathedrals, the restaurants and shops. "I really should travel more," I say to Arden when he shows me the Sacré Coeur. "There is so much I haven't seen yet."

"Let's do it," he encourages me. "It will take a couple of years for you to take over the alpha position. While we prepare for our new roles, we can take advantage of our independence and travel more."

"You are right. I don't think Dad will have anything against it. In fact, I think he might approve. Okay." I grab my phone and turn it around. "Mom told me if I don't send her a picture with you, she will come to Paris in person to see you."

When he blinks at me, I grin. "You haven't met my mom. This is not an empty threat. She might just pop up right behind us at some point."

He smiles, putting an arm around me, while I take a cheesy selfie of us in front of the Sacré Coeur, then another one with the both of us taking a bite of a croissant. I send it to my mom, and within minutes I receive an answer with lots of heart emojis and that she wants to hear all the details later.

When we walk through Montmartre, it strikes me that I'm in the city of love with my mate. I met him here. It's almost cheesy.

"What's going on inside your head?" Arden asks curiously. "I can almost hear you think."

I chuckle. "I just realized I met my mate."

"Good thing you realized that now," he teases.

I elbow him playfully. "You know what I mean."

He nods, squeezing my hand a little tighter. Eventually, I notice him fumbling with his hearing aid.

Maxima raises her head, looking worried. Mate's not feeling well.

We have been out for a while, now, and there are a lot of people around us, I explain to her. You know he and Cato don't like that.

"How about we walk through the park?" I suggest. "And then, go to the restaurant Alexander wants to meet us at."

"We haven't seen everything, yet," he points out.

"It's not my last day in Paris," I reassure him.

He kisses the back of my hand and smiles. We spend an hour strolling through the park while Arden answers all my questions and tells me about all the sights we saw and more facts about Paris. When we arrive at the cafeteria Alexander is supposed to meet us at, Arden looks flustered.

"I talked too much. I'm sorry for boring you. Sometimes, when I start spouting facts, I can't seem to stop.

"Why do you think I was bored?" I ask, surprised. "I didn't know much about Paris, but this is your home, and this is also where my roots as a lycan are. Of course, I'm interested."

"It's just, sometimes it's hard for me to read the atmosphere," he admits. "And I bombard everyone with facts although they haven't asked."

"Don't worry." I grin. "I'm very capable of putting a stop to someone talking-and talking-if it gets too much for me. Even if it's my mate."

He chuckles, pulling me into a swift hug and kissing me. When he draws back, he takes my face between his hands and rests his forehead against mine. I like how he looks at me and the way he touches me. He doesn't look at me like I'm just a piece of meat. He is genuinely interested in me, in how I feel, and what I want.

"Come," he says gently, taking my hand again. "I can smell a vampire."

I chuckle. "Me too. He is already here."

We step inside the beautiful café. It's a bit secluded and looks exclusive. I spot Alexander, instantly. He sticks out like only certain vampires do. He must be full-blooded, I link Arden.

What makes you say that?

An instinct, I say. I've met Silas before, the vampire my brother mentioned. He is a full-blooded vampire. They have a special aura.

I know these are not facts, yet Arden nods, taking me by my word instead of pushing for any real proof.

Alexander stands up when we come closer, greeting us politely. He tilts his head while his sharp blue eyes scan Arden and me. "My brother said a female lycan alpha and a prodigy would be coming. Very intriguing indeed."

"Your brother…" I mutter. "Well, you are a step ahead, it seems. Because we certainly didn't know that part."

At that, Alexander shakes his head in dismay. "Not unusual for Silas. He always only shares what is absolutely necessary, but yes, he is my older brother." He gestures at his table. "Please, take a seat."