"It's true, isn't it? You feel it, too?"
"Kyrian won't let me leave the house. He says it's too dangerous."
"Don't worry, I'm on the street and I'll call you as soon as I know something."
Tabitha clutched the phone in her hand as they neared the dark store.
Everything looked normal...
Valerius slowed down as he sensed death. There was an evil pall that hung over the store. He'd been a Dark-Hunter long enough to know even that much without any psychic abilities.
Tabitha tried the front door, which was locked.
"Tia!" she shouted, knocking on it. "You still here?"
No one answered.
She led him around back, into a small courtyard. The back door to the shop had been left ajar.
Valerius held his breath at the confirmation of his fears. Tabitha slowed down to a careful walk.
"Tia?" she called again.
Valerius pulled her away from the back door. "Stay behind me."
"She's my sister!"
"And I'm immortal. Stay behind me."
Luckily, she nodded.
Valerius opened the door carefully as he looked for anyone to move on them.
No one did.
The back room appeared completely normal. Nothing was out of place. It looked just as it had a few weeks ago when Tia had tended him here.
His hand on the dagger at his waist, he carefully approached the door to the shop, which was also slightly ajar. He pushed it open, then froze when he saw the pair of shoes sticking out from behind the counter.
His heart stopped.
"Stay here, Tabitha."
"But-"
"Dammit, Tabitha, stay!"
"I am not your bitch, General, and you don't talk to me that way!"
He knew it was her fear that made her so angry. She never knew how to cope with strong emotions. "Please, Tabitha. Stay here while I look."
She nodded.
Valerius pulled away and walked cautiously across the floor to where he saw the shoes. As he drew nearer, he saw the rest of the body.
Shit.
His chest tight and aching, he turned Tia over to see her glazed eyes staring out at nothing. Her neck was torn open as if a Daimon had attacked her, but her soul was still here. He could feel it.