From sunrise to sunset, we investigate the woods and its surroundings for any signs of vampire activity. After that, we meet up in several spots to report what we find. We have also setup a few traps in strategic areas, just in case a vampire decides to make an appearance.
It was late in the night and a tense silence fills the room when Inanna rises from her chair. Her voice is a gravelly whisper as she pulls her cloth blindfold that obscures her vision.
"Bryer knows we are here," she hisses.
"How did he find us?" Klevon asks.
She turns around and looks at Klevon, who has an expression that shows that he doesn't want to believe her.
"How?" Klevon repeats her question with a hushed voice. "Are you sure?"
She nods and grits her teeth before answering, "Yes, I am sure. Bryer finally felt us. He is getting more powerful."
"Shit." Klevon grunts. "The search will become harder then."
"Is there no other way to find this vampire?" I ask. It is getting cold, and truth be told, I want to climb into bed and sleep.
Gezer's eyes flash between Inanna and me before he responds, "We have a couple of options we can try."
"And they are?" I ask with anticipation.
"We can try to locate Bryer through his magic signature."
"How do we do that?" Klevon asks with curiosity as he looks at him with interest.
"We can use a magical device called a Magic Sensor." Gezer answers. "The only problem is that those items are scarce."
"Is it possible to track him if we find one of these sensors?" I ask.
"Not easily," Gezer replies. "But if we find one and trace him using us as a guide, it can lead us to his location."
"One of our libraries has one," Klevon says. "It is in one library I frequented when I was young."
"We need to go to this library first," Gezer suggests. "Then we can continue our search after we have it."
Inanna looks at us before she asks, "How long do you think it will take us?"
"If we leave early tomorrow morning, before sunrise, we will be there by late afternoon," Klevon answers. "It is a couple of hours away."
"I would rather be done with this task as soon as possible." Ninus remarks. "Bryer might leave the country if we waste too much time with this search."
"Yes." Klevon sighs. "You are right."
"You mention there are a couple of options to track Bryer. What other options are there?" I ask.
"With only the four of us, let's see… We can go to its feeding area. Assign a human to tempt a vampire. Then wait for him to appear."
"We only have Klevon," I say.
"Yes, but…"
"He is not tempting for vampires," Inanna completes. "His blood is impure."
"Oh, wow!" Klevon whistles. "I hope I am tempting for she-wolves though," he says and winks at me. Something that I answer by rolling my eyes.
"Well, it is settled then," Gezer interrupts. "Let us rest and be ready to leave before sunrise."
We are about to return to our room when Inanna holds my hand. I look at her as I ask, "Are you scared?"
"No," she says with a small smile on her face. "However, I'd like you to know that Bryer and I are familiar with each other's screams of pain."
"He's also being abused by the Blood God?"
"His torment differs from mine." She purses her lips, saying, "But know that the Blood God also deemed him special."
"Just like you."
"Yes, but in a different way. I just don't know what kind."
I reach for her hand and squeeze them. "If you are worried about me, don't worry. I will try to survive as much as possible if ever we face him."
"Kaiya!" Klevon calls. "Let's sleep, or I will close the door on you."
I look at Inanna and say, "I will have to go, then."
She smiles as she says, "Goodnight, Kaiya."
"Goodnight, Inanna." I smile back.

***************
The following morning, I drowsily open my eyes. The outside is still cloaked in darkness and it's freezing. Thankfully, Klevon is sleeping next to me and he's warm. Wait! I sit up and look at him. Why the hell is he sleeping in my bed?! He has his own bed! This gigantic man is even snoring!
I struggle to shove him off me when he suddenly rouses. His eyes gleam as he takes in my futile attempt to break free. To further frustrate me, he moves and pins me down underneath him.
"Good morning, Kaiya," he greets. His lips hover over my neck while I push at his shoulders.
"There's nothing good in the morning if you are already crowding me the moment I open my eyes."
"Articulate, aren't we?"
"No, I am just annoyed."
He chuckles and withdraws from the bed. I get up as he stretches his arms.
"You are saying all that, yet you slept in my arms all night. You were enjoying my warmth, and you were also moaning. What did you dream about?"
"I have no recollections of that," I say as I move towards the cabinet to prepare for the day.
"Where are we going to have our breakfast?" Klevon asks as he joins me by the cabinet.
"Breakfast will be bread. We got some yesterday."
"It's been cold lately. Or maybe I am just too used to the hot temperature of Pitchford."
"If that is the case, I am the same. I might be used at Pitchford's climate."
"Want to return to bed and warm each other up? We can go all naughty as much as you want."
I am about to respond to his taunts when someone knocks on the door. I open the door to find Inanna, Gezer, and Ninus outside. "We thought to check on you," Gezer starts and glances at the inside of our room. "I hope you did not exhaust yourselves last night?"
I frown at him. "Why exhaust ourselves? We are just supposed to sleep."
"To sleep? Or to sleep together?"
"Gezer, I told you. I am mated to Theo."
"It's only her mark that we remove," Inanna adds. "Their mate bond is still intact."
"Right," he mutters. "Should we get going then?"