The Vampire's Bride

Chapter 35

Jason woke up to an unpleasant chill across his neck. He let out a groan and lifted his head from the pillow. Blinking to clear the sleep from his eyes, he stared at the source of the cold. Why was the window open?

He leaned up to pull it shut, cursing silently. Hopefully the cold hadn't bothered Iris. Jason closed his eyes and rolled over, reaching to pull her to his chest. With a jolt of shock, he realized that his wife was gone; the sheets were freezing. Jason sat up once more, adrenaline pumping throughout his veins. Where was she?

The vampire swung his legs over the side of the bed and rushed to the door, dashing into the hall.

"Iris?!" Jason called, a hint of panic to his voice. When there was nothing but silence to answer him, he called out louder, "Iris!"

"Why are you yelling so early in the goddamn morning?" Evelyn asked. Jason turned, seeing her clad in a white robe and rubbing her eyes tiredly. "Some of us enjoy sleep."

"Iris is gone," Jason explained, feeling his heart pounding in his chest. He felt anxiety clawing at him.

"Did you check downstairs?" Evelyn asked. She placed a hand on her hip, brushing her other hand back through her hair. It was a gesture wasted on the short black locks.

Jason began to pace, raking a hand through his own hair.

"The window was open," he explained. The assassin raised her eyebrows, then furrowed them in concern. She moved down the hall like a shadow and stopped at Axel's door. Jason watched as Evelyn knocked. The two waited several, tense seconds for him to answer. Evelyn quickly grew impatient and slammed her hand against the door a few times.

"Axel!" She yelled. "Get up, we need you!"

Still, nothing happened.

Jason began to shift from one foot to the other. Evelyn opened the door impulsively, but let out a sigh.

"Axel's gone too."

"Shit," Jason hissed, raking his hand through his hair once again. Where were they? "Do you think Adelaide got them?"

"No, Adelaide would have made sure that we knew. She likes to toy with emotions," Evelyn pointed out. "Maybe they just went hunting."

"Morning," Luca yawned, stepping out. "What's the fuss?"

"Iris and Axel are missing," Jason explained shortly.

"Did they leave a note?" The prince suggested. Jason raised his eyebrows and rushed back into his bedroom, eyes furiously scanning again.

"Look, you're being smart for once," Evelyn muttered sarcastically.

"Hey," Luca said, his voice implying something Jason didn't need to know about. "Stop that."

Jason's eyes came to rest on the dresser, where a piece of stationary paper and quill rested. He rushed to it and lifted it. He felt his heart sinking into his stomach as his eyes flicked over the letter.

Jason,

I'm sorry, but I have to do this on my own. I can't let you four run into a war that has been mine alone from the beginning. This is my fight. Please don't come after me.

I love you so much.

Iris

Jason couldn't believe his eyes. How could she be so reckless?

"Well?" Evelyn asked. "What does it say?"

He wordlessly held it out to her, pressing a hand to his face. Iris was going to get herself killed, again.