Free Bloody Valentine by Melissa de La Cruz

to claim her as its own. Bliss had come out on the other side, looking better than ever; and for that Schuyler was thankful.
    She hugged her friend tightly. “You’re here.”
    “Of course. Once Jack said you guys were getting bonded, how could I not be here for you?” Bliss smiled. “I know this was supposed to be a surprise, Jack, but I’m sorry, I couldn’t wait. I have awful news.”
    “What’s wrong? What’s happened?” Schuyler asked, but she had an inkling that she already knew.
    Bliss crossed her arms. “I saw Oliver at customs, and we were supposed to meet up at baggage claim to catch a cab to the hotel together. I waited for him and he never showed. I looked around and I felt like I was being watched. Venators, by the looks of them. They were everywhere. I managed to slip away, but I think they got Oliver.” Bliss explained that she and Jane Murray had been in Chicago when Jack had called. Since she was supposed to be gone for only a few days, she had left the Watcher to stay on the trail of the Hellhound they had been tracking. “Do you know why they would take him?”
    “It’s the European Coven. They’re after us,” Schuyler explained. “The Countess wants us dead. She’s still loyal to her brother—Lucifer.”
    Bliss nodded to indicate she understood. They were never too far from the threat of the Morningstar—she knew better than most.
    “Schuyler, can you find Oliver in the glom? We need to see where he’s being held, and you carry his blood. You should be able to find him faster than I,” Jack said.
    Schuyler closed her eyes. She knew Jack was right, but she had a feeling they were walking into a trap. The Venators wanted them to find Oliver. They were being jerked around like puppets, but she had no other options. She couldn’t tell Jack what had happened earlier, about the danger that came from the ring he wore on his finger. She could only trust that he remembered the meaning behind her signal, and that somehow, they would be able to outsmart the Venators. They had done it before.
    She reached out into the spirit world, searching for her friend and former familiar. Ollie…where are you? Can you hear me? No harm could come to him, not to Oliver, not to Bliss, not to her dear friends who had come to Italy for the purpose of celebrating her bonding. Whatever happened, Schuyler promised she would keep them safe.
    Oliver?
    I’m here.
    Are you all right?
    For the moment. Where are you?
    Coming to get you.
    Schuyler opened her eyes. “They’re holding him in the Villa Malavolta, the old Villa Feri. In the tower room.”
    “I will go,” Jack said, putting on his jacket.
    Schuyler shook her head. “Not alone. We’ll come, too.”
    “You’ll need us,” Bliss agreed. “Even if I’m just human now.” She waved off their confusion. “I’ll explain later. It’s a long story.”
    Jack turned to Schuyler and shook his head. “I cannot risk it.” I cannot risk you.
    “Jack,” Schuyler said softly. She took his hand, and glanced again at the traitorous ring he wore on his finger. “I am already in danger, my love, and you cannot protect me always. I can protect myself.”
    And I need to be there to protect you, she thought, but could not say or send, lest the Venators hear.

F OUR

Lord of the Underworld

    J ack knew he could not argue Schuyler out of joining the rescue party. He was glad she had Bliss with her—it would help to have a friend fighting by her side. Not that anything was going to happen, of course; he was going to make sure of it.
    He pointed to the ceiling. “They’re right above us.”
    The three of them had raced through the city’s ancient underground tunnels toward the intersection of Via del Podestà and Via Bernardo Martellini. The Florentine maze was identical to the one in Lutetia, and Jack had maneuvered through the twists and turns with ease. The building had been owned since the early fifteenth century by the same Blue Blood family that had close