Chapter 4: Research

I woke up the next morning around 6 a.m. I scrambled quickly out of my bed and practically ran to the bathroom. I looked myself over in the mirror, my eyes are puffy and still fairly red, my nose is red and so are my cheeks.

"Boy, you couldn't tell that I cried myself to sleep huh?" I said out loud. I quickly went through my morning routine, even put on some foundation, eyeliner, eyeshadow and mascara. I went with neutral colors today. I found myself a black, knee length pencil skirt to wear with a maroon colored, v-neck, sleeveless top that really complimented my bust without showing too much of it. I slipped on my black flats, grabbed my purse, my phone, my keys and a pack of cigarettes and out the door I was. On my way down the stairs, I seen Adrian and Rose walking up the stairs, seeming to be just coming home.

"Oh hey Jess," Adrian began but I just walked right past them, not saying a word.

I tried to hurry myself to my 1998, black Dodge Durango, a.k.a Big Papa, but there Adrian was, jogging to catch up to me.

"Hey Jess, wait up!" He hollered as I unlocked Big Papa.

"What?" I yelled back as I sat down in the driver's seat.

He ran up to my still open door.

"Jess, what the hell?"

I crinkled my nose at him, I could smell the whiskey on him.

"What?"

"Why the hell did you cold shoulder me in there?"

"Because I have shit that I have to do that doesn't involve talking to a drunken Adrian and probably drunken Rose," I spat out.

He gave me a hurt look, and I just shook my head at him.

"What is your problem Jessica?"

At that, I slammed my door shut and started up my engine.

"Right now? Oh geez, it could be that my older brother was turned against his will? Oh and then it could also be because my best friend didn't give a fuck, as long as he could stick his dick into something!"

At that, Adrian just stormed off, and I sped out of the driveway.

I'm heading to my office, the Phoenix Sector. This is where Damphire, Moroi and Alchemist all work together to research magic, Strigo and other things of our supernatural world. I got to the building, that just looks like a very large library, it has old, white marble pillars in the entry, white marble walking paths around the building which was made of stucko that was shaped into like a brick painted over beige with white lines to accentuate the look of brick, with a tan roof. No windows at all either. Gotta love the Moroi for that one. I parked and went up to the front door, presenting my employee ID to gain entry. Once in there, you see 5 doors, all saying Employee Only, and then a girl sitting at the service desk. She smiled at me warmly, flashing her teeth. She's a red haired Moroi. I said my greetings as I went into the actual library of the facility, which happens to be door 2.

I spent about 4 hours in all searching through every single book, only to find nothing. I sighed a I put the last book back on the shelf. I noticed someone entering, and to my luck, that someone just so happened to be Zeke, one of my close friends that work with me. Zeke is only 20, but he's super cute. He has shaggy black hair and hazel eyes. He stands at about 6 feet tall, and man he's got some muscle to him. His biceps are about as big around as my head. Gotta love the build of us Damphires. His face, oh god his face. He has supermodel cheek bones, and kinda thick eyebrows, but theyre sexy as hell. His jaw line is pretty damn well defined, and oh man, when he's shirtless, the V! He has the V! Give me a minute while I waterfall here, but seriously, he's pretty hot, and, he's a super great guy! I really should fall in love with him, but oh that would be to simple for me. No I have to love an asshole the doesn't feel the same way.

"Hey sexy lady, I heard you were in here," Zeke said as he slung his arm over my shoulders.

Oh, did I mention his French accent? Oh god the accent!

"Hey there firecracker," I replied wrapping my arm around him in a hug.

"So to what do I owe this great honor my lady?"

"Um, I don't really want to talk about it here, are you off soon?"

"In about ten minutes yeah, wanna hang?"

"I do, I really need to talk to you actually."

"Sweet, well, do you mind waiting for me?"

"Of course not darling, I'll be here."

He smiled and nodded as he speed walked out of there.

I waited around for what seemed like years for Zeke to come back. The thing about Zeke is, he knows a lot of people, and those people, they know a lot of information. And I currently need said information. Eventually Zeke came strutting in like a peacock trying to find a mate, sporting a huge grin. He's wearing a black collared shirt and kakis with black sneakers.

"Hey beautiful, ready to go?" He asked.

"I was born ready Zekey boy," I replied as I stood up. "Do you still not have a vehicle by the way?"

He gave me an awkward chuckle. "Of course not."

I laughed as we made our way out to Big Papa.

"Can I drive?" He asked me.

I replied with a maniacal laugh as I got into the driver's seat.

"Well, that's an answer I guess..."

"Sorry firecracker but you know how I am with Big Papa," I replied as he got into the passenger seat.

"I know i know", he chuckled. ,

I explained the entire situation to Zeke, maybe leaving out the part that I'm way interested in Adrian on the car ride back to my apartment complex. As I pulled into the parking lot, Adrian was pulling in a few lanes down from me. I sighed loudly as I shut Big Papa off. Zeke and I got out as Adrian tumbled out of his car, falling onto the parking lot. I handed Zeke my keys and purse and told him to go to my apartment and I ran over to Adrian. Before I even got to his car, the smell of strong alcohol and cigarette smoke filled my nostrils. I shook my head as I got to him, who was cussing as he tried to pull himself up by the steering wheel. I reached my hand out to help pull him up, he just tossed his other hand out and I pulled him up to a shaky stand.

He tried to mumble out a thank you I believe but it was pretty slurry, and it's been a while since he's been this drunk honestly. I asked for his keys and his just handed them over, still not looking to see who I even am yet. I shook my head and wrapped his arm over my shoulders and maneuvered us far enough away from the car to close the door and I locked it. We made our way out of the parking lot slowly with him mumbling some nonsense that I couldn't understand. Once we made it into the building, I decided it'd be best to take the elevator, and once we got in there I pressed the button for the sixth floor. While we are going up the floors, I heard him mumble my name, and my entire body froze, my heart pounding loudly in my chest. He began to chuckle and I bit the inside of my bottom lip until I tasted blood. The elevator doors opened and we were on the sixth floor. We made our way to his apartment door and I unlocked it and brought Adrian to his large black leather couch and I let him flop onto it. I went to close and lock his door, then I hung up his keys. I went to go stand by him, and he pulled me down on the couch so he could lay his head in my lap. He rolled to where he is facing me and opened his eyes, which appeared to be bloodshot to hell and back.

"Adrian what the hell have you done to yourself?"

"I'm not the best judge of character sometimes Jess.. Sometimes, I'm wrong Jess, sometimes I misjudge things." He began.

"Adrian this doesn't make sense, you're drunk, you shouldn't sound like this.. the spirit shouldn't be affecting you.."

"You know, it's been about 3 hours since I've had a drink Jess? It's also been three days since I've had any sleep. Once the spirit grips your soul, it can come out and play at any time my love," he slurred out.

"Oh Adrian," I whispered with an ache in my heart.

"Jess, for so long I looked and looked, never finding anything like it... still nothing can compare to it," Adrian said as he pet my face.

"What are you talking about?"

"Look at you," he said ignoring my question. "So beautiful you are Jess. Such a loving person. Always by my side."

"Adrian please.."

I helped him sit up so I could hug him. He wrapped his arms around me and burried his face into my hair.

"Oh Jess, I'll be fine. I should probably let you go.."

I pulled away and gave him a surprised look.

"But, Adrian?"

"No no it's fine Jess. Go go," he said waving me off.

I grew a bit pissed at him and stomped off. I ran all the way to my apartment on the floor below and went right inside.

Zeke was sitting on my couch, with the song Tear You Apart by She Wants Revenge. I went and sat next to him, throwing my legs up on his lap. I was still fuming at Adrian at this point. He was probably talking about Rose, I thought bitterly. That's why he wanted me to leave! Zeke began rubbing his hand up my leg, and past my knee and back down, which was turning my anger into slight arousal.

"Jess, you need to relax, okay?"

"Zeke, none of that, not right now.." I sighed. "We need to go find some information."

He sighed and gave my thigh a light squeeze.

"Alright I'll make some phone calls, so you mind letting me up?"

I squealed and hugged him before letting him up.

It took him around an hour before he got any worthwhile information.

"Well, we would have to road trip a bit to get a hold of this person. He's in Tucson," Zeke replied.

"Alright when can we go?"

"They said we should try tomorrow around noon."

"Are you off?"

"I am now," he read he dialed his phone.

Man that's one of the great things about Zeke, no matter what, if a friend needs help, he's there, no matter what.