It was the next morning when I woke up in my bed with Kendal's army wrapped tightly around me. I got up careful not to wake him. I turned to look at his sleeping form, a smile softly formed on my face as he began to mindlessly search for me before finding my pillow and hugging it close to him. I held in a chuckle as I grabbed some clean clothes and walked into my bathroom to shower and to get ready for work.
I really don't understand this mate thing, but should I really feel this comfortable with someone who has killed so many? Maybe there's a logical reason for him killing all those people? I can't imagine a King like him who has how many vampires to look after going around killing humans without a valid reason.
Once I was ready I walked out of my bathroom to see Ken up and dressed.
"I know how uncomfortable it currently is for you to drink blood. Since you are still a newborn you need at least four pints a day for the next couple of days. So, I arranged some 'juice' boxes to be placed in your fridge. Make sure you drink at least four a day. Each box is a single pint of blood. Once your body is fully caught up you'll only need about four pints every week."
I nodded.
"What about you?"
"As King and as an Original, I only need a couple of pints every five to six days or so."
I nodded as I walked to my fridge and grabbed the large red cooler that was placed in there. I opened it to see a week's supply. Inside the larger cooler was a smaller cooler with four boxes already inside along with a sandwich and a couple of snacks for the day. I looked at Ken confused.
"Vampires can eat human food, but it has no nutritional value. So, it's like eating flavored air."
Ken responded as if reading my mind.
"So, then why do I need all the extra stuff?"
"Vampires still need to blend in. Not only does human food slightly help with hunger, having just juice boxes doesn't seem normal."
I nodded. Once ready Ken rode with me to work. We were about five blocks away when my phone began to ring, it was Joe.
"What's up Joe?"
"Hey, we got a case for you and Kendal."
"Ok, what's up?"
"Missing person."
"Who's the victim?"
"A 16-year-old girl, hasn't been seen in over 13 hours."
"Understood. Send me the address of the girl's parents."
"Do you need me to tell Kendal?"
"No need, Ken's with me now."
"Wait, he is?"
"Yep, got-to-go, on the clock!"
"Wait!"
"Bye!"
I said as I quickly hung up. As soon as Joe sent me the address I had Ken put it into the car's GPS.
15 minutes later, we finally arrived at the address. We got out and knocked on the door. A few moments later a tired and worried-looking woman with brown hair and brown eyes opened the door.
"Hello, I'm Detective Adelaide Clayden with consultant Kendal Denbow, we're here about a missing girl."
I said as I showed her my badge.
"Oh yes, please come in."
She said a bit rushed as she stepped aside, letting us in. She then led up into the living room where her husband sat with his elbows on his knees, his head in his hands, and his left leg shaking in nervousness. Once he heard us walk in his head shot up as he stood up.
"I'm Detective Adelaide Clayden, and this is my partner and consultant Mr. Kendal Denbow."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Dan Adams and this is my wife Sam Adams."
Mr. Adams said as he shook our hands.
"Are you here about my little girl?"
He asked, clearly worried about his missing daughter.
"We are. Can we sit? We have a couple of questions for you."
I said as I pulled out a pin and notepad.
"Of course."
Mrs. Adams said, directing to the couch across from the two chairs.
"Ok, Mr. and Mrs. Adams, please answer these to the best of your ability. Some of these questions may be difficult, but just remember that we're only trying to understand and get into the mindset of your daughter; even the smallest detail could be helpful."
They both nodded as they held each other's hand as they got as close to each other as possible while sitting on separate chairs.
"What's your daughter's full name?"
"Lacy Ann Adams."
"Date of birth?"
"April 9th, 2005."
"Height, weight, and age?"
"5'6, 125lbs, and she's 16-years-old."
Damn, even a 16-year-old is taller than me.
"Hair color and length?"
"Brown, shoulder-length."
"Eye color"
"Blue."
"Any distinguishing marks, tattoos, scars, birthmarks, etcetera?"
"She has a large birthmark under her haw and a scar over her right eyebrow."
"What about the most recent photo of Lacy, do you have one?"
"Yes, this was taken last year."
Mrs. Adams said as she handed me the picture.
After about two hours of questions we finally got everything we needed, including who and when talked to her when, when and where she was last seen, what her schedule is like, if she has a history of running away, anything and everything, we went down the list of questions to ask when dealing with a missing person.
"Thank you for your patience and corporation."
I said as me and Ken stood, the Adams standing with us.
"No, thank you."
Mr. Adams said.
"Please, please find our little girl."
Mrs. Adams said as tears began to well up in her eyes.
"Trust me, we'll do everything in our power to find her. I'll call you as soon as we find anything. Be aware that another officer maybe by later to investigate her room for any additional clues."
They nodded as they led us to the front door.
"Thank you so much, Detective Clayden and Mr. Denbow."
Mr. Adams said, sounding a bit more reassured that his daughter's case was in good hands.
"Of course, it's our pleasure to do anything and everything we can to keep families whole and to make them whole again."
I said as we left. Once in the car, I let out a heavy sigh. I glanced to Kendal to see him smirking at me.
"What?"
I asked, raising my eyebrow up at him.
"You know, you're sexy when you're trying to solve a case."
My face turned red as I quickly looked away, started the car, pulled out the driveway, and headed back to the station, causing Ken to chuckle at me and my actions.
When we got back to the station I noticed Juli and Joe watching us as me and Ken walked into the building and into my office to get started on the missing person case. They're up to something, and I'm going to find out what.
(Josiah's P.O.V)
Juli and I were in the main lobby when we saw Ken and Addi walk in and into her office together. I turned to Juli.
"Do you think they have a thing?"
Juli asked as she watched Addi close the door and a couple curtains.
"First they were together this morning, now they walk in and into her office, not just together, but nearly touching each other. There has to be something going on."
I said looking back to her office. Juli nodded.
"Do we call her sisters or Minnie?"
Juli asked.
"Not Minnie, she's still not back from visiting her family."
"Her sisters then?"
"Well, it is Friday. Sona has no classes this weekend and should we really bother Mayor Kelsey?"
"Addi is Kelsey's little sister,"
"Yeah, and if she has a possible love interest Kel will drop everything to find out."
Juli chuckled.
"I'll call Kelsey and Sona."
I chuckled as I watched her turn and walk to her office.
"Addi is going to kill you when she finds out!"
I called to her.
"If!"
She yelled, not looking back.
"When!"
If Juli doesn't think that Addi will find out then she's sorely mistaken.
(Addi's P.O.V)
Once in my office, I pulled out one of the "juice" boxes and started to drink it. Ken seemed pleased by my action as I started on paperwork and the game plan to find this missing girl.
About 30 minutes later my phone began to ring. I looked at the caller ID to see it was my older sister Kelsey. I smiled at the name as Ken gave me a confused look.
"Hey, long time no talk."
I said as I answered my phone.
"Yeah, sorry about that, things have been hectic lately."
I smirked.
"Preparing for your reelection already?"
"You know it, I got to get a head start on my competition and show my town that I'm dedicated. But anyway, I was finally able to get a break. Want to go to lunch tomorrow afternoon?"
"What about Sona?"
"Already called her, she's in."
I chuckled as I shook my head.
"I guess if she's in then I have no choice."
"Oh, you didn't have a choice to begin with."
"Then why ask?!"
"Well, I had to give you the illusion that like everything you have a choice."
"Wow, feeling the love there, sis."
I said shaking my head.
"Anyway, where and when?"
"Tomorrow, 1:30 pm, and at Chilis, already made the reservation."
"Of course, our childhood favorite."
"Well duh, did you expect anything else?"
"Of course I didn't. Will Mom and Dad be joining us?"
"Not this time. This time it's a sister's day."
I smiled.
"Ok, well I'll see you two tomorrow then."
"1:30, and don't you dare be late!"
"Don't worry, I won't be. Love you."
"Love you too, see ya."
"Bye."
I hung up and put my phone down and turned to Ken who looked like he wanted to say something.
"What's wrong?"
I asked.
"I don't want you to go alone tomorrow."
"I won't be alone, I'll be with my sisters."
"Your sisters are human, and I won't be able to be there to protect you if something happens."
"Where are you going? And why would I need protecting?"
"I have a few things that I need to take care of in the U.S. Vampiric Capital, and as a King and like any other ruler or person in power I have powerful enemies. You're untrained when it comes to fighting vampires, you're also still a newborn, your powers and abilities aren't developed yet. You wouldn't stand a chance."
"Then if you can't go, who will?"
"I'm assigning you three personal guards who you'll meet tomorrow."
I simply nodded. I don't know why I feel the need to argue with him, rather argue about him leaving me or that he's assigning me, bodyguards, I didn't know. What I did know was that it wasn't worth an argument and I have too much work to do to waste my energy on something so trivial. I have a missing girl to worry about, she comes first.