by Raven Steele
“Angel? But how could he, unless…” My heart clenched tight.
“He had nothing to do with your being taken,” Luke said quickly.
“How do you know?”
He pried off the shackles, and I flinched in pain. Even though the bullet was gone and Angel’s saliva had begun to heal me, mind-numbing agony still wracked my body. Luke tossed the shackles aside and rubbed his fingers gently around my swollen wrists.
“Angel showed up at my apartment this morning. I woke up with him standing over me saying he could feel you were in trouble, but since daylight was approaching, he couldn’t make it to you in time.” Luke swallowed, glancing away. “His whole body was burned.”
I touched my mouth, sucking in a breath.
Luke continued. “He tried to get to you himself, but he couldn’t be outside any longer. He could barely stay awake. He’s the one who told us where to go. That you were somewhere in the Biloxi Woods, and that you felt claustrophobic, so you were probably trapped somewhere.”
His eyes were pained, and he brushed my hair behind my ear. “I’m sorry it took us so long. If Angel had been able to come here himself, he would’ve been able to find you quicker. But it took us most of the day to search the woods.” Luke stared into the woods, as if he just remembered something. “The whole pack is here. We should let them know we found you.”
“How did Angel know where I was?”
“Later,” he said, staring down at my injured wrists with fire in his eyes. “I’m taking you back to Fire Ridge to heal. Vincent parked close by.”
“He’s here?” I looked around, hoping to see him.
“Yeah, we split up a while ago.” He bent over and scooped me up, holding me to his chest, and I relaxed into him. I was so tired! But having Luke and Lynx with me, having friends care … I couldn’t describe how good that felt.
I thought of Angel and shivered, thinking about the pain he endured. I owed him big time, like usual.
“Isa—Briar!” My uncle called out, hurtling towards us through the trees. He was smiling big through watery eyes. I half-laughed, half-cried, so happy to see him.
He was almost to us, when Luke’s muscles tensed around me. My heart started pounding at his sudden fear.
Before I could say anything, an arrow burst out of my uncle’s chest. Blood misted my face. Luke dropped to the ground and rolled over me, trying to protect me. I groaned in pain. Lynx caught my uncle and they both fell beside us.
“Uncle!” I reached towards him and Luke sprang to his feet in a defensive stance. He stepped over Lynx and Vincent, scanning the forest for the attacker. “Shh, Briar.”
We froze, listening, but it was silent. Too silent. Hyde silent.
Luke grabbed his phone and held it to his ear. “Gerald. We’re at the north end of the woods. Someone just attacked Vincent.”
“On it.” The line went dead and Luke shoved his phone back in his pocket. We waited a moment longer to see if anyone would attack us again. When nothing happened, Luke took off in the direction of where the arrow came from. I scrambled to my knees, pulling my uncle into my lap. Blood bubbled past his lips.
“Vincent?” I said, my voice shaking.
He tried to talk but blood replaced the words. My gaze dropped to the arrow sticking out of his chest. It looked like it had a silver coating. My heart sunk into my stomach. I couldn’t lose him; not again. He wouldn’t survive this, unless … “Lynx, is there any more of Angel’s saliva?”
She shook her head, her eyes wide and full of fear. “That’s all we had!”
I glanced up at the afternoon sun. We couldn’t call Angel, not until night time. I swallowed and thought hard. First thing first. The arrow had to go. I met Vincent’s pain-filled eyes. “This is going to hurt.”
He looked like he wanted to answer, but he passed out instead.
I grabbed the tip of the arrow and snapped it off. It took a lot more effort than I expected. Gasping for air, I attempted to turn him over. Lynx jumped in to help.
From what I could tell, the arrow didn’t have any barbs on it that might rip his insides to shreds. Using both hands, I wrapped my fingers around the arrow and yanked it out. Blood poured from the wound.
Luke appeared just then, sweat dotting his brow. He tore off his shirt and dropped next to me. He pressed the material to the wound, then rolled my uncle onto his back. Luke used his hand to press onto the exit wound.
“I can try to seal it with magic,” Lynx said, her chin quivering. “It won’t heal him, but it should keep him intact long enough for us to move him.”
I nodded my head. “Please.”
“Okay, I’m going to need some space though.”
Luke moved back and slid me closer to him, pulling me in between his legs. I bit my lips, trying to keep the tears from falling. Lynx took my place and placed her hands over the wound. She closed her eyes and began to chant words in an ancient language. Luke wrapped his arm around my waist, gripping me like he would never let me go. I leaned back into him, inhaling a hitched breath.
“Did you see who did it?” I asked him.
His body flexed, and he stared into the forest. “No. Whoever it was, they were fast and had no scent. I bet it was a Hyde.”
“Why would they want to hurt my uncle?”
He hesitated before speaking. “I think they were aiming for you.”
I sat up, alert. “What if there are more of them? We need to go.”
“I did a quick sweep before I came back here. I think we’re alone.”
“But you can’t be sure.”
He shook his head. “We’ll move as soon as we are able.”
A moment later, Lynx opened her eyes. “This side is done. Turn him over.”
I stared at the wound, unable to see what she saw. There was too much blood coating his skin to see if she had closed the wound or not, but I trusted her.
We carefully rotated him, and Lynx began the process again. She was faster this time.
“Done! Let’s get out of here.” She jumped to her feet, swaying slightly as if using magic had taken its toll on her body.
Luke looked at my uncle and back at me. “I can’t carry you both.”
“I can walk,” I said and proved it by making myself stand.
Lynx hurried to my side. I looped my arm around her shoulders and leaned into her. Together, we followed Luke, who held my uncle in his arms, out of the forest.
I kept my eyes trained on Vincent, fearing this might be the last time I saw him alive.
Chapter 26
Night had fallen. Where it should’ve been cool, it was hot, the air full of moisture that made the back of my shirt stick to my skin.
I should be laying down. That’s what they all said, but I couldn’t leave my uncle’s side. He lay in the bed in front of me, struggling for every breath.
The door opened and closed. I didn’t turn to see who it was; I could tell by the smell of musk and pine that it was Luke.
He rested his hand on my shoulder and said in a quiet voice, “Let me sit with him. You go rest.”
I shook my head.
“Please, Briar. You’re pale and your hands are shaking.”
I glanced down. My hands were trembling. “I can’t leave. It’s my fault he’s here.”
“Don’t say that.”
I glared at him. “He warned me that my life was in danger, but like a freaking idiot, I didn’t listen.”
“You didn’t know what you were up against. None of us did. Whoever these fuckers are, they are extremely powerful and well-funded.”
“I’ve been thinking about that. What if it’s Bodian Dynamics who wants me?”
“I’ve considered it too, but they claim to already have your blood. It could be they need something else from you, though.” His voice lowered. “The Abydos?”
I rubbed at my eyes. “Probably.”
“Do you think Bodian has anything to do with the smoke thing Dominic met with? I think whoever or whatever it was is
our real enemy, the one pulling all the strings.”
I hadn’t considered that. I stretched my shaking hand on placed it over my uncle’s.
“He’s going to get better.” Luke reassured.
“You can’t know that.”
He paused, then said, “Angel’s here. I had to sneak him in.”
I sat up, instantly getting dizzy.
Luke steadied me. “You stay still. I’ll go get him.”
My shoulders dropped, and I nearly cried in relief. I had texted Angel the second we reached Fire Ridge and begged him to come as soon as he could. I glanced toward the window. The thin slit between the drapes had gone black.
A moment later, the door opened again. I tried to get up to meet Angel, but weakness swamped me again, making my muscles tremble.
“Don’t.” He came to my side and pulled up a chair. My eyes roamed over his body, checking for burns, but his skin was as smooth as ever. As if nothing had ever happened. I closed my eyes, almost wishing I could see it, the pain he’d put himself through to get to me.
I didn’t understand what I’d done to inspire such devotion.
When I opened my eyes, he was watching me intently.
“Angel, I don’t know what to say except, thank you.” I frowned. “Again.”
Shit, I was in so much with him. I owed him a zillion favors. And I was about to ask him for one more. I would beg him to save my uncle if I had to. “I know you have already helped me so many times, and I have no right asking you to expose your secret again but, please, Angel, please heal my uncle.”
He searched my eyes, remaining silent. When he finally spoke, he said something I didn’t expect. “Have you ever wondered why I’m so drawn to you?”
I furrowed my brow in frustration. “Can we discuss this another time?”
“No. Your uncle will live.”
I sighed, running my hand through my hair. I was so tired. “Fine. You’re drawn to me because my blood tastes good or something.”
He snorted. “I’m not that shallow.”
“I don’t know. Maybe you have a thing for Komira blood.” He stiffened and I stared at him, surprised. “Is that what is it?” I hated the way my voice cracked, the way it betrayed how vulnerable I felt.
He sighed and took my hand. “It is, but not the way you think.” He bit his lip, something I’d never seen him do before, and stared at the wall for a while. When he looked back at me, his eyes betrayed his pain.
“Centuries ago, in another time and place, I loved someone deeply.”
My heart skipped a beat.
“She was very powerful. And also very reckless.” He paused and his eyes met mine. “Much like you. You two have much in common.”
“She was a Komira.” It wasn’t a question. It was the only explanation for his immediate dedication. I reminded him of her. It also explained how he knew I was a Komira from just the taste of my blood.
He nodded.
“What happened to her?”
“She ran head first into storms until she met one that ran right through her. There was nothing I could do to save her.”
I blinked at this revelation, wondering if I should ask him more about her. His voice was rough and the edges of his eyes tightened. The pain was still so raw for him. He reached over me, brushing my thigh with his arm, and tore off the bandage over my uncle’s chest. “At least that’s what I believed at the time. I’ve learned more since then.”
He licked his finger, then proceeded to rub the salvia onto my uncle’s wound several times. My uncle gasped in a breath and began to shake. I leaned over, trying to hold him still. Angel’s hand gripped my arm.
“He will be fine. It’s the antibody properties in my saliva killing the silver.”
I nodded, clinging to my uncle, who was still unconscious. After a while, his body calmed and color slowly returned to his skin. I slumped back into my chair, relieved.
“I need to know something, Angel.” I looked up at him and he inhaled, as if bracing for my question. “How did you know how to find me? Luke wouldn’t tell me.”
“I have a confession, and I know telling you may mean you never speak to me again, or maybe you’ll just punch me like your friend Luke—”
“What?”
“I didn’t just give you Scorpion’s Breath. In the beginning.” He paused, waiting for me to interrupt him, but I didn’t dare. “I gave you my blood, Briar. It was a special batch, prepared just for you.”
I reared back. “Your blood? Why?”
“So we would be connected. It’s how I found you.”
I stood up, feeling my legs tremble, and began to pace. The motion took great effort.
“There are many things I know, Briar. I have gifts other vampires don’t have. Just as my gift allowed me to know of your Komira power once I tasted it, I also know other things.”
I swiveled towards him. “Like what?”
His mouth formed a straight line. “I cannot tell you everything.”
“Why?” My hands clenched at my side to keep me from punching his face.
“I have learned from experience that to reveal things too early changes things. I won’t sabotage the future. You will have to trust me, Briar.”
I didn’t answer, but began pacing again, biting my nails.
“You have been given a gift. One that is as precious as the Being who gave it to you. You can do great things with it, but that doesn’t mean you’re invincible. I gave you my blood so I could do all in my power to protect you.” His gaze lowered to the floor. “I am not perfect, Briar. I have many faults, but I try my best.”
He looked back into my face, his gaze fierce. “And I will do anything to keep you safe. I will not lose you like I lost the woman I once loved.”
“Except I didn’t ask to be bonded to you, or for your protection.” Anger rolled through me. “Why didn’t you ask first?”
“Would you have allowed it, if I had requested it?”
“Of course not.”
He didn’t respond, but he stared at me so intensely that I turned away. Finally he spoke.
“I thought you were going to die, Briar, and the only thing I could do was request Luke’s assistance. Vampires have incredible strength and powers, but we are also extremely limited by the day. And I have not felt as helpless as I did last night. Not in many years.” His eyes met mine. “I don’t regret what I did.”
I reached the end of the room and swiveled around to give him my fiercest look. “You can’t do that, ever again. Not without my permission.”
“I swear it.” The look he gave me was so earnest, a little bit of my anger began to diffuse.
“Fine.” Too tired to stand anymore, I collapsed back into the chair. I was still mad, but at the same time, if it hadn’t been for Angel, I’d still be stuck in that dark hole, probably dead.
“You’re still hurting. I can feel your pain.” He leaned toward me slowly and carefully brushed the hair away from my neck. “I apologize for the betrayal. I swear I only did it to protect you.”
I nodded, unable to hold on to my anger any more. And he was right. I was often impulsive and sometimes that got me into trouble. I brought his hand to my chest. “The vow you made, the one to protect me as a Komira, is it the only reason you’re here? Right now.”
My pulse raced as I waited for his answer. I’m not sure what I wanted him to say. It wouldn’t change things.
His green eyes, as rich and ancient as a treasured emerald, dug into mine, and for a brief moment, I felt he was trying to communicate something in that weighted gaze.
“I’m where I want to be,” is all he said.
“Well, thank you for saving me.” I kissed the palm of his hand, pretending my lips weren’t tingling when I pulled away.
He whispered something so low I had to lean forward to hear. “You are weak and surrounded by enemies. Let me make you strong again.”
He pulled his hand from mine, bit the soft flesh between his thumb and forefinger, and he
ld it to my mouth. His blood dripped slowly to the floor, and his gaze penetrated mine.
Would I take his blood willingly, making our bond even stronger?
The significance of the moment was not lost on me. It felt like I was at the edge of a cliff, with the wind so strong it threatened to topple me over. I grabbed his hand and held it to my mouth, smelling the coppery aroma, while maintaining eye contact.
“Did Luke really punch you? While you were hurt?”
“Yes.”
I opened my lips and snaked my tongue out to taste his blood. It was bitter, but not entirely unpleasant. Taking a deep breath, I latched my mouth onto his hand. The warm crimson liquid coated my tongue, and I swallowed. In the blood’s wake, a state of euphoria flowed through my body, making me feel light and almost intoxicated.
I swallowed again, and a roaring sound filled my ears. Then I was falling, falling, tumbling into a deep, dark abyss. Something foreign and fearful took over my mind, another consciousness, and I could barely make sense of the images and feelings flooding through me.
Desperation poured through my veins, lighting them on fire. I must save her. The sun scorched my skin, burning through to my bones. Smoke surrounded me and the smell of burning flesh infiltrated my nose. I crawled forward, grit and broken glass under my bare palms. It’s the only way.
The powerful images and emotions lasted only a few seconds, but they were strong enough that I gasped for air and collapsed to the back of my seat. I blinked to see Angel standing over me, heaving in deep breaths. His eyes were wide, and I could feel fear pulsing from him.
“I’m… I… What was that?” I coughed, expelling the smothering feeling in my chest.
He stepped back, confusion and pain on his face. “That was personal. You shouldn’t have been able to see that.” He glanced towards Vincent, who was mumbling in his sleep now. “I must leave. Your uncle will wake soon.”
One second he was there, the next, he was gone, the door swinging behind him.
I stared after at him, blinking. What the hell just happened?
I remained that way for a few minutes, sitting by my uncle’s bedside, feeling my body recover by the second. Getting stronger. More powerful. And yet, my emotions fluttered all over the place, completely overwhelming me. My hands rested in my lap, shaking again. Not from weakness or exhaustion, but from what I’d seen and felt in Angel’s blood.
