Chapter 36
Hot Boy Needs Healing
AURORA
Talon will be all right. He has to be.
“Mal got away,” I say. Back at Poison Apple, my heart flutters like a hummingbird that is unable to land. I can’t sit. I can barely breathe.
Talon is laid on a cot in Rap’s office since getting him upstairs would be too tricky, even with all of us trying to move him.
With some cleverly used towels I arranged as a buffer, I got Talon’s arm over my shoulders and helped him stagger out to the entrance of the crypt. Not without leaving with some angry red burn marks from when I buckled under his weight.
But when I emerged into broad daylight, I found myself met with Rap and the crew who jumped into action, helping me get Talon in the van they came in. They also gave me hell for running off on my own. I didn’t argue with them. Hell, I could barely hear them through my terror for Talon.
We couldn’t take him to a hospital. They can’t treat a Dragon with skin that burns, but Rap said someone who can help is on the way.
“What is Mal planning?” Ariel asks, her fingers nervously playing with the lens on her camera. Sunlight blasts through themassive skylights, feeding the live tree at the center of Poison Apple.
“She’s planning on being a bitch, that’s what,” Snow snarls as she storms back and forth.
“Not helpful,” Rap says dryly from where she leans against the bar.
“She wants revenge,” I say as I hug my body.
Everything Mal said runs through my head on a loop.
We could build something new.
You could have your life back.
I could take the gift back.
Never did I imagine I’d get to face my tormentor, and now that it’s happened it’s almost more than I can process. I rejected her offer, but I can’t dismiss the possibility that I could somehow get free of this hunger.
“We’re here,” Cinder announces as she sweeps through the front door, letting rays of sunshine in. A vampire walking openly under the sun? Then I remember Snow and Ariel debating something about it being connected to her blood magic.
Behind Cinder comes the fast-strutting Fairy Godmother, Dame Kiki Eleganza.
“Where’s the hot boy?” Kiki asks without preamble.
Rap directs her to follow, and I’m close on their heels.
Kiki pauses, turning to me. “You want to help him, honey? I need some room to work, and he’s gonna need a whole lotta calories when I’m done with him. Order some food for everyone while you’re at it. It’s on Rap.”
“Hey,” Rap protests.
Kiki shrugs. “Don’t be a stingy scrooge of a boss.”
“I’ve got it,” another voice comes from behind me. I turn to find myself face to face with King Kaison Charming. Mal’s brother.
“You,” I sputter in anger.
Kiki and Rap leave us to go help Talon.
“You thought this was my fault? Well, it’s not. It’s your stupid sister’s fault. She ruined my life. Did you know that?” The words tumble out of me faster and faster. “Did you know that she’s turning people into vampires and thralling them? That she used her magic to curse me as a baby? For something I had nothing to do with? I didn’t ruin your family, but your sister ruined my life. She tried to suck Talon dry and now she has absorbed some of his Dragon abilities. She is still set on destroying my family for what happened. She has to be stopped.” I gasp for air after I finish my tirade.
“You’re right,” Kai says quietly.
