“Are you still going to fight Roberto?”
“Yes,” he said slowly. “I am.”
“Then no. It won’t do any good.” She dipped her fingertips in the blood, then drew a swift circle over her heart, above the neckline of her dress. Antoine unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it back, and she painted a red circle on his chest.
That was the easy bit.
Bracing herself, Cally took his wrist in her hands and lowered her mouth. This wasn’t the time for half measures and she swallowed fast, trying to get as much of his blood inside her as she could before the metallic taste and hot rush of it made her gag.
“Easy,ma chérie.Remember what happened last time.”
It was at the forefront of her mind, but if he was going to fight Roberto, he needed all the power he could get. This wasn’t a case of sip-and-see; she’d be damned if the spell worked but she couldn’t give him all he needed.
“That’s enough,” Antoine said, but she clung on and managed another swallow before he pulled his wrist away. He stared at her with worry as he rebuttoned his cuff. “Are you all right?”
Cally turned away, wiping at her face. The blood on her lips smeared across her cheeks, but she had nothing with which to clean herself. Her stomach churned, but that was more her nausea at the metallic, salty taste in her mouth than the beginnings of the pain yet to come. “I’m fine. They’re waiting for you, and we’ve been up here long enough as it is.”
“I don’t wish to leave you,” he said quietly.
“I know. I’ll be right behind you as soon as—” She winced as her stomach spasmed. “Go. Go now. Please.”
“Are you certain?”
It was strange how his concern only now outweighed his immediate desire for vengeance. But it was too late; he’d made his decision, and she understood why. And she’d made hers. “I’m certain,” she said, the words ending in a gasp as she clutched at her stomach. “Go, Antoine.”
“I will see you soon,” he said, then left in a blur of speed. The air rushed past her to fill the gap of his presence, and Cally cried out as her stomach knotted so violently, it felt like she was imploding. She fell against the wall, one hand out to support herself, the other nursing her midsection, and slumped to one knee.
The pain was as excruciating as it had been in his basement apartment, a burning ache that doubled her over, then stabbing pains that felt like they were ripping her apart. And she had taken on so much more of his blood.
I have to get to the basement.
She forced herself up and staggered two steps, her blood-stained hand leaving a smear across a windowpane. But even that was too much. The hallway was empty, the stairs only a dozen feet ahead, but they may as well have been in the next state.
Another stab radiated through her, and she fell with a whimper, this time to hands and knees. Breathing hard as she tried desperately not to throw up the precious blood she’d drunk. She needed every drop of it. She knelt on all fours, trembling, waiting for the spasms to ease.
If she had to crawl all the way, she would. One hand forward, one knee. Belle’s stupid dress didn’t make it any easier. There was no strength left in her arms, and she could barely hold herself up.
The floor wavered beneath her, and she braced against the wall, waiting for the sensation to pass. She gritted her teeth. Maybe a brief rest, then she would push on. She had to get to Antoine, but her body was failing her.
Her eyes fluttered closed. She didn’t have time to sleep. Why wouldn’t they open?
Fifty-Two
“Cally! Are you all right?” Gabe shook her shoulder.
She jerked back to consciousness, lying on the wooden floor, and he was kneeling beside her, concern in his eyes.
“Yes…”Antoine.“How long was I out?” She struggled up to sit against the wall, and that simple move took all her strength.
“I don’t know. The challenge has started. When I realized you weren’t there, I came looking.”
She reached out for his hand. “Get me to him, Gabe.”
“Can you walk?” he asked, pulling a white silk handkerchief from his pocket and wiping at the blood on her face.
“Doubt it.” She took it from him, finishing the task herself, the thin material soon stained red.
He didn’t waste any more time but slipped his arms beneath her, lifting her like she weighed nothing, and strode swiftly toward the stairs.
