"Not that I've seen," she says. "It works. If more vampires were willing to donate, we could save a lot more lives."
It makes sense. Darius had researchers studying vampire blood for decades. I was told it doesn't affect humans much, unless there's intent behind it. You can't turn someone byaccident. But they never explained how it works on other supernaturals.
They didn't tell me everything.
I glance at her. "Wouldn't that be nice? If they volunteered... instead of people like me chaining them up and bleeding them dry?"
Her smile is soft, but her eyes are sharp. "It would be nice, yes. But we don't live in an ideal world. And most vampires aren't like Asher." She finishes the last stitch, then adds gently, "I don't blame you. Everyone here has shadows in their past. Yours just came with blood transfusions and a price tag."
She discards the gloves and moves to prep an IV. "Would this work for you? Any idea?"
"I think so," I say. "Never needed one before. But I'm still mostly human."
When the cool drip of saline hits my veins, I feel it immediately. Artificial and clean. My body starts to settle.
"Blood pressure's coming back up," Eira murmurs, checking the monitor. "You're stabilizing."
I nod and sip the water she hands me, swallowing the vitamins and supplements without comment.
She glances at her phone. "Would you like to stay with me tonight?"
I frown. "Did Asher ask you to offer?"
She nods. No attempt to lie. "He's worried."
I sigh. "I'm not bleeding anymore. I'll be fine. Unless he's going to be stubborn about it, I'd rather go home."
Eira smiles faintly. "All right. I don't think he'll push it. I'll drive you back."
Home. The word feels strange again. And still, I want to go—back to the house, back to them.
It would be smarter to stay away. To run. They're vampires, and tonight proved what I was afraid of—Kayden most of all.
And yet… I don't want to run, even if that's the sensible choice. Something in me shifted, and I don't know how to shift it back.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Asher
I've cleaned the mess in the kitchen. The blood in the car. Texted Eira. Checked the perimeter for Kayden. Twice.
With nothing left to do, my mind circles back to what happened.
I promised I'd keep her safe, and my own brother broke that promise. Nearly did, anyway. The very thing she feared came true. Because of us.
Because ofme.
I clench my fists, the tension burning through my forearms. I should've followed protocol. Standard containment procedure. Not instincts. Not… feelings. That's what happens when you stray from discipline.
To reset, I drop into push-ups. Let the motion drive the thoughts out.
Seventy-eight, seventy-nine, eighty—
A ping breaks the rhythm. Eira.
"She asked to come back. I'm bringing her now."
Damn it.
