“Guys?” Haley’s voice was thin, but when she opened her eyes and looked at me, I knew she was okay. Alive.
“Sparrow.” I couldn’t hide my relief. Somehow I forced my legs to carry me to her bedside when all they wanted to do was collapse under me. Brushing the matted hair from her forehead, I said, “How do you feel?”
Jax was at her other side in a flash, his hands clasping one of hers, pressing it to his mouth. “Angel, you gave us quite a scare.”
She smiled, weak and watery, but her eyes were full of light. “And here I thought you were fearless, sinner.”
When he spoke again, it was so quiet I knew she couldn’t hear him—only a vampire could. “That was before I met you.”
He leaned in and brushed his lips to hers, as soft as a whisper.
“Jax,” I said, a little harsher than intended, but fuck it. “I need a moment with Haley, if you don’t mind.”
“Actually, I do mind, Saint. Think I’ll stay put for now.”
“Jax,” I said again. “Leave.”
I glared at him until he saw whatever he needed to see in my eyes. Then, without another protest, he got to his feet.
“I’ll be back to check on you soon, angel.” He traced his thumb along her brow bone and smiled. Then, sparing me one last scowl, he stalked out of the room and shut the door.
With a shaky sigh, I knelt beside the bed. Took her hand in mine.
And asked her the only question that mattered.
“How do you feel about human blood?”
17
ELIAN
Human blood?” Haley’s nose crinkled in a way that made me want to press a kiss between her eyebrows. “Is this a metaphor for something, or have you finally scrambled your brains completely?”
“Warm and salty,” I continued, “the faint taste of iron hitting the back of your throat as it slides down and—”
“Are you trying to make me puke, or just punch you in the face? Because I’m pretty close to doing both right now.” She smacked her lips a few times, scrunching up her face again. “Andyourblood isn’t much better. God, this isgross. Can I get some water? And can we please not talk about your meal preferences again until I’ve had a sandwich or something? Actually, that reminds me, I could use a sandwich, too.” She snapped her fingers and pointed in the direction of the kitchen. “Near-death experiences really make a bitch hungry.”
“But not for human blood, right? You’re sure?”
“Elian! What iswrongwith you?”
I laughed, my chest still so tight with worry it hurt on the way out, but I didn’t care. Sparrow was okay. Perky, demanding, hungry—definitely back to normal.
“Be right back.” I headed out to the kitchen to get her some water and a snack. Jax was pacing before the fireplace. “She’s fine,” I told him. “Mostly healed. All human.”
A grunt was all the response he could muster.
Then he stalked right out the door, probably to go help Hudson track down the traitors.
Best thing he could do right now. For all of us.
Back in the bedroom, I said, “Confession? I kinda thought I’d accidentally turned you into a vampire. Well, Jax thought so, anyway. I was in complete control the entire time. Mostly. Partly.”
“A vampire?” Her eyes widened, and I felt the strain of her muscles as she tried to bolt upright.
“Don’t,” I said softly. “You’renota vampire, which means you’re not strong enough to murder me, as tempting as the idea may be.”
She narrowed her green eyes. “Well, you healed me, so clearly I’m no longer incapacitated.”
