Then we moved at the same time. The man fled. Alex and Graves ran after him, and I followed although reluctantly. I’d witnessed enough violence for one night.
Nurses and patients screamed as the vampire and the werewolf darted down the hallway; they weren’t using their inhuman speed, but they were fast.
“Sorry, sorry.” I smiled at the nurses as if everything were normal.
Halos of different colours distracted me, and someone’s pain caused me to stagger. I called my power back, not to feel ill.
I chased Alex and Graves, but they were too fast for me.
They raced towards the main hall packed with doctors and patients in pain. While Graves shot after the man without slowing down, Alex’s steps faltered. He danced around people, wincing every time someone walked close to him.
“Out of my way!” I waved my arms, opening a path for Alex.
He stared at me with gratitude.
“Stay close to me, as we did the other day.”
We made our way out together, but we’d lost precious moments. Graves and the man were nowhere to be seen.
Panting, Alex leant against the wall. “I hate this.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“You nearly died because of my weakness.”Weaknesssounded like a hiss.
His carriage was stationed close to a lamppost, and under the light, the tension on his face was more evident.
I made the gesture of caressing his hand. “I would like to help.”
“I would love that too.” The vulnerability in his voice hurt me.
“We start with small touches until you’re comfortable with a hug.”
When he lowered his gaze, he looked like the hurt boy I remembered. “That would be wonderful.”
“Where have you been?” Graves marched towards us, fully human. He was carrying the motionless man on his shoulders, seemingly without any effort. “You left me alone to chase this devil.”
“It’s my fault,” I said before Alex spoke. “I fell, and Alex helped me.”
The colour of charcoal filled Graves’s aura—suspicion. “I saw you trembling when a nurse brushed you,” he said to Alex.
“She was wearing a silver bracelet that hurt me.” Alex touched the man with his boot.
“He’s unconscious.” Graves tossed him into the carriage, but his aura remained brimming with suspicion.
Alex moved aside not to be touched by Graves. “Did he say anything?”
“Yes.Don’t kill me.” Graves scoffed. “I won’t leave his cell this time. No tricks.”
35
FEEDING
Irene
The ride home was particularly uncomfortable for Alex. The carriage was packed, and his elbow touched mine, but he didn’t shiver or scoot away from me. He’d refused to hail a cab, worried the thug might escape. Graves stared at Alex with undisguised annoyance. The fact Alex didn’t tell him to stop was a testament to his suffering.
He was the first to bolt out of the carriage when we arrived at Raven Hall.
