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“It’s waiting for me, I can’t get past it…” Again, the faint sound of Chase’s voice, echoing through the room, but it did not come from his lips.
I glanced around. Where the hell was he and how come we were hearing him? And what was the it he was talking about? Vanzir and I had munched the creepshow that was after him last night.
But…but…it wasn’t the thing that had hurt him. What I’d seen—and Vanzir had destroyed—was after him over on the Dream-Time, but it hadn’t touched him yet. I’d seen to that. No, something else actually got to him. And whatever that something was, it still had hold of him.
And then, I saw it—a motion, a whisper of something being forced out of Chase’s nose. He began to breathe hard, and I motioned for Delilah to stay where she was as I took a closer look. Whatever it was, it was wispy and wraithlike, and I knew it wasn’t Shade.
Camille and Morio turned their attention to it. They reached out, their hands joined, and plunged them into the heart of the creature. An unearthly shriek filled the air and the spirit vanished. A moment later, Chase let out a loud gasp and smoke poured from his mouth. It flowed over to the side of the bed and out of the dim shadow, Shade stepped forth.
Chase coughed, harshly, and then moaned. Mallen rushed over to him and checked his pulse and heart, then smoothed his hair back as Chase’s eyes fluttered open.
“Where…where…” His voice was ragged and hoarse.
“Quiet, Chase. Rest. You’re safe now.” Mallen injected something into his arm, and Chase fell back into a peaceful, deep sleep. Mallen looked up at me. “I’ve given him a sedative. He’ll sleep for a couple of hours and then wake. The drug is mild and short-acting.”
Shade looked pensive. His gaze fluttered up to meet mine, and he shook his head. “Not good. Delilah, we have need of you, my pet.”
Delilah began to shimmer, shifting back into her normal form. As she stood and stretched, eyes wide, Chase murmured in his sleep, but he was calmer and seemed to be resting peacefully.
“What the fuck was the thing that came out of him? And what on earth were you doing?” She gazed at him. “Is this part of your Stradolan nature?”
Shade nodded. “Partially, yes, and partially from my shadow dragon heritage. Come, let’s go talk in private, where we won’t disturb him.” He turned to Mallen. “Can you have someone set up wards, immediately? The entire building needs to be protected from the outer planes—the Netherworld, astral, Dream-Time, and etheric. There may be more ways for them to enter, but for now that should do.”
Mallen didn’t ask why, just nodded crisply. “Can you stay here while I summon more help? I don’t want to leave him alone.”
“Hurry, then.” Shade sounded worried, and when a dragon—half or otherwise—was worried, it was time for all of us to be concerned.
Mallen hurried out. Delilah was holding Chase’s hand. Camille and Morio looked as worried as Shade and I wondered what the hell they’d figured out. As for me, I was busy watching the walls for any sign of bloody ectoplasm or flying objects. Life was just too spirited anymore.
A moment later, Mallen returned with several medics and someone who reeked of magic. As I stared at her, she flashed me a quick smile, and I saw the fangs descending. Fuck, she was a vampire.
Mallen nodded for us to leave, but I wasn’t ready. I motioned for the others to go, but I hung back, sidling up to the elf and the vampire.
“So, you’re one of my kind.” I glanced up at her—she, like just about everybody else, was taller than me.
She gave me a brief once-over and shrugged. “We both drink of the blood, but otherwise, I wager we’re nothing alike.” And with that rebuke, she turned to Mallen. “You wish me to begin? Please ask her to leave.”
My feathers ruffled, I stood my ground. “I’m not leaving a vampire in here with my friend until I find out just who you are and what the fuck you’re doing here. If you don’t like it, we can just take it outside and shake it up, sister.”
She bristled, stepping forward. “Do not tempt me. Just because Roman made you his bitch doesn’t mean that you can’t have an accident. You stab your sire and sit in a place of honor? I spit on your hem.” As she jabbed me in the chest with her finger, I smacked her a good one, knocking her back on her butt.
Obviously, she hadn’t been expecting that. “I should rip open your neck.” She jumped to her feet and straightened her dress.
“Try it. See how far you get. I’ve got the blood of one of the most notorious vampires in history running through my veins. You really want to fuck with me?” And once again, I reached out and shoved her back.
She was just about to launch herself at me when Mallen stepped between us. “Enough. Charlotine, please—the wards.” He turned to me. “Come with me—no, stop now,” he added as I began to protest. “She will not harm him, I give you my word of honor.”
“Your word better be etched in gold.” I followed him out of the room. “What the fuck are you thinking, letting a strange vampire hang out around an unconscious FBH? Are you serious?”
Mallen took hold of my wrists as I smacked him—lightly—on the chest. “I have never seen you so hysterical. What the hell is going on with you?” His close proximity left me smelling his clean, leaf-green scent. The pulse of his blood raced through his veins; the gentle rise and fall of his chest bespoke the beating of his heart.
“Mallen, back off. Please.” I waited for him to move away and quietly willed my fangs to fold back up. This thirst I’d been feeling for my friends was disconcerting and I didn’t like it. “Chase is our friend. Practically family. You bring a strange vampire—who, I might add, acts like a sullen bitch—into the room with him. Not only that, but she reeks of magic. And you wonder why I’m upset?”
“That’s why she’s here. She’s going to set up the wards to protect him. She’s a very powerful sorceress and she works in Elqaneve for Queen Asteria. She happened to be over here on a vacation and I called her in. She’s old, Menolly, very old, and she can be trusted even if you don’t like her bedside manner.”
I shook my head. “You can’t trust any vampire. Not even me—not fully. Fine, let her set up her wards. But do me a favor and get your ass back in there and keep an eye on her.”
Before he could answer, I turned and left.
