Page 22 of Bonded Through Bite

I can’t slip her my blood. It would be worse than useless in this situation. She said the doctors have given up. And the brews her witchy friend makes only alleviate some of the symptoms. There’s nothing I can do, and the helplessness starts a simmering rage deep in my stomach.

I should have pushed. Demolished all the walls she built between us. From that first night, I should have never let her go.

Someone clears their throat, and I glance over my shoulder to see the nurse there. She brings over my car keys and pats my hand gently.

“I’m sorry,” she says, in a tone that conveys she thinks Samantha is already lost. Before I can bite her head off, Thea bursts through the curtain.

“They are ready to move her to the room upstairs. Her family is on their way. Walk with me, Rafael.” She takes over the situation and I find myself following her as a pair of nurses wheel Samantha away.

Thea leads me to a quiet room, like she knows the hospital layout in her sleep. She tilts her head and says, “She’s fading fast. There’s also a DNR she signed some time ago.” She holds up a hand to stall my angry retort. “I know, I know. You are furious. I can taste that in the air around you.”

“Three years,” I bite out.

“Would you believe me if I told you I actually rooted for you?”

I snort.

Thea’s face hardens. “I’d rather have my best friend be a vampire than dead. Is that so hard to believe?”

Every thought I had screeches to a halt. What? She wants me to turn Samantha into a vampire? “She said no,” I snap.

“Of course she did.” Thea rolls her eyes, crosses and uncrosses her arms. “Here’s the thing. I’m not willing to let her go. Are you?”

I take a step back and look her over. “She said no,” I repeat, but my voice lacks the conviction it should hold. The idea already took root and now I can’t shake it. There’s just one problem. “I’m not sure she’s strong enough to make it through the transformation.”

“Well, she certainly won’t survive this.” Her reply is snappish, but I hear the pain underneath.

“And what if she came out… wrong on the other side?”

Thea’s eyes search mine again and I think I see relief in them. “She won’t. That’s not an option I’ve even seen.”

“What—”

“I’m not going to lie. It’s a huge fucking gamble, but I’m out of other cards to play.”

“Fine. Let’s say I turn her. She’s going to hate our guts for it.”

For a second, Thea’s presence grows, then she sighs. “You. She’s going to hate your guts because I can’t make that decision for you. However, I’m going to give you a once-in-a-lifetime best friend’s get-out-of-jail-free card and tell you to ignore what she said. I’ll even back you up… if I can.”

I quirk a brow at her, but she doesn’t elaborate, so I have to ask. “You are truly fine with a vampire turning someone against their wishes? Wars have been fought for that very reason.”

Her lips press into a tight line and she nods sharply. “Yes.” She shudders a bit, rubs at her temples, and mumbles in a way I’m not sure she meant to speak out loud. “So many paths and all of them murky. Can’t interfere more…”

“Thea?”

She blinks, her eyes clearing, and straightens her spine. “Choose, vampire, and choose soon. Time is running out.” Then she walks out of the room without a backward glance. I stay behind just a second, and then follow her.

By the time we reach the room where Samantha is settled, her family begins to arrive. Thea introduces me as a friend, but none of them pay much attention to me as they gather around Samantha. She looks so frail on the hospital bed. Pale and lifeless, with her eyes closed. There’s nothing left of the vibrant creature I got to know over these years.

Despite everything, she was always brimming with life. Her presence filled any room she inhabited.

Am I ready to let that light fade permanently?

Her family pulls me out of my thoughts, as what they are doing registers. Or more like what they are not doing. There are no tears and pleads for her to wake up. They all just sit around her, holding her hands or touching her legs, and start talking about everyday things. School plays, who’s going to host the next barbecue, what sports team is winning some championship, what they are going to cook for Sunday dinner.

I want to roar at them. What’s wrong with all of them?

Don’t they realize she’s dying?