Page 89 of Bonded Through Bite

“Yes, but keep your distance from Samantha.”

“Of course,” Sophie agrees easily and gets her bag out of the car. A large bag.

“Fine, I know when I’m not wanted.” Patricia sighs dramatically and turns to go.

“I doubt that,” Rafael mutters.

“Not so fast,” Zack says and I turn my head to look at him, frowning. We need to get rid of Patricia, the sooner the better.

“She smells of Alyssa,” Zack reminds me.

As soon as Patricia hears that, she blurs toward the trees and disappears from sight.

Chapter Thirty-One

Zack

The vampire bitch zooms away from the house and I growl, frustrated. I’m in no shape to give chase and neither is Moretti or Santiago. The witch whips out her phone and calls someone. She nods quietly as she listens and then hangs up without a word.

Grandfather doesn’t even blink. He’s fully focused on Samantha and I force myself to let it go. One problem at a time. I turn my focus back to Samantha and grind my teeth. There’s strain evident in every muscle, like she’s fighting an internal battle.

Santiago’s expression is bleak when he carries her back to the house. Silently, we all follow them inside and once again I find myself on the couch. The ache in my leg is demanding my attention now that things are winding down. The witch looks me over, then digs something from her purse, and hesitates before walking over.

“Here,” she says and holds out a small bottle.

“What is that?” I ask suspiciously.

“It should help with your leg,” she replies.

“Why are you giving it to me?” I’m not a big fan of witches and this one is probably the one who caused Samantha to flip out.

She squares her shoulders. “Samantha is under The Coven’s protection. I’m here to look after her interests on behalf of The Coven.”

“How—”

“Just take your medicine, Zacky,” Grandfather cuts in.

The witch glances over at Samantha, who is whimpering in Santiago’s arms.

“I think your pain is affecting her. This should help,” she says and there’s a pleading note in her tone.

Grandfather looks like he’s ready to thump some sense into my thick skull, so I reach for the bottle and drain it in one go. The relief is immediate and the tension drains from my body. Some of Samantha’s whimpering eases too and we sigh deeply at the same time.

“Thank you,” I say.

“You’re welcome,” she replies and looks relieved.

“Sophie, I appreciate The Coven helping my grandson,” Grandfather says, all formal.

“Don’t mention it, Lord Courtkenay,” she says, but the blush on her cheeks shows that she’s pleased.

“Someone please tell me what the fuck is going on?” Santiago looks from the witch to me to my grandfather. Just then, Rafael’s phone rings and he picks it up without looking. The cursing that comes from the other end is very easy to hear.

“You fucking imbecilic vampire,” a woman shouts. “You didn’t tell me she’s awake!”

“Thea—”

“I’ll brew your blood into potions and hex your fate. I’ll ground your fangs to dust! I’ll⁠—”