Page 89 of Dark Obsession

CHAPTER TWENTY

Demetrius tried to follow everything going on around him, but it was a struggle. He’d hit the back of his head pretty hard, steady pain pulsing from the spot. But even with that and the noise and confusion all around them, he wasn’t able to take his eyes off Cody. Although covered in dark, sticky vampire blood, Cody looked even more beautiful than usual. His brown hair threaded with ginger highlights and a touch on the shaggy side appeared thicker, and he kept looking all around the alley, checking everyone’s condition, assessing threats, and watching Lucia approach. The arm around Demetrius’s shoulders even felt stronger, keeping him firmly in place against his side.

“You’ve still got silver bullets?” Cody asked when Lucia reached them.

“Apparently, I do.” Her expression was stony, smears of soot on her forehead and cheeks. “I should’ve taken the first shot at him.”

“It was a standoff,” Cody said. “There’s no right answer.”

Demetrius felt Cody’s fingers tighten on his shoulder.

“Everyone okay?” Lucia looked around the group then frowned at Demetrius. “You’re hurt.”

“No, I’m fine.”

“Did she bite you?” Cody held him out a short distance, hands tight on both of his shoulders as he looked him over. “Where are you hurt?”

“I hit my head against the wall, but, really, I’m okay.” Demetrius touched the back of his head and flinched.

“Come over here and sit down.” Cody sat him on the edge of a planter.

The others in their group were peppering Lucia with questions, and she was responding in her usual brusque manner. Demetrius heard her tell Oliver his grandmother and Dieter were safe and waiting in Memorial Park at the other end of the street. As Cody crouched in front of him, she looked over at Demetrius and said, “Amelia and Otis are there, too. They’re safe.”

Demetrius’s muscles loosened, and his head suddenly felt too heavy. He tipped forward, but Cody caught him, his grip strong on his upper arms.

“Easy there, baby. I’ve got you.” Cody’s voice was deep and steady, calming.

Demetrius heard Lucia say, “He needs an ambulance.” She sounded like she was very far away.

“Are there any left?” Cody said. He lifted Demetrius’s chin with a sticky finger and said in a low voice, “Demmy, can you look at me?”

Demetrius tried, but his eyes wouldn’t stay open for long. He could see Cody’s furrowed brow and pinched skin at the corners of his eyes. He tried to smile, but it seemed to take a lot of effort. “Hi.”

“Hi, babe. You’ve most likely got a concussion. Do you want me to get you to the hospital?”

“No.” Demetrius tried to shake his head but had to stop and squeeze his eyes shut. “Ow. No hospital. We need to finish this. Find Zenona.”

“If I could help you feel better right away, would you want that?”

“Yes, please.”

“It’s kind of outside the boundaries of being legal.”

Demetrius managed to open one eye. “What is it?”

“Fang.”

“The blood drug?”

“Yeah. I got some in my mouth, and I feel a million times better. It would definitely help you, but I want you to know what⁠—”

“Yes. I want it. How do I get it?”

“Can you suck my finger for a few seconds?”

That got Demetrius to open his eyes again. “Suck your what?”

Cody smiled. “Not that. No time for that.” He held up his middle finger. “This. Suck my finger, just for a few seconds.” Cody glanced over his shoulder before touching his middle finger to Demetrius’s lips. “Quick now, okay?”