Page 92 of Rafe

“Patience, vampire.” Ilsbeth continued to work.

Skylar reached her hands into the spray, and brushed the water over Rafe’s face, taking care to coat his eyelashes and lips. She pressed her lips to his forehead, her tears burning hot on her cheeks.

“He’s going to make it,” Ilsbeth assured her.

“How can you be sure? He’s not waking up,” Skylar cried.

“He’s born of my blood. His magick is recovering. And besides…it is the prophecy. The Alpha.” Ilsbeth pinned her with a stare. “Your Alpha.”

Skylar swore as a jolt of electricity tingled through her as if she’d touched an electrical socket. She inhaled a deep breath, willing her body and mind to calm itself.

“That’s it,” Greyson groaned out loud as Ilsbeth attended to him, spraying his chest. He’d been confident of his ability to dematerialize to Rafe, but it appeared with the time warp he’d barely been able to locate him let alone get there in time to save him from the beast.

The witch ceased spraying his chest and towered over him while he languished on the couch. Greyson’s eyes widened as he looked down to his chest, a large red patch of skin remained. “I’m not healing right. What’s going on? I think I need some more of that holy water.”

“There is only so much I can do. The venom from the Cornigerphant Acidus is intentionally potent. It must disable its prey to eat it.”

“I’m sorry, what? Did you say eat me?”

“It’s been known to happen,” Thorn added.

“Jesus.” Greyson exhaled loudly, lying back onto the sofa.

“You must feed as much as possible to strengthen,” Ilsbeth told him, ignoring his question.

“Is that an invitation?” Greyson smiled at her.

“What do you think?” With a hand to her hip, her lips pursed in anger as she pinned him with an icy glare.

“I’m guessing that’s a no for you.” Greyson glanced at Rafe. “What about him? Why isn’t he waking up?”

“He also must feed,” Ilsbeth said nonchalantly as she turned and walked back to her apothecary.

Skylar’s demeanor sobered as she glanced to Hazel who Henri helped to her feet. Though her feeding had not become sexual, she wore a drugged expression, having fallen under Greyson’s spell.

Skylar fought the angst from within, recalling the ugly jealousy that rotted her from the inside out, after Rafe fed from another woman. Falling for a wolf vampire hybrid had been one of the biggest mistakes of her life, yet as she studied Rafe’s face, she imagined his smile, warmth curling in her chest once again.

“I’m afraid I drained your maid nearly dry,” Greyson told Ilsbeth. “I’m going to have to go out.”

“No one shall be leaving the house. Not until the eclipse is upon us. I can feel my sister. She’s close, looking for him. She’s aware of the prophecy. No, I will find someone on staff for you. You will heal. As for Rafe,” Ilsbeth turned to Skylar. “He will be with his human.”

Skylar’s eyes widened. “What? Me? I can’t do it.” She looked to Dominique and Greyson and back to Ilsbeth. “He doesn’t want me. He doesn’t want to bond. You have to find someone else.”

“Don’t be foolish. You must heal him,” Ilsbeth insisted.

“This is a bad idea,” Skylar told her.

“This is a difficult situation, dove. But the witch is right,” Greyson began. “While it’s true Rafe fed earlier, he struggled because she wasn’t you. You’re his human. Just do what needs to be done. Tomorrow this will all be over, but he’s got to be strong enough to withstand the trial of the spell.”

“I can’t…” Her heart twisted in her chest lamenting her decision. How am I ever going to say goodbye? She glanced to Rafe, holding his hand in hers, aware he needed her.

“Darling. How could you possibly not take care of this delicious wolf? Perhaps he’d like to feed from me?” Dominique rose and approached Rafe.

“Stay away from him!” Skylar snapped.

A loud thud sounded as Ilsbeth slammed down a large leatherbound book onto the altar. Her face serious, she addressed Skylar, her tone both cold and stern. “Human. While I’d otherwise apologize for your baptism by fire into our world, we do not have time to waste. If I have to hold you down myself, you will feed him.”

Skylar stared at the icy witch. Ignoring her theatrics, she brushed her fingers over Rafe’s hair and gently brushed her lips to his forehead. Leaning down to his ear, she whispered. “I’m doing this for you.”