Page 40 of Plug and Drain

“Molly?” she yelled, even though she knew it was useless. She was a second away from screaming for help, but she stopped herself short as the solution occurred to her.

Blood. I could give him my blood.

As much as she didn’t like it, she was Arken’s best chance at survival. He needed to feed and offering him hers was faster than trying to find someone else to help him.

A selfish thought snuck in.

Or I could just leave him here. Turn around and go back to my room.

Her heart jolted, and she banished the thought at once. She didn’t have it in her to stand by and do nothing when someone lay hurt and, in this case, probably dying. Not even if that person was a vampire who’d abused her trust barely a quarter of an hour ago.

The memory of his tenderness as he’d touched her ghosted across her skin.

A strange calm washed over her as she took hold of Arken’s hand.

Deciding whether to help someone in need was simple, and it helped focus her mind.

Deciding how she’d feel about him if she could save him, well…she’d worry about that later.

Susie had never willingly given a vampire her blood before, and she had no idea how to go about it. But with Arken’s life in the balance, she couldn’t let herself worry about the ‘how’. Without further hesitation, she pierced her wrist with a claw.

A single large bead of blood appeared.

It’s not much, but it may be enough.

She lifted her wrist to Arken’s parted lips, mesmerised by his closed eyes and eerie stillness. He didn’t look like he was peacefully sleeping. He looked like he was on the brink of death, and she found herself wishing desperately that he would open his eyes so she could see the warmth of them again.

Please, work, she thought, tilting his head back and pressing her wrist more firmly to his mouth. His lips were cool, not hot like they had been on her skin when he’d kissed her cheeks and throat earlier.

Susie waited for something to happen.

Panic surged through her as the seconds passed.

This isn’t working. I need to go get help. I need to—

As Susie made to stand, she felt the briefest squeeze of Arken’s hand. Had she imagined it? She watched him carefully as she lowered herself back down. His eyes were still shut, his face expressionless, but she felt him squeeze her hand again.

She let out a shaky breath. That had to be a good sign.

And was that colour returning to his cheeks?

She lifted her wrist to his lips again—or maybe he was lifting her hand. Both of them moving in unison.

Susie didn’t flinch when Arken’s fangs pierced her flesh. He still hadn’t opened his eyes, and she suspected he wasn’t fully conscious as he passively drank her blood. He didn’t suck at her wrist, but blood slowly trickled from the puncture wounds into his mouth. Eventually, he swallowed and began to drink.

Several minutes passed as Susie knelt beside him, perfectly still as he fed from her wrist. The greyness of his skin was gone. His slightly tanned complexion returned, and his breathing became less shallow. He still hadn’t opened his eyes or given any sign that he was aware of her presence. But he was alive, and her heart rejoiced.

“Ahem,” spoke a male voice behind her, making her jump out of her skin.

“Shit,” she muttered, scooting around to look up at the newcomer. He was tall—even taller than Arken, but more slender and athletic, and not as well-muscled. He had blond hair combed sleekly back in a way that sharpened his cheekbones and made him look severe. She didn’t care for his piercing blue eyes, but for once in her life, she was happy to see them. “Nathaniel,” she gasped, looking between him and Arken. “The headmaster needs help.”

“So I see,” he drawled. “Although, I see you already took it upon yourself to provide the required…help.”

His gaze snapped to Arken, who was quietly drinking from her wrist.

Nathaniel seemed in no hurry to intervene, but Susie pulled her hand out of Arken’s hold and climbed to her feet. Nathaniel could deal with his friend—she’d done more than enough. The headmaster wasn’t her problem.

Unless he finds out I saved him.