Page 34
Her fingers touched the skin below the lowest wound. The room was quiet, the door locked, her warmth radiating beside his knee. Her hand paused too, before she pulled away.
“The wounds are closed,” she said. “You’ll live.”
“That was the likely outcome.”
“Your bedside manner remains terrible.”
“I’m not beside a bed.”
She laughed. It was brief and tired, but it changed the room. Marcus looked at her until the amusement faded from her face.
Del folded the cloth and set it beside the bowl. “Three vampires are dead because we refused to stop.”
“Three vampires are dead because Arrow sent a killer into their home.”
“Those statements can exist together.”
“They can.” Marcus put his shirt back on despite the blood. “Only one of them tells us who’s responsible.”
Del crossed her arms. “You defend me very easily.”
“No. I disagree when you’re wrong.”
“That’s less comforting.”
“It’s more honest.”
She looked down at him for a long moment. “Are you staying?”
“Yes.”
“I meant in the shop, not in the argument.”
“Also, yes.” Marcus collected the silver scalpels and placed them on the table within reach. “Sable knows where you work. Until we improve the wards, you don’t stay here alone.”
“I didn’t agree to a guard.”
“You don’t need to. I’m sitting in a chair.”
Del stared at him, then shook her head and went to reset the rear wards. Marcus followed with the chalk and iron she requested, holding the lamp while she repaired each damaged line. They worked until the sun rose high enough to fill the front windows.
When the final ward closed, Del’s hand shook. She tried to hide it by reaching for another jar, but Marcus caught her wrist before her fingers reached the shelf. Her pulse raced beneath his thumb.
“You’re exhausted,” he said.
“So are you.”
“I heal faster.”
“You grieve slower.”
Marcus released her. The accuracy of the statement hurt more than Sable’s claws had.
Del moved toward the stairs at the rear of the shop, then stopped with one hand on the rail. “There’s a room above the shop. The sofa is uncomfortable, but it’s better than that chair.”
“I don’t sleep much.”
“Then you can be uncomfortable upstairs.”
