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“No,” I shouted after him. “Come back here, damn you. Take me instead!” A sob tore through me. In desperation, I hurled the rock at the boat, but it fell, unnoticed, into the dark waves.
I staggered into the surf, tears streaming down my face. I was up to my waist before I realized what I was doing.
Behind me, Gabriel called out weakly. “Mila?”
With a shudder, I dragged my gaze from where the speedboat had disappeared into the night, and, still sobbing, turned to go back to Gabriel.
He was hurt. He needed me.
And there was nothing I could do for Joey now. I’d just have to pray he’d hang on until he was rescued.
I moaned his name. “I’m so sorry,” I whispered. “So sorry.”
“Mila?” Gabriel again.
I stumbled back up the beach, chest jerking. A few feet away, I paused to scrub away the tears before dropping to the wet sand next to him. “I’m right here.”
His hand clawed at the sand, seeking me. I gripped it between mine.
“You okay?” He tried to lift his head. “They’re…gone?”
“I’m fine. And two of them are dead, or whatever you call it. But…” I swallowed, tried again. “Andre got away. In your boat.”
“Fuck.” His gaze searched mine. “Joey?”
“He…” I could barely push the words past the painful constriction in my throat. “Andre…he said he’d keep Joey as a blood slave if I didn’t help him.”
A low, vicious growl. Gabriel tried to sit up, and grimaced.
“No—stay.” I grabbed his shoulders. “There’s nothing you can do right now. The lights are on in the house. Help is on the way.” At least, I hoped it was.
He let me press him back to the sand. “You sure…you’re okay?”
“I’m fine.” I took a steadying breath and focused on Gabriel. “But you—you’re hurt. He was feeding on you,” I added with a shudder.
“This?” Gabriel touched the wound on his throat. “It will heal. But…” His hand hovered over his stomach.
“What? I can’t see anything, damn it.” I was shivering so hard now, I had a hard time keeping my voice steady. “It’s s-so freaking d-dark out here.”
“Maybe…for the best.”
“Damn it, Kral. You’re scaring me here.” I eased up his T-shirt—and bit back a gasp. His abdomen was covered with blood. I could see at least two deep, ugly slashes.
I leaned closer, fighting down terror. Because it looked like he was still bleeding. A dark pool soaked the sand beneath him.
The searchlight swept over our heads again. Distantly, I registered that they couldn’t see us hunkered down in the cliff’s shadow. But I was reluctant to show myself until I knew who’d won—Gabriel’s people or Andre’s.
Gabriel gave me a crooked smile. “Don’t worry…I cut him…good, too. That’s why…drank…my blood.”
“Jesus.” I took a deep breath, glanced at the ocean. “Maybe I should clean your wound? Salt water is good for that, right?”
“I’ll be all right.” Gabriel’s eyelids drooped. “Just…don’t leave me. Promise?”
“Of course not.” I took his hand. The fingers were ice cold.
It’s just reaction. He’s hurt, lost a lot of blood.
“Sorry,” he muttered. “Should never…have…kissed you. Done anything…with you.”
