Chapter 12

She pranced and came toward me, I watched for an opening, then she turned her hand over and blew on it.

My eyes went blurry and stung like I had never felt before. I held my hand over them, the other out from my body so I could feel if she came at me. Blinking made it burn, so I squeezed my eyes shut.

“I would have like to finish this.” She said.

I heard the scrape of her sai as she picked one up.

“But it seems my incompetent men are losing.”

Her voice moved in the other direction.

“Give me a second to see again and we can finish it now.” I said, hoping the guys listening realized I was blinded.

“Such confidence.” She sounded amused. “That’s not going to clear up just like that, my dear, I’m sorry.”

“We could port somewhere and finish it.” I said. One of the guys with those boxes needed to get her.

“On my way.” Leone said.

“She’s circling you, Autumn.” Alona said quickly.

“Counter-clockwise.” Crissy whispered.

I had to hear her movement. “Stop talking.” I said abruptly, so I could hear.

Eunice laughed, thinking I had been talking to her.

Dropping my hand from my face. I crouched slightly then spun into a roundhouse. My foot connected. I recognized the sound and knew I’d hit her in the jaw. The metal clattered to the pavement as she went down. Without sight, I misjudged my landing and hit the ground myself.

“Got her.” Leone said then there was a pop noise.

“Autumn.” Michael was suddenly next to me. He picked me up off my knees and held me across his lap.

“She blew something in my eyes. Burns like acid when I open them.” I turned my face toward him, hoping he could shed some light on it.

I felt his hand touch my face.

“It’s blistering.” He said with pain in his voice.

“When you said she fought dirty, I thought you meant pulls hair, bites…”

“Alona,” Michael said abruptly, “call Clairee, tell her to get to Autumn’s room.”

“Get your mate out of here, brother, we have the last few under control.” Emil said then grunted.

Michael stood up, holding me close. “Hold on.” He whispered against my hair.

My stomach felt like it bottomed out and I knew we had transported.

He was walking then and set me down on a hard surface. Michael pulled out my earpiece and unzipped my hoodie and pull it away from my body. His hand touched my side near where she’d cut me.

I tried to open my eyes and then covered them with my hand. “It burns.” I gasped.

“Pull your arms out. I’m going to step in the shower with you and rinse it off your face.” His touch was gentle as he pulled the hoodie from my body. I heard the clatter on the floor as he shed his weapons. He scooped me up into his arms and walked across the floor.

Leaning, he turned on the taps and cool water started falling on us.

“Move your hands and let it rinse your face,” he said as he turned us into the spray.

I held my chin up, letting the water spray against my face. I tried to open my eyes again and made a guttural sound of pain as the burning intensified.

“Don’t open them.” He said next to my ear.

“Michael.” It was Alona. “Clairee is here.”

He moved and we stepped out of the water. “Grab some towels.” He said and kept walking.

I felt him lower me to the bed and move out of the way. The bed shifted like someone was beside me.

“Autumn, I’m going to pat your face dry so Clairee can take a look.” Alona said just before soft material touched my face.

“Can I give her blood to heal up her side?” Michael asked, his voice close to my head.

“I’ll get a wet clothe to clean the cut up.” Alona said.

“Let me check her eyes first, Michael, blood could heal in what we need to clean out of them.” Clairee said.

“What?” I asked feeling a little freaked out now.

I felt an arm go around me. “Let her look before we panic.” Michael whispered then kissed the side of my head.

“Okay.” I tipped my chin up.

“I’ve seen this blistering before.” Clairee mused quietly.

“Blistering?” I went to raise my hand to feel when Michael’s large hand closed around it and held it.

“Can you open your eyes?” Clairee asked.

“It burns like crazy, but yeah.” I blew out a breath and then opened them slowly. It was bright, like a light was shining in them.

“Hand me a dry cloth.” She said. “Autumn, I’m going to dab your left eye, so I can test what it is.”

“Okay.” I turned my hand and grabbed Michael’s and squeezed it as she did it.

“Okay, you can close them again.” She said quietly.

I did and blew out a breath trying to relax. “Did we get the bitch?”

“Yes.” Michael said venomously.

“Good.” I nodded. “Her and I need to have a chat once I can see.”

“I will be back as quickly…”

“I’m here.” Rafael said loudly his voice coming from the door.

“Port me to the temple, so I can double check my suspicions.” Clairee said. “I’ll be right back.” She added quickly.

“Let’s get you cleaned up a bit.” Alona said. “I can’t tell if that’s dirt on your knees or blood.”

I nodded.

“I got here as fast as I could.” Mitz said.

“Clairee had to go test what Eunice blew into Autumn’s eyes.” Michael released my hand and moved from beside me. “I have to close up the gash in her side.”

“I’ll get towels, so we can dry her and see what we’re dealing with.” Mitz said.

“Autumn, I’m going to take off your shoes.” Alona said, then I felt someone touch my feet and pull them off.

“Just lean back so we can look at this.” Michael said, his face close to mine.

“I hope I didn’t bleed all over the bed.” I said quietly.

“Don’t worry about the bedding, love, it will wash.” Mitz told me.

Michael put his arm behind me and lowered me to lay back. I felt cloth move over my waist and side.

“It’s fairly deep, Michael,” Mitz said softly, “you can seal it to slow the bleeding, but she’ll need blood to heal inside.”

“Clairee said no blood until she knows what’s in her eyes.” He said, his voice shaking.

“Eunice did this?” Mitz asked, her voice coarse.

“Yes.” He whispered.

“Wretched woman,” Mitz said. “I’m so glad you got her, finally. I’m going to place a cool cloth over your eyes, love.”

She did and it lessened some of the burning.

“Autumn took her down, even after she couldn’t see.” Alona said, her voice coming from the direction of the closet.

“I’m going to seal this, to slow the bleeding.” Michael said, his warm hand resting on my waist.

“Hello?” Alona must have answered her phone. “Okay. I will tell them.”

I felt Michael shift, then his breath was against my side.

“Clairee knows what it is, but it will take some time to make the proper ointment to counteract the effects.” Alona said.

Michael made a sound and without seeing him, I wasn’t sure if it was good or bad. His hot breath was against my skin again, then I felt his tongue against the cut. It stung, but I knew it was good pain this time.

I reached and rested my hand against his wet hair. “Is everyone else okay?” I asked quietly, not even sure who was in the room.

“Everyone is fine.” Troy’s voice came from the doorway.

“I’m going to get some hot tea.” Mitz said. “She’s shivering.”

I hadn’t even realized I was, until she said it.

“I’ll grab a blanket.” Daxx’s voice came from the end of the bed.

Michael lifted his head, so I dropped my hand away.

“I can’t give her blood until Clairee gets that out of her eyes.” Michael said, getting up.

“Are you okay to sit up?” Paisley asked. “We’ll get this robe on so you can warm up.”

I nodded and started to rise, keeping the cloth against my eyes, then Michael’s hand was beneath my shoulders helping me.

“I only slowed the bleeding, so don’t move around too much.

“I don’t think I’ll be dancing anytime soon; all the aches are setting in.” I whispered.

I felt the bed move on the other side.

“Just hold out your arm and we’ll get this on.” Paisley said.

“I’ll get the wrap off your hands.” Bethany said.

I smirked, then remembered my fat lip. “The gang’s all here, huh?”

“Everyone except Rafael and Arius.” Daxx said. “Arius went to check on his celebrity guest in the cells.”

I snorted. “I hope she landed on her face when she was ported.”

Someone chuckled.

“She certainly did when you knocked her flying with that kick.” Leone said. “It was a thing of beauty.”

“Good. I’ll have to work on my follow-through with my eyes closed. My knees are really reminding me of how I landed.”

“What happened to take no chances?” Michael asked quietly.

I switched hands holding the cloth, so Beth could take the wrap off my other hand. “I was staying out of it, admiring all of your actions when I noticed her sneaking away. You guys were busy, so I thought I’d slow her down.”

“And,” Arius’ voice boomed from the doorway, “she is pissed. Like, livid, we may have to tranquilize her.”

I grinned and touched my lip when it split open because of the movement. “That makes me feel better.” I lowered the cloth from my eyes and heard a few hisses in the room. “That pretty, huh?”

“What is taking Clairee so long?” Michael sounded like he was in pain.

I held out my hand in his direction. “Michael. Help me up, maybe one of the girls can help me change out of these wet clothes?”

He took my hand, then I was scooped up into his arms.

“Or that works too.” I said wrapping my arms around his neck. I leaned the side of my head against his as he walked into the bathroom. A warm feeling moved down my side. “I think I’m bleeding again.”

He set me on the counter and pulled the robe open. “Fuck.” I felt him hold a towel against it. “Leone.” He bellowed.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“What?” Leone asked from the door.

“Where are Eunice’s weapons?” Michael asked.

“I dropped them at the armory.” Leone answered. “Why?”

Michael pressed the towel harder into my side. “I think they were laced with something. I’ve been trying to figure out the bitter taste in my mouth, and she’s bleeding heavily again.”

“I’ll go get them and get them to Clairee.” Leone said quickly.

“What’s going on?” I asked clutching Michael’s arm.

“Michael?” Troy was in the bathroom now. I heard him come over and the towel move slightly. “Autumn do you know your blood type?”

I frowned. “Uh, yeah, but it’s rare.” I started shaking harder.

“How rare?” Michael asked touching the back of my head.

“It’s B negative.” I said, grasping Michael’s wrist. “What’s going on?”

“I’m B negative.” Paisley said slowly. “Well I was, does the full blood bond with Arius change that?”

“No.” Troy answered. “Quinton, go get the doctor.”

“Be right back.” Quinton said from the door.

Michael rested his forehead against mine. “She had coated something on her weapons, so when she cut you it won’t clot and heal.” He said softly, his voice rough. “We have an antidote, but it will take time and you’re losing too much blood.”

I grasped his hair, holding his head. “Okay, do what you have to.”

He hugged my head for a second, then straightened away.

“Doctor’s here.” Arius said from the doorway.

“Let’s get her back to the bed.” Troy said. “Paisley will give her blood; Arius can keep her strength up with his own.”

Michael picked me up into his arms and started walking. I felt him put me on the bed, and sit behind me, while still holding the cloth over my side.

“I may have to break her face after this.” I said in a shaky voice.

“I’ll help.” He said in a cold tone.

“I have to put a needle in.” A man said from beside us. “We’ll get the blood started, then I can give her the treatment to counteract the agent’s circulation.”

“Get on with it.” Michael said abruptly.

I felt cold hands on my arm.

“Paisley’s is in.” Alona said.

“You’re a nurse?” The man asked.

“I helped in the hospitals during the second world war.” Alona answered.

I hadn’t realized Alona’s age until now.

“I need to distance myself a bit now, sorry, the pain is getting to me.” She said quietly.

“Of course, my queen, her injuries are quite extensive, no need for you to suffer as well.” The doctor said.

There was a soft growl near my head.

“Hey,” I said breathlessly, “nothing’s broken.”

“Eunice Hubert do all this damage” I felt a pinch against my skin and then the burn that goes with a needle being inserted.

“Occupational hazard.” I whispered.

“She’s retiring.” Michael said gruffly.

“She fought two men before taking out Eunice.” Daxx said.

“I will ensure you recover.” The doctor said, his cool touch leaving my skin. “I have been cleaning up her carnage for too many millenniums. You will be a hero to all of Alterealm once word gets out.” I felt the bed shift. “You’ll feel a bit funny as the blood starts.” His voice was on the other side of the bed now. “Is Clairee looking after the antidote for her eyes?”

“Yes.” Michael said, his head touching against mine.

“My prince, I must insist you take the oral antidote and go feed.” The doctor said.

“I will after…”

“Now, Michael.” Troy said bluntly. “She’s going to need your strength when you can give her blood.”

Reaching with the hand that didn’t have the needle in it, I touched the side of his face gently. “Go do what have to do. When we tag team Eunice later to wreak vengeance, I need you five by five.”

He clasped my hand and moved it to kiss my palm. “Vengeance is the last thing on my mind for the first time in three hundred years.” His voice was shaky.

“My prince, your coloring is not good. You need to do as instructed.” The doctor said.

“We won’t leave her.” Daxx said.

“We’re right beside her, brother.” Arius said quietly. “Go.”

I felt Michael’s chest rise and fall. “I won’t be long.” He kissed the side of my head.

“I have what we need for her eyes, but I’ll wait until the doctor is done.” Clairee said quietly.

“Ira has increased the guard around the chambers.” Mitz said coming in the door. “In case Willis gets any ideas.”

“I’ll go check in at the cells, brother.” Chase said.

“Let me know.” Arius said.

Michael shifted and rested me against pillows.

“I’ll hold the cloth on her side.” Bethany said.

I felt the change in pressure.

“Drink this. Go shower and feed.” The doctor said. “Your mate won’t even notice you missing shortly, after I give her this to purge the poison from her system.”

The word purge didn’t sound like it was going to be a good thing.

“I’ll be back shortly.” Michael said.

I nodded, my head feeling light. “I’ll be here.” I said quietly.

Purging turned out to be as much fun as I’d feared. I threw up, hurt like I’d been put through a meat grinder and then to add to the fun, the drops for my eyes burned like I was rinsing them with gasoline. I’d had to do all of this attached to Paisley through the I.V. the whole time. Eunice had better be praying they never let me see her again.

“We can stop the transfusion now.” The doctor said, then I felt his cool hands on my arm.

“I’ve had some food and juice put in your room.” Mitz said.

“Thank you, Mitz.” Paisley said sounding tired beside me.

“Go brother, tend your mate.” Michael said.

“Keep us informed.” Arius answered, then the bed shifted.

“Thank you,” I whispered barely able to form the words.

“Guess we’re blood sisters now.” Paisley said giggling quietly.

“Try to get some tea into her.” The doctor said.

“I can’t give her blood yet?” Michael asked.

“Not just yet.” Clairee answered, “we need to flush her eyes a few more times.”

“Oh good.” I moaned, not looking forward to that.

“You can heal that wound on her side now, it will stay closed.” The doctor said. “I will check back shortly.”

“Thank you.” I whispered.

“It is my pleasure to care for the woman that took out Eunice Bosworth, my princess.” He said formally.

Someone cleared their throat. “I need to go deal with a few things.” Troy said. “Quinton, I may need your assistance.”

“I’ll check in when I get back.” Quinton said. “I’ll grab some food for you on the way back, brother.”

“Thanks.” Michael stood beside the bed now.

“If you don’t make her my sister, I’m adopting her.” Daxx said abruptly from beside me.

“We’ll be back.” Troy said, his voice near the bed now too.

Later when my head didn’t feel like sludge, I’d have questions.

“Let’s rinse her eyes again, then you can heal that wound on her side and put her in a warm bath,” Clairee said moving closer to the bed, “she must feel like she’s been crawling through mud at this point.”

“She’s in so much pain, I can barely keep it at bay.” Michael said.

I moved my head, in the direction of his voice. “You’re doing that? Making me feel kind of numb?”

“I’m trying.” He was beside my head again.

“You’ll need to feed again soon, brother.” Rafael said quietly.

“I’m aware.” Michael said in a low tone.

I felt him lift my head, a towel in his hand.

“How many more times do we have to do this?” I asked, trying not to sound like a wimp.

“Until your vision clears.” Clairee said. “I’m sorry, but it’s the only way to flush it out without damaging your vision.

“That’s okay, the visions of what I’m going to do to Eunice when I see her again are keeping me happy right now.” I whispered.

Someone snorted.

“Victor said she’s still going crazy in the cell.” Crissy said from the other side of the room.

“Good.” I said. I felt Clairee touch my face and blew out a breath, knowing what was coming next.

“Sorry.” She whispered, just before I felt the drops hit my eye.

I gritted my teeth and blew out a breath between them.

Michael’s hand shook as he held my head.

“Do the other one.” I said trying not to squeal.

She touched my other eye and the drops hit it.

I groaned this time, then squeezed them shut, panting through the pain.

“I’ll come back in a few hours and do it again.” She said quietly.

I felt the bed shift as she got up. I wanted to thank her but couldn’t speak right yet. I just lay there, holding Michael’s hands against my head, breathing in and out slowly.

“Mitz and I can help her get ready for a bath.” Bethany said.

Michael slowly released my head.

“We’ll put her in something so you can join her, Michael.” Mitz said quietly.

I felt his weight shift as I he got off the bed. Then his arms were under my legs and I was being lifted.

He went into the bathroom and set me on the counter.

“I want to heal this closed now.” He said softly, pulling the robe open.

I put my hand on his shoulder as he leaned down, his hand on my back, so I could lean back. I rested my hand on his head as his mouth moved over the cut on my side. His touch was gentle. It didn’t sting like it had, but I suspected he was still doing whatever it was to help me with the pain.

When he lifted his head, I touched his jaw. “Don’t make yourself weak for me.”

He dropped his head into my lap. “You shouldn’t have been there.”

I tugged on his hair gently, wishing I could see his face. “Hey,” he lifted his head, “I don’t regret any of it, well except my landing at the end, but I’ll heal.”

He stood up and leaned over me. “I’ll let the girls help you change.” His voice was shaky, he kissed the top of my head then straightened.

“We’ve got her.” Bethany said from beside him and I felt her touch my shoulder to keep me upright on the counter.

“I’ll be right outside the door.” He said.

“I found something.” Crissy said coming into the room.

I heard the door close. “Who all is in here?”

“Mitz, Crissy and I.” Bethany said.

“Okay, good, because I’m not sure I can stand or walk right now.” I leaned back against the mirror. Someone turned the water on in the tub.

“We’ll make sure you don’t hit the floor.” Beth said.

“Appreciate it. I don’t think I can handle another bruise right now.” I moved my arms as someone pulled the robe off my shoulder.

“You are so many shades of red and purple right now.” Bethany whispered.

“Yeah, I bruise easy, which since I’m a fighter means I’m always multi-colored.” I said hissing out a breath as I lifted my other arm.

There was a quick knock on the door.

“Came back to help. Troy is barking orders at everything that moves.” Daxx said.

I heard the door close.

“They are all going to be restless for a while, love, it affects them all when one of you women get hurt.” Mitz said.

“Help us get her standing. I think we’re going to have to rip open the scabs on her knees to get these pants off.” Beth said sounding distressed.

“Awesome. More pain.” I mumbled.

“Michael will be able to give you blood soon.” Daxx said as I felt her put her hand under my arm.

“I’ll get the other side.” Crissy said. “Victor’s aura is swirling right now. Someone is going to get raged on.” She said softly as she took my other arm.

I managed to get to the edge of the counter, but my knees buckled when my feet hit the floor.

“We’ve got you.” Daxx said.

“Better be quick.” I said huffing out a breath. “I have no strength right now.” As they peeled the pants down my legs, I concentrated on keeping my knees locked. When they pulled them over my knees, I hissed out a breath.

“Daxx?” Michael was on the other side of the door.

“Not yet, Michael.” She adjusted her hold, so I could try to lift one foot out. “The spike in pain was just getting the leggings over her scraped-up knees.”

I could hear mumbled voices outside the door. I needed distractions as they helped me lift feet and pulled some kind of shorts up my legs. “What’s this mate, princess stuff?”

It was totally silent for a moment.

“Michael warned the other males to keep their distance, so I guess you’re his.” Daxx said quietly, her response hesitant.

They leaned me back against the counter, so we could take my sports bra off. “Maybe he was afraid I’d hurt them.” I blew out a breath, feeling winded from doing nothing.

“Try to lift your arms, love.” Mitz said quietly.

Daxx and Crissy lifted my arms.

“No. You’re Michael’s. For sure.” Crissy said. “The prophecy couldn’t be for anyone else.”

I felt material moving down my arms.

“What’s it say, Criss?” Daxx asked.

“It’s a tank top.” Bethany told me as they worked it over my chest.

I nodded, too breathless to speak.

“The keeper of peace will find his mate in a woman that is a champion for the meek.” Crissy said quietly like she was reading it from a book. “A woman without fear will bring justice to any whose morals faulter.”

Daxx snorted. “That is definitely you, Autumn.”

I blew out a breath. “I don’t know about any of that. I just do what needs to be done.”

“Exactly.” Beth said. “Okay let’s try to get you over to the tub and into it.”

I nodded. “So, mate, like you girls and your tattoos kind of thing?” I needed to take my mind off how much more moving around was hurting.

“Yes. When you’re feeling better, we’ll explain.” Daxx said supporting more of my weight.

“Okay. Let me kick off my shoes and step in, so I can balance you.” The water turned off.

“Can you lift your leg, love?” I felt Mitz reach down to help me.

“I think,” I huffed out a breath, “you’re mistaken.” My foot touched the water.

“Other one.” Daxx said.

“He wears a scar on his face,” I grunted trying to force my muscles to work, “for another woman.” My other foot was in the water.

“Okay, let me get behind her.” Bethany said.

“That was a long time ago.” Mitz said softly.

Bending was, to put it mildly a bitch, my whole body was shaking when I was finally sitting. “Not to him,” I whispered. “Every time he’s close to me I see the regret in his eyes.”

“Oh?” Daxx said in a strained voice.

“Then he freezes and leaves.” I put my head back and rested it against the tub. “Don’t let me slide under and drown.”

Bethany laughed. “I’ll stay and support you until Michael gets here.”

“We’ll corner Quinton later and get the full story, he was around then.” Daxx said.

“So was Victor, but he will just clear his throat and go find something to be busy with.” Crissy said.

Daxx snorted. “Another trait shared among the brothers.”

“Daxx?”

Michael was at the door again.

“You can come in now.” She said.

I heard the door open.

“Bastard, you could have used eufori.” Rafael said by the door. “And closed the marks.”

“You’ll heal.” Michael said coming into the room.

I heard the door close and knew he was in the room; I could feel his eyes on me. “Did you just bite your brother?”

“He offered so I didn’t have to leave.” His voice came closer to the tub. “Showing him how to feed when he was fifteen was painful.”

“I remember.” Mitz said. “You boys would draw straws to see who went next.” She laughed. “Except Chase, he said it was a fang problem.”

“Mmm,” was his only reply.

I heard movement but couldn’t tell what was going on.

“Oh. Okay. We’ll go now.” Bethany said, the water moving as she got up.

“Yep.” Daxx sounded like she was at the door.

“Bye.” Crissy said.

“Don’t keep her in there too long, love.” Mitz said. “I’ll send some food.”

I heard the water splash around. Then the water level rose.

“Thanks, Mitz.” Michael said quietly from in front of me.

He was in the tub with me.

I heard the door close.

“Are we alone?” I asked, my voice barely functioning.

“Yes, just relax. I won’t let you slip under.” His voice was low. “I’m going to heal any areas I can without blood.”

I relaxed my hold on the edge of the tub. I felt his hands touch one leg, bending it slightly. Before I could ask how bad it was, his mouth moved over my knee. Anything I was about to say vanished. I wondered if he’d taken his clothes off or if he’d climbed in dressed like he had with the shower.

Finishing with that leg, he touched the other one, bending the knee.

“Are your eyes red?”

“Mmm,” was his replay as his mouth touched my leg.

“If I weren’t half dead here, I’d be enjoying this—I’m sure it’s every girl’s dream.”

He lowered my leg, then I felt him move closer.

I could feel his skin against my legs.

He took my hand and his mouth moved over my fingers; his tongue healing cuts I didn’t know I had.

“I especially appreciate it because I know being too close to me bothers you.” I whispered.

His mouth paused. “You’re like this because we allowed you to use yourself as bait to lure Eunice out.”

“I did what I had to.”

He moved again, his large body against most of mine now.

I felt his breath on my jaw as he tilted my head to the side. “So, you’re just grateful that I got her?” I whispered.

His lips, then his tongue moved over the corner of my mouth. “It’s not like that, Autumn. I can’t explain right now.” I could feel his hair brush my forehead. “I’m already struggling with my instinct to go slit her throat, seeing you like this.”

I reached up and touched the side of his face. “We’ll have this talk when I can see you.” I whispered.

He licked over my swollen lip. “Shh, just rest and let me help you.” His large hand cradled my head gently.

I relaxed into it.

The next thing I knew, I was being woken up.

“Autumn,” Michael’s voice was next to my ear. “Clairee’s here to rinse your eyes again.”

I opened them. I could see light and some blurry images.

“Can you see us?” Clairee asked.

“Just blobs, but they don’t burn now when I open them.”

“Oh, good. You should be able to give her blood after this. It would probably clear up on its own without this treatment, but I want to be sure—after what we went through with Crissy.” She said softly.

“I agree.” Michael said and then I found my head being lifted into his big hands.

“Hold this towel, so we don’t soak her pillow.” Clairee said.

“Is it going to burn again?” I asked when she touched my face.

“Probably, sorry.”

“Go for it.” I blew through the stinging, holding onto the fact that I’d be able to see again. “I was a little worried at first.” I confessed when she was done.

“I can imagine how frightening it must have been.”

“Yeah, not to mention learning how to fight all over again.”

Clairee chuckled. “I think you should consider a career change.”

I blew out a breath as she wiped the side of my face. “This is who I am.”

“I think you’re amazing.” She said, then the bed shifted. “No bright lights for a few hours, but you can give her blood now to heal—everything else.”

Michael got off the bed. “Thank you, Clairee.”

I heard the door close and lifted my head, trying to see. Everything was a blur, the only light coming from the bathroom.

“Do you want some juice or tea?”

I shook my head on the pillow. “I’m just too tired to try right now.”

I felt the bed shift again. “I want to give you blood a few times before morning, to make sure everything is healed.” He lay down beside me, then pulled the covers higher up on me.

I realized I was naked under them.

“Mitz took off your wet clothes after the bath.” He said quietly.

Pulling my arm out, I reached and touched his waist. “Thanks for looking out for me.”

He didn’t say anything for a moment. “Blood and then rest.”

I could feel him moving, then he grasped the back of my head gently, pulling me toward his chest. I opened my mouth, using my tongue to find the cut in his flesh.

He inhaled sharply, his hand flexing in my hair. When it closed, he took a ragged breath. “Again.” He said in a rough, gravelly voice.