Refugee (The Captive #3)(10)

“William?” She was worried by the perplexed look on his face.

“He gave you some of his blood.” He sounded almost as equally disgusted as awed.

Aria sighed, she wanted to stay where she was, wanted to lie on the cool floor forever, but she had a feeling she had been out for awhile. It was time to get moving. William lurched awkwardly forward as she braced herself on her forearms. Pain instantly tore through her, she nearly fell back to the ground but he grabbed hold of her and helped her into a seated position. She sat for a minute, panting as the copper taste that preceded vomit filled her mouth. She shuddered, swallowing heavily as she struggled to keep her stomach from revolting.

After a few moments of taking deep breaths, she was finally able to gain enough control to realize she was not going to toss the meager contents of her stomach all over the floor. William looked like he was about to cry, his hand on her back had begun to shake, and she had never seen a look of such abject terror on his face. Not even when their mother had been killed. Then, they’d had no time to react, and had been too shocked and horrified to show any real emotion. Now he’d had plenty of time to sit here and agonize about what had happened, and what might become of her.

“I’m fine William, really.” She squeezed his hand, trying to reassure him with her strength, but it seemed weak even to her. “Just a little disoriented. But that’s better than the alternative.”

She’d hoped to elicit a chuckle from him, he only stared stone faced back at her. “The blood…”

“He’s given it to me before when I was wounded. It won’t hurt me.”

His gaze darted behind her again as he leaned closer. “But won’t it, you know...”

Aria frowned at him. She started to shake her head but realized the motion would only bring on another bout of nausea. She forced herself to remain still as she swallowed heavily. “No. I don’t know. I’m not entirely sure how that all works.”

“You’ve never discussed it?”

She lifted her hand slowly; trembling as she wiped a strand of hair back from her face. “Not that part.”

“Huh, I had assumed that you had.” William sat back on his heels; his eyes inquisitive as he studied her.

“William?” she asked worriedly.

“He really does love you.”

Aria started in surprise. “Did you think he didn’t?”

He shrugged; his fingers tapping against the floor alerted Aria to the fact that it was not solid wood beneath her, but worn carpet. The carpet was beneath her too, but she couldn’t feel it as her fingers were somewhat numb at the moment. It was an unsettling feeling not to have the full sensation of touch. She hoped the numbness went away soon. “I don’t know what to think,” William admitted. “I’d like to believe it, but it’s all really strange Aria.”

She wasn’t going to argue with that. “But seeing him today, the way he was with you, I don’t doubt it anymore. All I can do is wonder why?” Aria glared at him, but she couldn’t hold up the pretense of being mad at him as he finally managed a smile for her. “You had me worried kid.”

“You’re all of an hour older than me.”

“But it was a glorious hour of solitude,” he quipped.

“Jerk.”

“Brat.”

She awkwardly embraced him with her injured arms. “Where is Braith?”

William exhaled noisily as he pulled back. “They had to...” His gaze traveled to her wrapped arms. “Go outside.”

Aria nodded slowly, sorrow and regret twisted her insides. “This is difficult for them.”

“It’s difficult for all of us.”

She tilted her head, her heart picked up as her body instinctively began to react. “Help me up.”

“Aria…”

“He’s coming William, I can’t be sitting down.”

“How do you know that?”

“I just do, please William.”

He was about to argue further but decided against it as he slid his arms under her and gently lifted her up. He was steadying her when Braith appeared in the doorway. A muscle twitched in his cheek, his shoulders were rigid, but those hated glasses were in place so she was unable to see his eyes, unable to get a read on what he was really thinking, what he intended.

“It’s ok William,” she told him, sensing that her brother was hesitant to leave them alone as Braith seemed unstable.

William stood uncertainly before nodding slowly and leaving them. Braith’s broad shoulders almost filled the entire doorframe as he watched her in silence. Aria swallowed nervously, shifting slightly as she tried to gather what little strength she had left.

“You’re not sending me away Braith.” The silence was killing her. Braith was not the strong, silent type. When he was angry or when he was upset or frustrated, he didn’t hide it, especially not with her. “You’re not going to stash me somewhere either,” she blurted when he remained frustratingly mute.

“No, I’m not.” His voice was hoarse, grating.

“But you said before that you should have left me behind.”

“I was wrong.” She didn’t know what to say. “You nearly died.”

“I’m fine.”

“If I hadn’t been there…” He broke off as he shook his head. Her heart ached for the anguish she felt twisting through him. “I won’t send you away Aria. I won’t leave you somewhere I think might be safe because there is nowhere safe for you, and I can’t take the chance of something happening to you while I’m not there to possibly save you. This never should have happened.”