Refugee (The Captive #3)(12)
His eyes flashed briefly red again, his hand slid free as he moved her into a position that protected her from Ashby’s gaze. Aria felt her face heat at the thought of what Ashby may have seen as she quickly re-buttoned her shirt. “So help me Ashby if you don’t leave us be for five minutes…”
“There’s someone coming.”
In a split second everything about him changed. Gone was the laziness of his posture along with the small half smile that had curled his mouth. Before her now was the man that would one day rule if they succeeded. He lowered her slowly and turned away. “Who is it?” he inquired as he replaced his glasses.
Ashby shook his head appearing disconcerted as he glanced between the two of them. “I don’t know. A figure just appeared over the horizon. I’m not sure if there are others with it.”
Braith glanced back at her, for a moment she thought he was going to order her to stay, but then he held his hand out to her. Relief filled her as she slid her fingers between his and he led her from the room. Aria was able to get a good look at her surroundings as they stepped into the hall. The room she’d been in had no windows in it, and it appeared that none of the other rooms up here did either.
Braith led her down a rickety set of stairs that seemed to drop from a hole in the floor. She stopped at the bottom, staring up as she examined the darkened area above her. It took her a moment to realize that it was an attic, she hadn’t seen one in years.
His hand squeezed hers as he led her down another set of stairs to the first floor. Unlike the attic, this area was covered in dust and sand. It coated what remained of the furniture and was piled against the back wall. William turned from the doorway as they crossed the room.
“It’s alone, as far as I can tell,” William informed them.
Braith squeezed Aria’s hand before releasing her. “She has to have her arms wrapped back up.”
William stared at him for a long moment, his eyebrows furrowed questioningly before he nodded. William glanced at her arms, shaking his head as he pulled the remains of her ruined cloak from the bag on the floor. “Leave it to you sis to nearly get killed by one vamp and make out with another.” Braith shot him a lethal glare as Aria felt her face flare red again. She remained silent though as William tore pieces of cloth with his teeth and hands. “We should find something to clean it with.”
“It won’t get infected,” Ashby assured him as he moved slowly past them.
“And how do you know that?” William demanded.
“Infections don’t live in us.”
William and Aria studied him. “You don’t get sick?” Ashby shook his head in response to William. “Ever?”
“No.”
Aria stood in stunned amazement, lost in thoughts of the rebellion she’d been a part of since birth. “We never had a chance did we?” she asked.
Braith finally turned toward her but he didn’t respond. He didn’t need to, she already knew the answer. William had become still, his fingers were wrapped around the scraps of cloth in his hands as he looked slowly between the two of them. “Aria isn’t one of you though.”
“No, but Braith’s blood has already accelerated the healing process; it will boost her immune system also. The cuts will not get infected.”
She met her brother’s worried gaze for a moment before he finally turned his attention back to ripping the pieces of cloth. He bandaged her arms with fingers that quivered against her skin. She knew how he felt. She was just as rattled by the realization that not only were the vampires faster, stronger, and possessed enhanced senses, but they apparently had never even had one freaking sniffle in their lengthy life spans.
William tied the last knot, squeezed her hand and then stood. Aria was drawn to the doorway, curious about the new arrival as she picked up her bow and arrows. “Is it human?” she inquired.
“It is,” Braith confirmed.
The figure had gotten close enough for Aria to realize that it was a woman. She appeared to be about five years older than Aria with long brown hair that flowed around her shoulders. She wore a dress that hugged her curves and swayed about her feet as she moved. The woman was beautiful as she flashed a bright, disarming smile. Braith was wooden beside her, his hands clenched upon the doorframe as he studied the woman with a flare of his nostrils that caused a knot of apprehension to form in Aria’s stomach.
Here was the food source they’d been lacking.
Aria thought she might be sick as Ashby stepped beside her, practically salivating. Aria remained unmoving, struggling to breathe normally as her heart lumbered. They wouldn’t force this woman to provide blood, or at least Aria didn’t think they would, but she wasn’t entirely certain just how much the depravation of blood may have affected them.
If this woman was willing, then she knew they would have to use her as a food source. They were both hungry and therefore unpredictable and extremely treacherous.
“Gideon sent me.”
Braith’s need for blood seemed to vanish the moment he heard the name.
CHAPTER 4
“What did Gideon send you for?” Braith grated from between clenched teeth.
The woman’s smile widened, she provocatively stuck a hip out as she grinned at them. “What do you think?” she taunted as she pushed her hair back to reveal her slender, unmarked neck. “I was instructed to provide you with anything you might require, and then bring you to him afterward.”