A Kiss of Blood (Vamp City #2)(71)

She was freaking Buffy!

But just as she was beginning to think she might really be Superwoman, she was knocked to the ground again, this time by three vampires. And though she managed to temporarily dislodge one or the other, they just kept returning, two biting either side of her neck, one sinking his fangs into her upper thigh right through her jeans.

With fear tearing through her, and the knowledge that she only had moments to get them off before they drained her dry, the power beneath her flesh ran faster, harder. But though she pushed and bucked and willed her power to shove them away, nothing happened.

Her heart began to thunder in her ears. She wasn’t helpless, dammit. She was not helpless. She had the power to save herself; she just had to find the way to call it.

Concentrate.

She imagined gathering that energy into a single, pulsing ball, then closed her eyes and focused all of her attention, feeling the power beneath her skin rush harder and swirl more violently.

One, two, three.

She imagined her energy ball exploding outward in a powerful blast.

The three vampires went flying.

For a second, relief made her boneless. She’d done it. But as she tried to rise, her body barely responded. As she struggled to sit up, the landscape spun around her. They’d taken too much of her blood. But she had to move. They’d be on her again any second, coming back to finish her off.

Battle exploded suddenly around her. She managed to stumble to her feet, but when she tried to take a step, her legs collapsed beneath her, and she went down hard. The next thing she knew, Arturo was holding her, talking to her, and the sounds of battle were gone.

“You are hurt, cara mia. They’ve torn your flesh.” She opened her eyes as he lifted her onto his lap. “I’ll take no blood, but I must bite you to initiate the healing.” As her head fell against his shoulder, he dipped his head to her ravaged neck.

She felt cool fingers around her wrist and turned to find Micah lifting her wrist to his mouth. He watched her, his white-centered eyes dark with concern. Mike. Her friend.

“Did you kill them?” she asked, but she already knew the answer.

Neither vampire replied for a moment. Then Arturo lifted his face to meet her gaze, lines of worry bracketing his eyes.

“They are no more. I tried to reach you sooner, but there were more of them than we realized. I am sorry, tesoro.”

Already she was beginning to feel a little better, a little stronger. “I’m not. I needed the practice.”

Arturo tipped his head against hers. “I would prefer you practice with those who are not trying to kill you.”

Quinn gave a soft sound of amusement. “Me, too. Though there’s no denying that the threat of death helps me focus.”

Arturo swept her into his arms and stood, then handed her to Micah while he mounted. Micah handed her back and swung onto his own horse. Arturo tucked her tight against his chest, and they headed back to Neo’s.

“Wake up, carissima.”

The soft words, the kiss to her head, burrowed deep and sweet, far more deeply than Quinn had let herself feel in a long, long time, and for a moment the emotion stung, like warm water on hands that had grown too cold.

She straightened groggily, still on the horse, pulling away slightly from Arturo’s chest. “Where are we?”

“Neo’s. Micah has gone for Zack.”

Blinking, trying to force her eyes to stay open, Quinn glanced at the familiar house looming close. “I really slept.”

“You needed to.”

A few minutes later, Neo and Micah came out through the portico, Zack following close behind.

Arturo swung down, then lifted her off the horse, setting her on her feet.

“Are you steady?” he asked, watching her carefully.

She still felt half-asleep, but no longer light-headed with blood loss. “I’m good.”

He nodded and joined the vampires as Zack loped over to her.

Her heart swelled at the sight of her brother, her rock. “How are you feeling?” she asked, as he joined her. She reached for him, feeling his forehead. Hotter than before. So damned hot. A small kernel formed just beneath her breastbone, a terror that the fever would take him suddenly, stealing his life. And she wouldn’t be there. She wouldn’t know until too late.

“I’m beat,” he admitted, but he sounded excited. “Jason’s been working my ass off.”

“That’s good.” She supposed. She stroked his hair lightly, aching from the love she’d always felt for him. Realizing what she was doing, she snatched her hand away, afraid she might accidentally hurt him with her power.

He peered at her curiously. “Did you free your magic?”

“To some extent. I could use a tutor.”

Amusement crinkled his eyes. “Like Dumbledore?”

“Or Merlin.”

Zack smiled, his grin swift and bright. “Too bad you can’t enroll at Hogwarts. You need to practice.”

“I do. Until I get it under control, I can’t stay here. I’m still throwing energy, pushing people back. And there are too many who could get hurt around here. Too many humans.”

“Where are you going, then?”

“I’m not sure. One of Neo’s other safe houses. I shouldn’t be far.”

His mouth twisted with wry acceptance. “And I suppose I still can’t go with you.”