A Kiss of Blood (Vamp City #2)(87)

Her gaze flew to Kassius, who stood by the window.

“Arturo, returns,” he told her. But as she started toward the door, he held up a warning hand. “Wait, Quinn. It’s possible he’s not alone. I can’t tell.”

But moments later, Arturo strode into the house. He acknowledged his friend with a nod even as he strode directly to her, swept her into his arms, and kissed her hard.

She kissed him back, feeling the tension in his hard body slowly ease. Finally, he pulled back, and she watched him with concern.

“What was that for?”

“I was in need of your sunshine, cara.” He curved his arm around her waist and pulled her hard against his side as he turned to Kassius. “You understated it, Kas. ‘Off the rails’ does not begin to describe what I saw this morning. He is completely losing it.”

Kassius’s eyes were grave. “He gets worse by the day. What’s his plan?”

“He is not concerned with Quinn’s renewing the magic today. After the tale I spun, he’s convinced she can renew it at any time.”

Quinn watched him, curious. “What did you tell him?”

“That I watched you escape back into the real world through a sunbeam. He’s ordered Zack found as a lure. I told him you were looking for him, Kas.” Arturo searched her face. “Any more uncontrolled blasts?”

“No. I’ve been practicing, and I’m getting better.”

“Good.” He placed a soft, lingering kiss on her temple, then pulled away. “It is time to join the others.”

The ride to Neo’s was quick and uneventful. Quinn found Zack at the dining table sitting across from Jason, a massive half-eaten ham and turkey sandwich in his hands. His face was flushed, almost beet red, his hair damp with perspiration. His eyes, when he looked up at her, were sharp and bright, if disturbingly silver.

“Hi, sis. How’s the training going?”

“Surprisingly well.”

“Want to give me a demonstration?”

She gave him a wry smile. “Since my forte seems to be throwing and destroying things, I don’t think Neo would appreciate it. At least not in the house.” She sat beside him, resisting the urge to feel his forehead again. She could tell just by looking that his skin was burning. “How’s your training going?” she asked, keeping her voice even with effort.

“Good,” he mumbled around a bite of sandwich, then swallowed. He grinned as if he felt perfectly fine. Clearly, he did. “I’m getting stronger. Faster than I should.”

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Jason said. “Maybe it’s the magic fever, I don’t know, but he’s doubling his reps every time he lifts the weights.”

Zack released his hold on one end of his sandwich to lift his fist and make a muscle. And, for the first time in his life, he had one. More than one. He wasn’t bulked out by any means, but her brother’s scrawny arms were no longer scrawny, after only two days of weight training.

“That’s amazing.” But she couldn’t quite mask the worry in her tone. Building muscle that quickly wasn’t natural. Neither was burning up with a fever that should have already killed him.

“Can I get you something, Quinn?”

Quinn shook her head at the sound of Mukdalla’s voice. “No thank you, I’ll get it myself.” She found the sideboard set out with deli meats and cheeses, and made herself a quick and simple ham sandwich on white bread with a light smear of mustard.

She joined her brother but had taken only a couple of bites when Zack jumped up from the table. He gripped her shoulder. “Tell me before you leave for the Focus, Quinn. I’ll be in the gym, Jason, whenever you’re ready. I want to try some more fighting moves.” He strode out of the room, a confidence in his step that Quinn had never seen.

The ex-Marine met Quinn’s gaze. “He’s going to wear me out.”

Amanda, coffee mug in her hand, joined them, and Quinn turned to her. “What’s going on with Zack?”

She frowned. “Honestly, I’m not sure. His body is changing much faster than should be possible. And his temperature continues to rise.”

“What’s it, now?”

Amanda hesitated. “High.”

“How high?”

“Almost 112.”

Quinn gaped at her. “He should be dead.”

“Yes.” Amanda covered Quinn’s hand with hers. “You need to be prepared.”

A searing pain spread through Quinn’s chest at the certain knowledge that at any moment, Zack’s body could fail beneath the unnatural heat. Any moment, he could die.

“He’ll be okay,” she said, as much for her own benefit as the doctor’s. “Once I renew Vamp City, he’ll be fine.” She had to believe that because the alternative was unthinkable.

Amanda nodded.

“Jason!” Zack called. “You coming?”

“I’m coming!” Jason smiled ruefully though his eyes remained heavy with concern. “I don’t think I’ve ever had quite such an enthusiastic recruit. He’s a fine young man, Quinn.”

As Jason went to join Zack, Amanda cradled her coffee mug and peered at Quinn. “Are you okay?”

Quinn nodded though the real answer was no, and they both knew it. She wouldn’t be okay until Zack was healthy again.