Only Vampires Cry Blood (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #3)(89)

I pulled the stake from my body, horrified by its bloody tip. I’d never been on this end of the stake before. It was terrifying, and I had a whole new respect for all of the vampires that had met their final death this way.

I couldn’t tell how bad the wound was, and I was afraid to find out. Each breath hurt, and my vision began to grow dim. I fought to keep a clear head, refusing to pass out. The two vampires were a blur before me, but with a blast of power that I felt in my core, Arys gained the upper hand and soon my attacker was nothing more than dust and bone on the floor of the club.

A voice was trying desperately to get my attention. I tried to focus on Shaz kneeling at my side, but it was difficult. I was glad to see he was ok after the hit he’d taken. I searched for Kale, relieved when I spotted him pulling himself from the rubble of the pool table. When Shaz pulled my hands away from the bleeding puncture in my chest, I was too weak to resist. The power I’d been holding fell away, causing the atmosphere around us to hum with a high-frequency squeal.

“Lex? Are you ok? You’ve got to speak to me, baby. Come on!” Shaz was shaking me lightly. Turning away, he shouted, “Arys! We need you. This isn’t looking good.”

My head swam, and my tongue was thick and dry when I tried to speak. I wanted to tell them that I’d be fine, but nothing came out. Those I cared about surrounded me. Arys was quick to respond to Shaz’ plea. He joined the white wolf at my side while Kale hovered nearby, ensuring that those left in the club went on about their business.

“Let’s get her into the back where we can take a better look.” Arys lifted me in his arms, and I yelped from the sudden shooting pain. “It’s ok, my love,” he whispered to me. “It’ll be ok.”

I faded in and out of consciousness. At some point, I realized I was lying on a bed, Harley’s bed. That had to be a bad omen.

“It didn’t hit her heart,” I heard Arys say, though he wasn’t speaking to me. “But, she’s losing a lot of blood, fast. I think I can slow it.”

The room grew deathly quiet. The ceiling above me was blurred and seemed to grow farther away. A warm sensation started within the wound itself and expanded to fill my entire body. I recognized Arys’ energy, flowing through me with a healing touch. There was a sharp pang in my chest, which was quickly replaced by a soothing sensation.

It got easier to breathe as Arys pushed his energy into me. Closing my eyes, I could feel my body knitting itself back together under his influence. I was fatigued from the blood loss, but my strength was returning. My mind was beginning to form thoughts again.

“What the f**k was that all about?” My voice cracked, but I got the words out. “Did you know that bastard?”

Arys shook his head, his expression grim. “No. I hate to say it but I’m not surprised this happened. I knew something like this was coming. It was inevitable.”

“He said things to me,” I said, struggling to sit upright. “They didn’t make any sense.

Something about refusing to be a slave to a werewolf.” I shook my head and frowned. “I don’t know. It means nothing to me.”

Kale stepped forward from his place in the doorway. “You’re unique, Alexa. And powerful, you’ll be even more powerful when you do rise as a vampire. Perhaps some see you as too powerful. A threat.”

I looked from him to Arys, finding matching expressions on their faces. Shaz sat heavily on the bed beside me and reached for my hand. He shook his head but remained silent. I was sure he was cursing the fact that I ever met Arys. Being the wonderful man that he was, he didn’t give voice to those thoughts.

I stared at the burn mark on the carpet, the spot where Harley had perished. It was never going to get easier no matter what I did. Blood bonds, gaining control and skill or wiping out a master vampire up to no good, none of it was going to save my ass.

I couldn’t help but wonder what life would be like if I’d remained a good little werewolf, minding my own business and hiding the natural power I’d been born with. I didn’t share the stream of questions running through my mind. I simply mulled them over, knowing it wasn’t about what might have been but rather, what was.

“I don’t think you should be here anymore.” Arys’ jaw was clenched, and he paced the length of the room.

“What difference does it make? I can’t sit at home watching TV every night just to avoid the occasional shithead vampire. Be realistic, Arys.”

Kale sighed and shrugged. “Girl’s got a point.”

Arys shot him a dark glare, and I ignored them both, lifting my shirt to check out my injury. They could argue all they wanted. I wasn’t going to be controlled by anyone.

The stake puncture still hurt, but it had almost closed completely. My bra and shirt were bloodstained, as was my skin. I reached a tentative finger to touch the pink scar tissue lightly. Arys was a miracle worker.

It was too quiet. I glanced up to find all three of them watching me. I was immediately self-conscious. Tugging my shirt back into place, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and got up. A wave of dizziness hit me, and I wobbled unsteadily. Shaz steadied me with a hand on my arm.

“You need to rest, Lex,” he said. “We should go home.”

“She needs blood,” Arys stated with a pointed look at Shaz.

“Fine. She can take mine.”