“Stairs aren’t a problem for me.” I mutter, then turn back to Dakota. I can’t let her out of my sight, not until Valdine knows what has gone on.
“So, why did I have to use a spell to transport me to your front door?” Valdine asks as she stops next to me. “Oh.” The sound of her voice says it all. “Did you do this?” She’s sending me another glare, but I couldn’t care less.
“No.”
“Then what happened to her? And don’t tell me she came over to discuss homework at this hour.” Valdine’s voice raises an octave. “I swear Maximilian if you’ve done something to her I’ll—” She holds up a hand as if to wave a spell at me.
“I had nothing to do with it. I just saved her life.” My gaze lands on Valdine and she immediately drops her arm. She knows when I speak the truth and I have no cause to lie, not right now at least.
Valdine steps into the room and my hands curl into fists at my sides.
I don’t want anyone, not even Valdine to be within distance of Dakota. For whatever reason I feel protective of her and I’m sure it just has everything to do with the siren blood that has been trying to entrance me from the beginning school day that she joined the church.
“The puncture marks?” She asks.
I blink, not missing a beat. “Others. Three of them. Male. Only one dared to touch her.”
“I’m guessing you sent me here to keep an eye on her?”
A grim smile encompasses my face. “You know me too well, Val.”
Valdine sighs heavily as she pulls out a nearby chair and takes a seat next to the bed. She uses two fingers to find Dakota’s pulse. Her head turns so that she’s looking at me across the room. “Her heart is strong.”
“I fed her some of my blood.” My answer is swift and straight to the point.
Valdine frowns, but glances away, and drops her hand. “You doing that might cause an issue.”
“I’m aware.” I turn away from the door, and say in a soft voice, “I’ll return before dawn. Be sure to keep an eye on her just in case.”
“Max?” I dart a glance over to Valdine. The witch is regarding me carefully. “Try not to stain your good clothes. Blood is hard to get out even with a cleaning spell.”
I give her a weak smile. “I make no promises.”
I’m out of the mansion in a flash. Stepping out into the night, I take a deep breath. Immediately I know the vampires have regrouped and are thinking of taking me out. It’s what I would have done if I were a leader.
My upper lip curls back to expose my sharp canines, as I stalk off into the trees.
“I’m going to enjoy killing every last one of you.”
Dakota
“Ms. Evergreen?” I croak out as I come to. Sitting next to my bedside is my Earth Science teacher from the private school.
Ms. Evergreen shushes me gently before dabbing a warm wet cloth across my forehead. I wince at the contact. There’s a heavy pressure building behind my eyes— a migraine. And that could only mean— Had I had another dream?
“I’m surprised you’re awake.,” she says in a soft voice. Her green eyes are filled with worry as she pulls the cloth away from my face to set it in her lap. “How do you feel?”
I push up on my forearms. The room spins and I sink back down against the pillows. “Like I’ve been hit by a bus.”
Ms. Evergreen chuckles and shakes her head. “You hit your head pretty hard.” She turns, wringing the cloth in a small bucket at her feet.
I watch the water drip a few seconds, my vision goes blurry but when I blink a couple times, my eyes seem to be able to focus.
“Lucky for you, I think it’s only a mild concussion. Unless you feel like throwing up?” Green eyes dart to me and I shake my head.
“No…Not right now. Just dizzy for the most part. And sore.”
She goes to say something when I cradle the side of my neck. That’s where the pain is radiating the most.