Boaz stood, his gaze dropping to Michael in his arms.
“Don’t worry, we’ll take care of him,” Alexander’s father said.
“Thank you,” Boaz said, quickly following after Drago.
The vampire didn’t slow down. He moved ahead, climbing the stairs and walking down a long hallway. Boaz had to quicken his pace just to keep up.
Drago stopped at a door and pushed it open.
“He’s in there,” he said, stepping inside.
Boaz hesitated at the doorway, then followed.
The sight of Alexander hit him the moment he entered the room. His breath caught as his eyes landed on the bed. There he was.
A white sheet covered his body from his shoulders down to his feet. His hair had been neatly combed back, framing his face. He looked like he was simply sleeping.
“What is…?”
“We don’t know,” Drago said. “His body is warm.”
Boaz moved closer to the bed and reached out, touching Alexander’s arm. It was warm beneath his fingers.
“We couldn’t bury him because we weren’t sure what was going on,” Drago continued. “So we’re waiting to see what happens. He woke up after two hundred years. Maybe he can wake up again.”
Boaz went still, the words sinking in slowly.
Was it possible? Could he still be alive?
“Did you try feeding him?” Boaz asked, smoothing his hand over Alexander’s arm.
“Yes. We feed him once a week, but there’s still no response,” Drago said.
Boaz turned to him sharply. “Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
“We told the sorcerer. He said he would inform you,” Drago replied.
“Manlius knows?” Boaz asked, incredulous. “Why the hell didn’t he tell me?”
Drago offered no answer.
“Can we get someone to draw my blood?” Boaz asked, turning his gaze back to Alexander.
“Are you going to try to save him again?” Drago asked, a hint of excitement in his voice.
“I’m going to try,” Boaz said.
“I’ll send someone up,” he said, before turning and leaving the room.
As soon as the door closed, Boaz pulled out his phone and called Manlius. His other hand stayed on Alexander’s arm, the contact almost instinctive now, like he couldn’t bring himself to stop.
“Boaz?” Manlius answered after three rings.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Boaz asked immediately. “You knew he might be alive, but you didn’t tell me.”
“Because I was afraid you’d do exactly this,” Manlius said. “You can’t wait for him another two hundred years, Boaz. We don’t know what’s happening to him. He should be dead.”
“But he’s not,” Boaz said, looking down at Alexander. “You said he offered his life so you could get your powers back. Did something go wrong? Is that why he’s still here?”