With a growl, Alexander spun toward the cave wall and slashed his claws across it, rending four deep grooves in the stone as if it were nothing. Sparks spat outward where his claws struck, and faint wisps of smoke curled from the jagged cuts.
Alexander froze.
Slowly, he lifted his hand away from the wall, staring at the damage in stunned disbelief.
A sharp gasp shattered the silence.
Alexander jerked toward the sound.
Blade stood several feet away. His hands were pressed over his mouth, his eyes wide with horror as he stared at the claw marks gouged into the stone.
“Blade…” Alexander took a cautious step toward him.
Blade immediately shook his head, backing away another half-step. “You’re still sick,” he said, his voice trembling.
“No. I'm fine,” Alexander said softly. “Come here. I missed you so much.”
Blade shook his head.
“Come on. Don’t break my heart,” Alexander said, his voice teasing. “I promise, I’m fine.” He gestured toward the marks carved deep into the cave wall with a careless shrug. “This is nothing… I could do that even before the war.” The lie cameeasily, even though he was freaked out by what he’d done. “I’m a born vampire, remember? We have many talents.”
Blade hesitated. Then, he took a tentative step forward, his bright green eyes wide as they scanned Alexander from head to toe. He studied him carefully, as if expecting something monstrous to reveal itself at any moment. “Your skin looks fine,” Blade murmured, leaning closer. “I don’t see the black veins.”
“I told you,” Alexander said gently. “I’m fine.”
He forced himself to smile, trying to look relaxed.
As always, Blade looked impossibly put together. He wore a crisp white shirt that draped neatly over his slender frame, tucked into sleek black slacks. Polished black boots completed the look.
His long black hair was slicked back and tied neatly into a ponytail, though one loose strand fell forward, framing his delicate face.
He looked poised, yet fragile in a way that pulled on Alexander’s protective instincts.
Blade moved closer, his gaze still roaming over Alexander as though checking every inch of him.
When he was finally within reach, Alexander grabbed him and pulled him into a tight hug.
“Hey, kid,” he murmured into his hair. The grief he had been holding back since he woke surged forward with vengeance, squeezing painfully around his heart. “I failed,” Alexander said, his voice rough. “I lost him. Drago is gone.”
Blade stiffened in his arms.
“I know,” Blade whispered. “It’s all my fault. I should have seen it. I should have—”
“No.” Alexander pulled back slightly, gripping Blade’s shoulders. “It’s not your fault.”
Blade looked unconvinced.
“It’s mine,” Alexander continued quietly. “He was trying to save me… and he…” The words refused to come. Alexander sniffed, blinking hard as tears burned at the back of his eyes.
He was dangerously close to losing it. He shoved the grief down, refusing to give in. He had to be strong for all of them.
“I guess I should wake up Mom and Dad, and tell them what happened,” Alexander said as he pulled away from the hug. He ran a hand through his hair, already dreading the conversation. “I don’t know how I’m going to do that. No parent should wake up to bad news.”
Blade sniffed softly, lowering his head.
Alexander reached forward and gently lifted Blade’s chin with a finger. “Hey,” he said softly. “Don’t blame yourself.” Blade’s wet eyes met his. “We went there knowing what might happen.”
“I know,” he said with a wobbly smile.