Page 12 of Blood Bond

When she lifts her head, her eyes are red around the rims, her face puffy.

Seth maintains his silence, understanding there are moments when words need not be spoken, when the unspoken truths loom heavily in the air. He grants her the gift of silence, recognising her pain.

“I found her in the shadows.” Her words tumble over each other in a desperate attempt to convey the urgency of the situation. Panic creeps into her voice, causing her speech to become rapid and clipped. “Those thirsty, those fucking—They were circling her like fucking vultures. They were waiting for her to die. Just waiting. Like they’d feed the moment her eyes closed and I … Fucking pieces of shit.” She wipes her eyes, her trembling hands revealing the depths of her distress. “I got her inside, and I—we … I put her in your private box. I know you use it for … for …” The sob takes her. “I didn’t know what else to do.”

Killian steps in front of the door we just came through, standing protectively. Naneve moves closer to Tasha, but her gaze is locked into the box, her blade in her hand. I move to go more into the room. Not sure where I’m supposed to stand, but by the door with Killian doesn’t seem right.

Seth puts his hand up. “Stop,” he says to me.

I freeze mid-step. A game of musical statues when the disc jockey turns the music off.

“Go back to the door.”

I frown but do what he says.

The room is silent as I walk through it. It's not a large room, similar to the one I stayed in when Seth first brought me here. A spacious hotel room—executive suites. I'm not sure why these thoughts occupy my mind. Perhaps it's deflection.

"Now stop. Walk back to Tasha," Seth instructs calmly and evenly. "Walk slowly."

Tasha’s gaze flits between me and Seth. Her face is pale—I notice that now. Dark streaks mar her cheeks, and her lips are chapped. I wonder how long she's been holed up in this place with a crazed vampire. Brave, or maybe a little foolish? If Layla had escaped, Tasha wouldn't have stood a chance.

I walk slowly, glancing between Seth and Killian, hoping for answers, but even Killian is frowning.

"Stop and walk to Naneve."

I want to ask him why, but I comply, even if it feels foolish.

Naneve's eyes widen with uncertainty as we watch Layla frantically claw at the glass walls of her box. "She's following her."

Layla presses her fingers into one of the tiny vents along the side, trying to pry it open. Her white teeth are bared in an animalistic snarl, and her gaze burns through me.

Seth steps forward and opens a panel on the side of the glass. "Layla, my love," he says, softly.

She spares him only a glance before turning back to snarl at me.

"She understands," I mutter, taking a step towards Tasha.

Seth nods. "Yes. Killian, go to the next level—room 209—and bring back the male."

"The room with the couple?"

Seth nods again. "Yes. He should still be warm. I don't think he's been dead too long. Bring him up."

When we searched the place, each room, like 209, told tales of tragedy and death, silent witnesses to the grim reality of what Seth’s brother was capable of. The rooms, once vibrant with energy, now echo with a haunting stillness.

Each room tells the same story—an abrupt end to life. Some harbour couples, frozen in their final embrace, while others contain solitary figures, their lonely demise speaking volumes of their last moments.

As we moved through the place, the presence of death was overwhelming, lingering thick and oppressive in the air. I don't envy Killian having to return to that. Donovan has caused so much death.

I furrow my brow, a knot of worry forming in my stomach. "Won't that kill her?" My eyes shift to Layla, her frenzied state still etched in my memory.

Seth’s gaze remains fixed on her, his expression pensive. "No," he replies. "It should calm her."

I can't help but wonder about Layla's fate as I watch her desperate attempts to break through the glass.

"Do you think she can come back from this?" Naneve asks.

"Perhaps. Her eyes aren't completely glazed over yet. Maybe true death hasn't entirely taken her, leaving only basic instincts to animate her body. We will try this, and if it doesn't work, then I will end her."

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