Page 20 of A Song in the Night

He smiles, but if I didn’t know better, I would think the usual amusement in his gaze has been replaced by concern. “Keep your eyes open,” the vampire says in a firm tone as he stands. “I’ll be right back.”

My eyes close the moment he steps into the hallway.

Hours pass. Or maybe it’s minutes. The floorboards creak under Noah’s boots as I open my eyes yet again, groaning faintly at the effort it takes. The fog in my head clears enough for me to smell the tall glass of blood Noah has brought back with him. My gums immediately start to ache.

I sit up, despite the protesting throb in my temples, and reaching for the glass before Noah has a chance to extend his hand. I’m so desperate for the thick, dark liquid that I have no sense of embarrassment when Noah tips the glass against my lips like I’m a child.

In seconds, copper coats my tongue, and I swallow deeply. The feeling of being hit by a freight train ebbs away with each gulp, along with the pounding in my head. The world becomes clearer, and while exhaustion still clings to my muscles, I can keep my eyes open now.

Once the glass is empty, Noah takes it from me.

“Thanks,” I say, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. I’m assuming he found Ada’s stash of blood in the wine cellar downstairs, though I don’t bother asking. He sits back and stares at me without a word. “What, Noah?”

He shakes his head. “Nothing.”

“Are you satisfied I’m not going to die?”

The corner of his mouth tugs up slightly. “Not entirely. I’m fairly confident you’re the most danger-prone person I know.”

I roll my eyes and grumble, “You can go now.”

The vampire finally stands, still grinning, and my breath catches when he pulls the blanket over me. “I’ll see you at the office, baby vampire. Then we’ll talk about what happened tonight and who I need to kill.”

With that, he walks out and closes the door behind him.

I stare at the door, even after he’s gone, suddenly wide awake and questioning all that I know about the bounty hunter who just saved my life. Again.

Chapter Five

Iwake to the smell of blood.

My fangs are already extended, my nostrils flaring. I fly upright with preternatural speed and immediately spot a glass of red liquid on the nightstand.

Moving causes no pain, which means the blood I drank last night has done its work and healed most of my injuries. All that’s left from my violent encounter last night are my panic-filled memories.

The monster reaches for the glass while I wonder who left it there. The answer comes a moment later.Noah. His scent is still in the air, subtle but unmistakable. So much happened yesterday that I still need to process, but not yet. I swallow huge mouthfuls, and the copper bitterness explodes on my taste buds, washing away any lingering pain or fatigue.

After a few seconds, I set the empty glass on the nightstand and sigh at the horizon. It’s not quite nighttime. Still too early to head into the office.But not, I think,too early to take advantage of the empty shower.

Feeling stronger than I have in days, I grab some toiletries and leave my room. In the hallway, I pause to listen for any sounds from the bathrooms or kitchen, but the rest of the house seems to still be asleep. Reassured, I shuffle into the bathroom.

I spend the next ten minutes washing dried blood off my skin, shampooing my hair, and shaving every inch of myself. The hot water eases any lingering ache in my muscles and unravels my tangled thoughts. Despite everything else that occurred last night, they keep returning to Noah and the kindness he showed me.

Once I’m dressed, I pour coffee into a to-go cup and head out. It’s so easy that the streets are mostly empty. Thinking of the attack that happened only hours ago, I walk quickly, throwing glances over my shoulder at each new block. As I near Midtown, the trading posts, brothels, and dens gradually become quaint businesses and sleek stores.

My racing pulse begins to calm when I reach the office. The stairs creak beneath my feet, the sound already becoming familiar. Though I feel invigorated from the blood, I’m dreading my workout. I know full well that Noah won’t let me out of it, failed assassination attempt or not. If anything, he’ll use it as leverage to force me into a longer training session.

Then I think of his kindness again, and I have to admit that I wouldn’t mind spending more time with Noah Forrest, no matter how confusing and infuriating he can be.

A fact I wouldn’t reveal to him in a thousand years.

One of the wall sconces flickers as I pass, and I frown, making a mental note to grab a light bulb to replace it later. Distracted, I step into the office and hang my bag and coat—Noah’s coat, I think, which he either didn’t notice or decided not to comment on—on a hook near the door.

I freeze when I see the three figures standing in the room. They’re stiff, silent, as if I’ve interrupted something.

“Uncle Edward?” I breathe. It feels as if my stomach has dropped out of my body. I glance between him, Noah, and Sylvia. “What’s going on? Are you—”

“Leaving,” he cuts in gruffly, nodding to the bounty hunters before walking past me and out the door without another word. I’m too shocked to even think about flinching away.

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