Page 60 of The Shadow of the Count
Peter put a hand to his throat.
“I hope when we get the count, that will stop, my friend.” Clark patted his arm. “We’ll leave you to read, but no sneaking out. Promise me.”
Crossing his heart, he smiled a little.No, he had made a deal with them, and he would stick to it.
“Thank you.” That was Jeb. “That’s a load off my mind. Your man loves you. You can’t run off without seeing him.”
No. No, when Jeb put it that way, he remembered he’d promised never to leave again without discussing it. Though without his voice, how was he meant to do that? He reached out to press a hand to Jeb and Clark’s arms in turn.I’ll stay, he mouthed.
“Thank you. We’ll see you in the morning, friend.” Clark patted his arm.
He nodded, waving as they left. Just as he settled at the desk in his room, another knock sounded.
Peter frowned, rising again. This time it was Yvgeny.
“Are you ready, my friend?”
No. Now he had promised to wait.
He grabbed his pad and scribbled out.We leave tomorrow at 10 with Jeb and Clark. I have to tell Don goodbye.
“I see. Well, then, I shall be ready when you are.” Yvgeny put a hand to his good arm. “I’m so sorry this has all happened.”
Peter nodded a bit. Yes. Yes, he was, too, but he’d learned well that it didn’t matter. This was his challenge, his calling, and he had to answer the charge.
Yvgeny sighed. “Try to rest. I know sleep is elusive, but you will require your strength.”
He gave Yvgeny an impulsive hug, grateful for his solid, practical presence. In his own way, Yvgeny was as much a cowboy as Jeb. Just more… European.
Yvgeny held him, then eased him into the sheets. “I will stay. Tonight is not one to be alone.”
Then his friend pulled up a chair, settling in it as if he weighed a ton.
He tried to shake his head, but he just couldn’t bring himself to tell Yvgeny to leave. They could read together, perhaps. Peter fought the heaviness of his eyelids. Really, it was ridiculous. How tired he was… His arm throbbed, and Peter sighed, a long, drawn-out exhalation.
Then he was asleep.
Twenty
The hospital ward was starting to bustle, and Donnie wondered if he’d missed his chance to escape. If he was going to go, he needed to do it now.
Too bad every movement felt like he was swimming in frozen water.
He must move though. He had to escape and make this…right.
Somehow this was his fault, even though he wasn’t sure how, exactly.
There was something about him that called to this…thing. This count who wasn’t human. Maybe he did look like a long-lost dead lover. However it had happened, Donnie knew he must go and make it right.
Now.
He pulled on his shirt, wrinkling his nose at the bloodstain on the collar, which was immense. Why had no one brought him a clean shirt? Really, his friends were falling down on the job.
Shadows grew beyond the curtains, and his heart began to race and rattle against his rib bones. He drew in a deep breath to call for help, to call out in warning, and then they were tugged back, revealing Jeb, Clark, and his beloved Peter.
Who looked shocked.
“Well, now, Donnie. What are you doing out of bed?” Jeb drawled out the question, one pale eyebrow winging up.
