Page 37 of Night of the Vampire
I heard Jamal's boots run down the hall and then he was on the other side of the bed. He froze when he saw the condition Kenya was in, so much worse than just a few hours before, then fell to his knees beside the bed. "What the fuck is happening? She was no worse when I checked on her earlier."
Kenya's entire body suddenly stiffened, hard and flat as a board.
"Kenya? Kenya! Look at me!"
Her wide eyes were filled with tears when they found mine, then they rolled back in her head. But before I could order her to stay with me, to stay alive, her lips drew back in a hiss of pain and her body began to convulse on the bed. Her mouth opened on a silent scream, her fangs fully extended.
"What the fuck is happening?" Jamal shouted.
I grabbed Kenya's jaw to hold her still and bent down to her ear. "Don't you bloody leave me, do you hear me, Kenya? I won't let you. Fight!" I ordered. "Fight this!"
As suddenly as they'd began, the convulsions stopped and Kenya's eyes drifted shut in exhaustion, only the tight grip she had on my hand letting me know she was still alive.
Jamal leaned back, sitting on his heels. "I swear, man, she was not like this an hour ago."
"For Christ's sake, Jamal. I believe you," I reassured him. Jamal might have it out for me, but he loved Kenya as much as the rest of us did. We were like the pack of older brothers she'd never wanted. Only scarier.
There was a scuffing noise behind me and I belatedly remembered Lizzy's presence. When I looked over at her, she still stood much as I had left her, frozen by the door, only now her eyes were wide and she was even paler than Kenya. And not because of her lighter skin.
Her eyes skittered over to mine. "What happened to her?" she asked.
My patience worn thin, I snapped, "I told you, it's a witch's spell." Immediately, I regretted my stern tone. But I pushed the sentiment down. I had no time to babysit her feelings.
"Witches can really do stuff like this?"
"Can you help her?" Jamal asked before I could rage at her some more.
Lizzy's eyes shot over to him. A moment later, she edged over to where I sat. Releasing Kenya's hand, I stood to give her room.
She leaned in just as Kenya moaned and flashed her fangs, her body fighting the spell even in her unconscious state.
Lizzy jumped back from the bed. "What the hell?"
"She needs blood," Jamal stated.
"Don't you think I know that?" I asked him. "She can't keep anything down." Raking my fingers through my hair, I tried to think as I studied Kenya's prone form. "Lizzy, would you just try. Lay your hands on her or something. She won't hurt you. Or...or..."
"Wait. You didn't tell her?"
My head snapped up.
Anger twisted Jamal's features. "She doesn't know what we are? Seriously?" He pointed behind me.
Lizzy stood there watching, her back pressed against the sheet of metal that made up half of the wall. Her eyes were filled with horror as they bounced between the three of us.
As I took in her terrified face, the pounding of her pulse drummed loud in my ears. The flow of her blood rushing through her veins, full of adrenaline. Much like it did when I stood too close to her.
Her blood...
"Killian." My name was a warning on Jamal's lips. "No. Don't do this, man. Nothing good will come of it. I can go to the city and find someone. A homeless person. Somebody who won't be missed."
"There's no time," I muttered.
Jamal raised his voice. "Killian."
Lizzy's eyes flew to me. Her hands flew out in front of her, palms out toward me. "What are you doing?"
I'd taken a step toward her. Hesitated. I knew what I had to do, but I was having a hard time making myself do it.
