I pressed my hands to his chest and pushed hard again. That time, I caught him off guard, and he moved, or maybe he was being nice.
“Rianne.” I stumbled out into the infirmary. “Argh.” I had to get my shit together despite the cloudiness still consuming my brain. Otherwise, Jordyn would die, and Rianne would live in a zombie state.
18
LAYLA
My legs felt like saltwater taffy as I staggered like I’d polished off a bottle of whiskey and then some. I was grateful for the wall and the lab tables and desks on either side of me.
Sam’s footsteps plodded behind me. “Layla, you’re in no shape to walk.”
I hated that he was right. I seriously felt like I had a hangover. I spotted Dr. Vieira as he looked up from his microscope before rushing toward me.
My hands fought for purchase before I grabbed hold of his arms. “What did you give me?”
“Nothing,” Dr. Vieira said.
Sam’s hot breath breezed over my neck. “I got her, Doc.” Sam gripped my hips, holding me upright.
“I want to see my sister.” My protest was weak as I tried to punch out every word with force.
Dr. Vieira stabbed a finger behind him. “There’s a chair in Rianne’s room. Take her in there.”
I leaned my back into Sam’s front. “What’s wrong with me?”
Dr. Vieira gave Sam a knowing look. “We’ve packaged your blood sample for the lab, but with the blizzard, it might be a few days. I suspect, though, that you’re reacting to Sam’s blood. I understand you bit him.”
I craned my neck up and angled it to glare at Sam. “You told him?” My cheeks flamed as if someone had pressed a hot coal to my skin. Talk about embarrassment.
“I don’t kiss and tell,” he said so sweetly. “I just told him what you did. Nothing more.”
The tension in my shoulders eased as Sam guided me toward Rianne’s room.
She was sleeping when Sam and I walked in. The room had the same setup as the one I’d been in—standard hospital equipment and furniture, a window carved into the tan-painted wall, and the necessary medical supplies scattered around.
My sister’s hands were cupped and resting on her stomach. She still wore her black jeans, black leather boots, and the black top that she’d worn to the club.
I smoothed a hand over her wavy brown hair. She reminded me so much of our mother that it was uncanny. Where she and Jordyn had Mom’s features, I took after our dad with the blue eyes and auburn hair.
Sam joined me on the other side of the bed. “She’s probably going to be quite upset when I pull her out.”
“Ya think?” My sarcasm wasn’t as strong as I would’ve liked it to be.
Dr. Vieira came in with a syringe in his hands, and I was quickly reminded of that vision that seemed to have taken a home in the forefront of my brain.
I clenched my teeth.
“This is not for you. I need to give Rianne an adrenaline boost so she’ll open her eyes. That’s the only way Sam can pull her out.”
“She doesn’t need that. Just wake her up.” I tapped on her face. “Rianne.”
“She probably won’t wake up,” Dr. Vieira said. “I gave her something to relax. Her heart was racing too hard earlier.”
I narrowed my eyes at him even though I couldn’t fault him for trying to keep her calm.
Dr. Vieira regarded me with warm brown eyes. “Layla, I take care of people—humans, vampires, and whoever needs my help. I’m a doctor first and foremost. I know strapping you to the bed wasn’t a way to build your trust. I’m sorry about that, but I felt it was necessary. It was more to protect you than me.”
He seemed sincere, and I wanted to trust him, but actions spoke louder than words.
