“It took you longer than I thought,” I said.
Francis ground to a stop right in front of me, kicking loose rocks onto my shins. Even carrying Tiberius Thorn on his back and a full rucksack in his arms, the vampire wasn’t half as out of breath as I was from running through the castle.
“The wards around the academy confused the choppers’ navigation,” the vampire replied. “The helicopters landed in the wrong spot. Miles off.”
Well, that was annoying, but I couldn’t betoomad. The enchantments ensured no humans came close to this place, making it more secure. And if my parents hadn’t called in a couple of favors to their rich friends and borrowed helicopters, it would have taken even longer.
“One person is barely holding on,” I reported.
Tiberius hopped off Francis’ back, nimble for such an old man, and stretched before holding out his hand for the sack the vampire carried. “Show me to them.”
“Please, take him,” I said to a fae who had been helping me tend to the ex-prisoners.
Before Tiberius had even entered the doors to the castle, Simone screeched to a stop beside me and grinned mischievously.
A windswept Alex blinked, and then, seeing that I was right there, hurled himself off Simone’s back.
“Odie! You’re safe! Simone told me everything about that terrible place.” He crushed me against his broad chest.
“And the demon horde at the end,” she added, setting the leather bag she carried on the ground. Inside, glass tinkled. I hoped that the old-fashion doctor’s bag was full of vials of antibiotics and other meds. The patients needed all the help they could get.
“It was horrific, but we’re here now, safe,” I assured my boyfriend, who was holding me so tightly, I could barely breathe.
I squirmed a little, and he let up just enough to look me in the eye.
“There are so many people who need you,” I told him. “We tried to help. The one real healer on site is doing all she can, but—”
“Lead the way,” he insisted.
When we entered Dracula Hall, Alex drew in a breath. “All these people were there?”
“Locked up tight in the bottom of the secret government facility.” I cleared my throat, trying not to cry. “There were other things there too. Magical creatures . . . one of the vampires claims she saw an alien.”
“An alien?” Alex echoed.
“Wardwell! Get your ass over here!” Tiberius Thorn’s voice boomed over the hush of the room.
Alex’s blue eyes widened, and he leaned over to kiss me on the cheek. “I’ve been summoned. We’re triaging first. That will probably last a few hours, but then we’ll rotate nine-hour shifts. Mine starts early tomorrow, so I’ll see you later?”
“If you aren’t already off, I’ll come get you for dinner. We’re sharing a room right next to Hunter and Eva.”
Alex smiled. “Kinda like old times.”
I returned his sweet smile because I knew what he meant—that he was trying to be optimistic—even though in reality everything had changed.
If only it were like old times.
After checking to see if the healers and those assisting them needed anything, I left the hall. I hadn’t gotten far when Francis and Simone joined me.
“The helicopter pilot said he’d return as soon as he could. Apparently, your parents and a few others from the fae academy want to join us.” Francis took a drink out of a glass. His lips stained crimson, and a wash of blood coated his white teeth.
I repressed a shudder, because he couldn’t help it if what he ate was repulsive. Plus, we needed the vampires in top form. If that meant they had to drink every bit of blood from the supply their academy had on hand, then so be it.
“Okay,” I said, relieved that older adults would be arriving and taking charge. “We could use more people, although I’m not sure it’s safe.” I gestured out the front door.
Nightdwellers was located in the middle of the valley, surrounded by mountains. Tall, craggy mountains without roads leading in. It was fine for the vampires, since most of them could scale the peaks within minutes, and run through the forest to the nearest town with little effort. But we all had to leave at some point, and although Nightdwellers had been a great choice at the moment, now I sort of wish we had chosen somewhere more level.
“What if we need to make a fast exit? The school is hidden from humans, but magicals can find it—specifically, flying demons. With the number of injured and sick we have, getting out in time will be impossible.”
