Raiden is immediately in front of me, crouching down, his hands firm on my shoulders. “Everly, are you–”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I manage, the words coming out through clenched teeth, each one a struggle against the pain radiating through my jaw.
He blinks, looking genuinely alarmed. “What?”
“That we need to feed,” I grind out, half-accusation, half-desperation.
A flicker of realization dawns in his eyes, widening them as panic sets in. “Shit,” he mutters, his voice low, tense. "You’re getting your fangs?”
“I think so,” I reply hoarsely.
My head spins, making his hands tighten on my shoulders, steadying me. “Listen, you’re going to be okay. Just focus on breathing.”
I try, but the pain refuses to subside, relentless and consuming. I grit my teeth, but that only makes it worse, like pressing into raw nerves.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
He looks down into my eyes, guilt shadowing his features. “I thought . . . I thought you’d have more time. That maybe you didn’t need to feed.”
I let out a pained laugh, half a whimper. “Well, so much for that.”
Raiden stands and scoops me into his arms. “Why are you soaking wet?”
“I went for a swim.”
Raiden’s attention moves from me to Fenris.
“I found her in the lake.” Fenris shrugs.
Raiden lets out a weary sigh as he carries me through the castle, each step sending a jarring pain through my head. Finally, we enter my chambers and Zaria, Mia, and Scarlett are there waiting.
Scarlett rushes over. “Is she okay?”
Suddenly, Nix is in my face. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Fangs,” I croak.
Nix grins and flies down to my face, trying to lift my lip. I push her away and she laughs. “You’re getting your fangs? This is great!”
“Doesn’t feel that great,” I grumble.
Raiden places me down on the daybed and opens the balcony doors, allowing a soothing breeze to come in. “It’s not great!” he fumes. “It means she will need to feed.”
Mia takes a seat next to me, grabbing my hand in hers. “What does that mean?”
Zaria settles beside me, her cool hands lifting my face to meet her gaze, her eyes full of concern. "Are you okay? I can get some tonic for the pain if you need it."
Uncertain, I give a slight shrug. The pain has lessened, but something else has replaced it—a strange, tingling awareness in my mouth. Almost instinctively, I run my tongue along my teeth, only to freeze as I graze the sharp points of my canines. Startled, my hand lifts to touch one, and I flinch as my thumb comes away with a small bead of blood.
“Oh, wow,” Scarlett murmurs, crouching in front of me, her eyes wide with fascination. “Show me.”
Feeling suddenly self-conscious, I lift my lip, revealing the newly formed fangs. Both Scarlett and Mia lean in closer, their eyes widening.
“You’re a vampire!” Mia giggles, a hint of awe in her voice.
“She is not!” Raiden growls, his tone rough enough to make us all go silent, staring at him in surprise. He’s pacing now, one hand running over his head as if he’s trying to think through a problem he can’t quite solve.
“What’s wrong with the big guy?” Scarlett mutters as she stands and crosses her arms.
