I felt the cut on my cheek. I couldn’t tell how deep, but instantly, blood began to flow. I could feel it run down my neck and under the collar of my shirt. I couldn’t react to her assault, not even gasp.
For a moment she seemed mesmerized by the stream of blood running down my face. Then her finger swiped once more, digging deeper into the cut. She pulled her hand away, bloodied nail raised in front of her face, the red trail of blood making its way from under her fingernail down her long, slender digit. A flashback to her wiping my blood off the morning star and depositing it under her collar. This time, she took her finger into her mouth and closed her eyes. I could make out her tongue swirling around her finger, her lips parting, the tip of her tongue glistening red as it rolled.
She withdrew her glistening, wet finger. “It was worth it.” She turned and once again made her way toward the hidden door. She returned her gaze to me before she’d gone too far. “Remember, I held you there. You’ll never forget my face. Never forget I had your life in my hands, that I have your blood in my body. For as long as you live. No matter how great your power becomes—however indentured it might be—you will know that I bested you!” After looking back, she returned to her path and closed the distance between herself and the door.
As she slipped through and the door closed on its own behind her, I fell forward and crashed to the ground, the initial inertia returning when I wasn’t prepared. I caught myself on my hands as my knees banged against the hardwood floor. Without rising up, I scrambled over to Schwint and shoved broken pieces of gargoyle out of the way in order to get to him.
I pushed his arm over, uncovering his face. At the motion, he let out a groan, and a wave of relief flooded over me. He was alive. Thank God!
“Schwint?” I gave his shoulder a little shake. Not too hard, as I couldn’t tell what was hurt and what wasn’t. “Schwint?”
Another groan escaped at the shake, and his eyes fluttered open, an even more startling yellow than normal.
“Damn it. I missed the show, didn’t I?”
I let out a relieved laugh. “Yeah, I guess so.”
He started to shove himself up to a seated position, but I put my hand on his shoulder. “Wait.”
“Why? What’s the matter?” He looked around as if expecting an attack. His gaze fell on the gash on my cheek. “What happened? Are you okay?”
I raised my hand to my cheek. I pulled it away to see fresh blood covering the fingertips. “Yeah, I’m fine. Hazel just wanted to make a point, I think. And pretend to be vampire.”
“She bit you?”
“Nah, only took a little taste.”
Schwint’s face twisted in disgust. “She’s always been a strange old bitch.”
He made another move to get up, but I pushed him back down. “You need to stay down.”
“Why? What’s wrong?”
“You flew through the air and smashed into a bunch of hideously carved rocks, that’s what wrong. You might be hurt. You shouldn’t move.”
He ignored my words and my hand trying to hold him down. “Nonsense, I’m fine. Besides, what are you going to do? Call an ambulance?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.”
He laughed. “You just might. And when they can’t find this magical square that you tell them about?”
I shoved on his shoulder. “Lie down and wait till we make sure you’re okay.”
He laughed again. “Considering you’re pushing me on the ground and trying to pick a fight, I must be okay.”
“I’m not trying to pick a….” He had a point. “Fine. Suit yourself.”
“Thanks for your concern, my little warlock. I appreciate it, and you’re very sweet.” He motioned for me to stand up. “Just help me up, will you?”
After I stood, I helped him get to his feet. As he straightened, he let out a sharp cry.
I reached out and grasped his shoulder in a panic. “Are you okay? What hurts?”
“I’m fine. I’m fine. Only a little tender. I’m gonna be sore tomorrow, though, that’s for sure.”
I looked him over as he dusted himself off. He seemed okay. A few cuts here and there from the falling gargoyles, but nothing too bad. “Are your wings okay?”
Without answering, his wings popped into focus, beating hard enough to cause a cool breeze to rush past my face.
