Which I had accepted I wasn’t going to do.
But Kip…my sweet, amazing Kip…when I thought it was too late, he saved me.
I don’t know how he hung on so long. Looking at the wound on the back of his head, it’s obvious that it would be fatal to a normal human. It should’ve taken him down immediately, just like Tyson smashing his face in did to him. But Kip fought until the last second to save my life.
And now it’s time I do the same for him.
The wound on my neck has healed over, the blood becoming tackyas it dries, thanks to Kip’s blood. If his blood can heal me, I’m sure mine can heal him too.
With Kip’s head on my lap, I gently open his jaw, and luckily see that his fangs are out. I press my palm to the tip of one of his fangs, dragging it across to open a gash on my hand. Turning my palm over, I press it against his lips, letting the open wound drip blood down into Kip’s mouth. I don’t know how much he’s going to need in order to heal, but I’ll give him all I have if that’s what it takes.
Look at us, a couple of self-sacrificing fools, and it’s all in the name of love.
My palm doesn’t bleed for long. This time, I take in a harsh breath, bracing myself as I open my wrist on his fang to let more pool into his mouth.
“Come on, Kip.” I plead, my eyes darting from him to Tyson. “I don’t know how much longer Tyson is going to be out. You have to wake up before him, otherwise we’re both screwed.”
“You’re kind of screwed anyway, don’t you think?” A female voices startles me, making me nick my skin on Kip’s fangs again.
“What the hell?!” I hiss, keeping my arm pressed against Kip’s mouth, even though I’m starting to feel a little woozy from the blood loss.
A shudder wracks through Kip’s body and he grunts. My eyes dart from the cloaked woman back down to Kip in time to see his jaw unhinge, and his fangs sinking into my skin.
I wince, but don’t pull away. “Yes, baby. Take all you need.” I’m getting tired, so I let my body fall sideways so I can lay down while Kip’s hands come up to grip my arm, holding it to his mouth.
“Awww, look at that. So sweet. Young love.” The woman coos, bringing my attention back to her. When Kip woke up, I forgot she was here. I’m having trouble keeping my thoughts straight.
Kip’s eyes flash open and land on me, before he turns his gaze to the newcomer.
His hands fall away from my arm, and his fangs pull free from my skin.
“Lisette?” he croaks. “Took you long enough.”
Lisette? This is Lisette? Oh, thank fuck. She’s here. She can take care of Tyson. We’re saved.
Kip sits up, pulling me into his lap. “Here, baby.” He opens his wrist, letting me heal from him again.
Looks like today is the day for exchanging blood.
“Lisette, it was Tyson all along.” Kip looks up at her. “He’s been behind this whole thing. Him and someone from the council. He was mad that I fell in love with Charlie?—”
My eyes go wide as I suck in a sharp breath, pulling away from Kip’s arm.
He smiles softly down at me. “Keep drinking. And yes, you heard me right. I love you.” With his free hand, he gently strokes my hair, tucking a loose strand behind my ear. His gaze meets Lisette again, and he continues talking, not giving me a chance to respond. “So he was going to turn me into a thrall or whatever, with help from the council. He needs to be locked up, or dealt with, or something, Lisette. And you need to hurry, he’s bound to wake up any minute.”
Lisette’s arms are crossed as she listens to Kip. I can’t see her face, because she’s keeping it hidden behind her cloak’s hood, but her body language doesn’t seem surprised.
Why isn’t she surprised?
The room fades into silence. Kip stares with hopeful eyes at Lisette, but Lisette doesn’t respond. The silence stretches awkwardly long, and I feel Kip starts to wiggle in his spot, uncomfortable.
Kip clears his throat. “Uhh, Lisette? This is kinda one of those situations where time is of the essence…”
“Kip…” I whisper. “I don’t have a good feeling about this.”
Lisette sighs. “You really are dumb, aren’t you Christopher? What Tyson and Charlie see in you, I’ll never know.”
“Well, that’s fucking rude.” Kip mutters.
