Whether or not it was the urgent look on her face, he seemed to understand.Back through the smoke, until she saw the entrance to the gallery.And as soon as she stepped into the doorway her eyes widened.There were statues galore, all depicting famous vampires through history.Some from the parliament session were inside, talking to one another.Forgetting Lord Latterly was with her, she rushed forward, going around displays and talking vampires, hoping this was the right place.
She saw Gareth so she hurried toward him, but as she got closer, she spotted Elgene slinking around a large statue of some naked vampire, ala Michelangelo’s David.Clutched in her hand was a knife.
“Adalyn?”he called out.
She took a step toward him and he smiled when he spotted her.It was obvious that he didn’t see Elgene.A well-placed knife wound could kill him, no matter how quickly he healed, and she wouldn’t—couldn’t—allow that.
“Elgene, stop!”
Adalyn ran as fast as she could, making a beeline to stop Elgene.The woman stepped behind Gareth and brought the knife up.Just as he turned, Elgene thrust the knife toward him, and Adalyn jumped between it and Gareth.
Pain engulfed her as the blade sank into her chest.
She stared into Elgene’s pissed off face.Everything went silent.The knife was retracted, and she vaguely saw Lord Latterly grab Elgene and yank her away.Gareth caught her and lowered her to the ground.
“Adalyn?There’s too much blood.Get a medic in here!”He cradled her.“What did you do, Adalyn?”
She smiled at him.“It’s okay, I don’t feel it.I don’t feel ...much.”
“Stay with me.”
Her thoughts spiraled and she silently doubted that the medic would arrive in time.She didn’t mind dying, as long as Gareth was safe.Time meant nothing.Hands moved her, and the smoke thinned until light forced her eyelids open.
“She’ll be okay with a transfusion of your blood.”
Gareth immediately stuck his arm out.“Do it!Now!”
“You know I need permission,” the medic said.
“Damn it, she’s dying.”
Still, the medic hesitated.“She doesn’t need a lot.Maybe only a pint, it won’t turn her, but it will make her a dhampir.”
“You have my permission,” came a new voice.
The conversation was hard to follow.Adalyn vaguely recognized that King Zadicus spoke.Then she must have blacked out because the next thing she knew, she was in her bedroom and Gareth sat in a chair next to her.Her eyes fluttered open, and he grabbed her hand.
“Adalyn?”
She turned her head, but it felt sluggish.“W-what happened?”
“You silly girl,” he said softly, brushing her hair off her forehead.“Why did you do that?”
“I can’t live without you,” she murmured sleepily.“I wasn’t going to allow her to take you away from me.”
“She probably wouldn’t have struck any of my vital organs.”
“But it might have.”She blinked, trying to stay awake.“I’m so tired.Why am I tired?Did I die?”
“Shush,” he gently admonished.“No, you’re not dead.I wouldn’t allow that to happen.Your body is adjusting to the large amount of blood I transfused for you.”
That intrigued her.“How large?”
“Enough to change you somewhat, but you got it in enough time for your wound to heal.”
“Changed how?”
“Have you ever heard of a dhampir?”
