“Yes. With Vladislav and Svetlana center stage.” Zander’s expression was arctic. “No one harms someone under my protection without facing consequences a hundred times worse.”
Emmy had heard whispered stories about what Kendra is capable of — Zander’sSecundo, hischien méchant, his most feared enforcer. The Exsequor who made ancient vampires whisper her name with dread.
Zander stood, moved to the bed, and sat on the edge beside her. His cool hand touched her forehead, checking her temperature. “But first, you need to heal. Can you do that for me, brave little dragon?”
The endearment made her chest tight. “Yeah. I’m working on it as fast as I can.”
“Good.” His hand lingered a moment longer, then withdrew. “Spence will continue caring for you most of the time, but you’ll have me, I’m afraid, while he sleeps. The nurse says another day or two and you’ll be past the worst. You’re strong, Emerald, and you’re a fighter.”
“How are the rest?” Emmy asked.
“The cobra is still critical, but stabilizing. The others will be fine. Like you, it’s just a matter of working the poison out of your system at this point.”
Zander looked to Spence and back to her. “Everyone will survive, and you’ll all get … I believe it’s called hazard pay, these days.”
Emmy nodded, exhaustion pulling at her again. “Thank you. For finding them. For…” She gestured vaguely at the room, at Spence, at everything.
“You’re mine to protect,” Zander said simply. “I failed you when they poisoned you. I won’t fail you again.”
He stood and looked down at her. “Sleep, Emerald. Either Spence or I will be here when you wake.”
Emmy’s eyes were already closing, Spence’s warmth at her back, Zander’s presence a solid anchor in the room. Safe. Protected.
She drifted off thinking about justice, about consequences, and wondering what would happen after the public punishment was over, when she was well and the danger had passed.
Chapter 33
Twenty-four hours later, Emmy woke slowly. No urgent need to sprint to the bathroom, no nausea clawing up her gut. Just the gentle pull of consciousness, the soft glow of light coming in under the door, and another soft glow coming from behind her.
She rolled over and found Zander reclined on a wedge beside her, tablet in hand, reading something that made his brow furrow in concentration. He’d changed into soft charcoal joggers and a black thermal henley, the kind of casual she’d never seen him wear before.
“Hey,” she said, her voice still rough, but stronger than the day before.
His gaze lifted immediately, those blue eyes finding hers. “Hey yourself. How do you feel?”
Emmy breathed in and scanned her body. Fever still there, but a gentle boil rather than a raging one. Headachemostly gone, just a faint pressure behind her eyes. Body aches significantly better but still pretty bad.
“Better. Lots better.” She sat up carefully, testing her strength, and was pleased when the room didn’t spin. “Where’s Spence?”
“Sleeping. I sent him to the sofa about four hours ago.” Zander set the tablet aside. “You’ve been asleep nearly six hours. Longest stretch yet.”
“Really?” Emmy blinked. Six hours without a bathroom trip was phenomenal. “Wow.”
“Your temperature is down nearly three degrees. Still elevated, but improving.” Zander shifted on the wedge, angling toward her. “Are you hungry? The nurse said you might be ready for toast with your broth.”
Emmy’s stomach didn’t revolt at the idea, which was progress. “Yeah. Toast sounds … actually good.”
He was quiet a second before saying, “I telepathed the kitchen. They’ll send some down with fresh broth. Do you want to use the bathroom while we wait?”
“Yeah, but I’m good. I can walk by myself now.”
“Yes, Spence has been giving me regular updates. I’ll be here if you need me, but he assures me you’re stable for the short distance.”
She climbed out of bed, grabbed her phone, testing her legs, and was gratified when they held steady. The walk to the bathroom felt longer than eight feet, but she made it without assistance and was happy to pee behind a closed door.
She texted Felix to let him know she was awake and alive. He was worried about her, but didn’t want to risk texting her when she was asleep, so she’d agreed to let him know when she was up.
Her shower bin was on the vanity, so she brushed her teeth, but she had to finger-comb her hair into a ponytail, since her brush wasn’t in the bin.
