Thalia didn’t have time to scream before the Vampyr turned her head and sank her teeth straight into Thalia’s neck.
Pain like Thalia had never felt coursed through her body. Her veins boiled, her organs screaming as the Vampyr took long pulls of blood, drinking from her like she was the finest of wines.
Thalia jerked, trying to dislodge the Vampyr, but she held fast. Her fingers dug into Thalia’s wrists with enough force that her skin bruised.
Thalia’s heart threw itself against her chest in panic.
The Vampyr pressed into her, making low moans in the back of her throat.
The pain in Thalia’s body spread as her lifeblood flowed right into the Vampyr’s mouth.
Thalia’s eyes grew heavy, her heart stopping and stuttering.
She couldn’t stop the Vampyr. Could do nothing—
A dark form appeared before her, and Thalia caught a glimpse of golden eyes before Keegan swung a wooden board the size of his forearm. It hit the back of the Vampyr’s head hard enough that it splintered. The Vampyr’s teeth ripped out of Thalia’s neck, and she crumpled.
Thalia’s breath came out in wet pants as Keegan stared at the unconscious Vampyr at his feet.
Skidding sounded, and Thalia lifted her weak head.
Cassius rounded the corner, his chest rising as heavily as Thalia’s. His blue eyes glanced to the Vampyr at Keegan’s feet, then to Thalia’s neck. His face morphed into a mixture of horror, then downright fear.
Blood ran down the side of her throat, soaking into the dressing gown.
Thalia only made it one step before she realized her feet weren’t working, and neither were her eyes.
Darkness bled at the corners of her vision. All she saw was Cassius lunging toward her before she fainted.
Chapter Thirty-One
Thalia woke with her hands chained on either side of the bed.
She started but immediately regretted it, as fire erupted all over her body.
Thalia moaned, her head lolling into the pillows. The fabric scratched her—skin tingling with a deep-rooted burn.
“Is she secure?” She heard Cassius somewhere in the room.
A slight tug on the chains around her wrists sent another wave of pain spreading through her. “Yes.”
“Are you sure?” Cassius growled.
“Yes,” Keegan replied, his voice low.
Thalia managed to peel open her lids.
Cassius and Keegan were at the foot of the bed, the latter with his arms crossed, face set in hard determination. Cassius, on the other hand …
He couldn’t stop running his fingers through his hair, pacing as though he’d wear the carpet bare.
“Cassius?” Thalia managed to work her throat, despite the pain it caused. Her neck felt as though it hung by a thread, a throbbing pulse echoing from the bite marks.
He stopped pacing, turning to her immediately. He was at her side in an instant. “I’m here.”
Thalia tried to move her arms but cried out, pain flaring along her bones. “It hurts,” she said, tears leaking from her eyes.
Cassius didn’t touch her, but his fingers curled as if aching to. “I know. I know.”
