“We need to get her blood, now!”
Stefan searched her face. She was extremely pale, her lips nearly white, but her heart was beating soundly, and she was breathing regularly. He closed his eyes and used his power to push himself into her body, to feel out the amount of damage that they had inflicted upon her. It wasn’t something he would be able to do if shewasawake, and fought him.But now that she was unconscious, and vulnerable, he was able to drift into her, and sense how much they had taken. He sighed in relief as he realized that it hadn’t been much, that they hadn’t even gotten the same amount of blood as one of her bags. He pulled slowly out of her, lightly stroking her velvety cheek as he gazed at her unconscious form.
“They didn’t take much,” he said quietly.
“They must have! Look at her!”
“No, they didn’t,” Stefan grated.
“Then why is she out like a light!?” Jackshoutedhis fear evident in his slightly shrill voice.
Stefan grit his teeth and closed his eyes against the raging anger, fear for her, and self loathing that was tearing him to shreds. “Because of the pain.”
“What?”Jack askedin confusion.
Stefan’s eyes flew open. Jack’s eyes widened in surprise,his mouth parted slightly, and he took a quick step back. “The pain!” he hissed. “When you’re a human, and your blood is drained unwillingly, it hurts like hell. Trust me, I know. When you’re a vampire and it happens, it feels as if the fires of hell are searing through your body. It’s why she couldn’t fight them off.”
“Oh,” Jack said softly, his eyes slowly scanning Stefan before returning to Isabelle. “Will she be all right?” he asked worriedly.
Jacktook a step toward her, his hand reachedout to touch her. Stefan immediately stepped back, anger flaring through him as a soft hiss escaped. Shockover his reactioncoursed through him, but his body remained tense, and rigid, with animosity. He didn’t know why he had done it, he knew that Jack would never hurt Isabelle, but the idea of him touching her had instantly brought the demon outof him.
He knew he would lose control if Jack insisted upon touching her, the thought alone made him shake with fury. Jack’s eyes came back to his, but to Stefan’s surprise, he didn’t argue with him, and he didn’t try to get near her again. His eyes were filled witha sad acceptance as he took a wary step backandhis hand droppedlimply to his side.
Stefan’s eyes narrowed on Jackas he clung tighter to her. She was sovulnerable, so frail and fragile that it was tearingat his insides. He eyed Jack warily, unable to understand why Jack, a man that had helped raiseIsabelle, had just backed away from him without a protest.Stefan didn’t understand whyJackdidnot insist upon taking over the care of her, or to have Stefan release her.Stefan’s emotions were becoming more tumultuous and disordered by the second. He was losing complete control of himself, because of her.
“Will she be okay?” Jack asked again.
“Yes,” he grated. “She just needs some rest, and some blood.”
Headlights swung into the alley as Ian came racing toward them. He pulled up with a screech of brakes and hopped out of the carandracedtoward them. “Jack, you drive! Give her to me!”
He stopped before Stefan, his arms out to take Isabelle. Stefan’s nostrils flared as his jaw clenched, and his rage began to build again. “No,” he spat.
Ian blinked in surprise, and then anger flooded his face. “Give my sister to me!” he demanded.
He reached out to grab her. Stefan hissed angrily, turning so that his body was between Ian and Isabelle. Ian’s eyes flashedfiercelyas his nostrils flared and his jaw locked. Jack jumped forward, grabbing hold of Ian’s arm and pulling him roughly back. “Get in the car Ian!” he ordered.
Ian rounded angrily on him, his hands clenched at his sides. “I will not! Not without...”
“Now! Get in the car now!” Jack bellowedat him.
Ian’s eyes widened in surprise as Jack shoved him toward the passenger side of the car. “Jack...”
“Ian, if you want to live, you will get in this car!” Jack hissed.
Ian stared at him in shock as Jack flung the door open and shoved him inside. Stefan stood silently, his anger slowly ebbing as astonishment began to replace it. What the hell was going on with him, with Jack? Stefan stood, unable to move as confusion rolled through him. “Let’s go!” Jack yelled.
Stefan shook off his confusion, now was not the time for it. He moved swiftly forward, sliding into the back seat, and closing the door. He cradled Isabelle on his lap, unable to let her go as Jack tore out of the alleyway.
CHAPTER 13
Stefan carried Isabelle swiftly into the house behind Jack. David, Doug, Mike, and Ethan looked up from the baseball game they were watching, shock registeredon all of their faces seconds before they leapt to their feet. “What the hell happened?” Mike demanded.
“She was attacked,” Jack answered. “Put her on the couch Stefan, I’ll get some blood.”
“Shit!”
They came rushing around the couches toward him. Stefan glowered at them, pulling her tighter against his chest as his eyes flashed dangerously. If he had to, he would kill everyone in this room to keep them from touching her. David, Doug, and Mike skidded to a halt behind the couch, their mouth’s gaping open, while Ethan kept on coming. “Get away from her!”Stefanspat as Ethan stopped before him.
