Besides the mud caked across Igor’s skin, he’d appeared normal. He had no damned horns or demonic features. He had to have just been turned.
“Show me your teeth!” I bellowed to the Nightmares as Hadrian snarled beside Aspen. Blue flames pulsed across his fur and lit the inside of his maw.
My sword leveled at Damion as he bared his teeth. The rest of the Nightmares did the same. All of them were pale and wide-eyed, staring at the spot where Igor had been. Their teeth were dull. But I had to be sure.
“Cut yourselves,” I snapped, every muscle in my body tense as I leashed my panic.
We had time. Aspen was powerful. Sam said that slowed the progression.
By what? A day? Two?
FUCK!
The Nightmares all drew their blades andsliced their hands.
Red.
“Get inside and debrief with Alexei. Follow his orders!”
They left, and I glared at the bite mark on Aspen’s neck.
“Does Lucille feel anything?” Aspen asked softly.
I didn’t sense any panic from her or the guardian bond at all. “No. Did your mental block hold?”
He nodded.
Good.
“Sam’s. Now.”
We luscelered there, Hadrian right on our heels.
I about broke down Sam’s lab door with how hard I pounded, earning looks from the healers nearby.
Sam opened the door a crack.
“Who is it, Sammy?” Oliver called out.
I gave Sam a sharp shake of my head, and Aspen tilted his neck to the side.
Sam’s face didn’t pale. His eyes didn’t widen. He stared at the bite mark like it was his newest challenge.
“Just Bree. A patient is in critical condition.” He lowered his voice. “I’ll grab supplies. Meet me in the last private room.”
We went to the room, shutting the door behind us. As we waited for Sam, all I could do was pace in front of the bed.
And pace.
And pace.
I focused on the tap-tap of my boots, counting my steps and attempting to keep my anxiety low so I didn’t alert Lucille.
“Hey, look on the bright side. Now you don’t have to kill me anymore,” Aspen drawled.
Hadrian snarled at him, and I stopped long enough to glare, satisfied when Aspen winced.
It was entirely too ironic that we were at this point in our relationship.
