Page 125 of Her Vampire, His Ruin

A flicker of unease shadows Viktor’s face, but he doesn’t press the matter. “What happened next?”

“I asked Dorian what I could do to help, and he said he needed blood, so I offered him mine. He refused at first…”

“You put your own life at risk to heal him?”

“I couldn’t see him suffer.”

“Because you care for him?”

“I don’t know how I feel,” I lie, because the truth is, I do care. I care more than I should.

“You’re a good person, Edie. Thank you for what you did. It won’t be forgotten,” he says, rising to his feet. “Rest now. I’ll return with some food shortly, and once I’m satisfied you’re well enough, I’ll take you home.”

By the time Viktor drives me home, the oncoming dawn stains the sky a deep navy, the first tendrils of sunlight streaking out from the horizon. As the car idles outside my house, I turn to him, my emotions raw and unsteady.

“I appreciate you caring for me the way you did.” I hesitate, not quite ready to leave.

“You’re welcome, but as much as I wish to stay and talk. I have to go. Dawn is breaking, and whilst this car has windows that protect me from the sun’s rays, its appearance will weaken me. I must get back.”

“I understand.” Unclipping my seatbelt, I reach for the door handle. “Will you pass on a message to Dorian for me?”

“Of course.”

“Can you tell him…” My voice trails off as I exhale a shaky breath, “That I forgive him.”

He inclines his head slightly. “I will tell him. Goodbye, Edie.”

Chapter 28

Edie

After devouring a bowl of pasta and showering until the heat leaves me dizzy, I change into clean clothes.

I try to rest, but sleep escapes me, my thoughts drifting to Dorian. Every moment I’ve spent with him replays over and over, and I fight the urge to pick up my phone and call him. Hours crawl by as I pace the kitchen restlessly, trying and failing to evict him from my thoughts. Eventually, my legs give out, and I sink onto the sofa, surrendering to exhaustion. I must have drifted off because when a thunderous pounding at the front door jolts me awake, the sky is dark once more.

“Hold on, I’m coming,” I say, forcing my heavy limbs to move.

When I reach the front door, cold dread crawls up my spine, making me freeze. I still haven’t spoken the words required to revoke Dorian’s invitation. They sit on the tip of my tongue, but I swallow them down, refusing to say them out loud. Maybe I’m foolish, but a part of me is hoping it’s Dorian standing on the other side of the door. Still, I have enough self-preservation to keep it locked.

“Who is it?”

“It’s Sybil. Let me in. We need to talk.”

Sybil? Panic stabs through me. Why the hell is she here?

“Absolutely not.”

“Then, at the very least, open the door.”

“What the hell do you want?”

“You know what I am, and you know that I can’t come in without your express permission.” A cold knot slowly twists in my gut. Whatever reason brings her here, it can’t be good. “Open the door. This is important.”

“Then say what you’ve come here to say. I can hear you well enough through the door.”

“It would draw too much attention. Please, Edie, I’m begging you.”

Her voice cracks, and the distress within it forces me into action. Not because I feel sympathy towards her, but because there’s only one reason she’d be here. Squaring my shoulders, I open the door, grateful for whatever strange magic exists to prevent her entrance.