Page 141 of Plug and Claim

“Can you imagine what would have happened if I hadn’t come back to get my pencil case?” Chloe whispered fearfully to Kira.

Kira’s stomach turned. Susie would probably be dead. No one would have come into this room on a Sunday, not even the librarian. Come Monday morning… she did not want to imagine that at all.

Meanwhile, Susie had latched on to Nathaniel’s wrist and was feeding hungrily, her increasing strength obvious.

Nathaniel swayed where he crouched. Alarmed, Kira leapt forward to intervene.

“Enough, Susie,” she said, prying her friend away from Nathaniel.

“Just a little more—”

“Enough.”

Nathaniel rose to his feet unsteadily, and Kira stooped to pick up the fur coat they’d discarded and handed it to him.

“You’re white as a sheet,” she said with concern. There were deep shadows under his eyes, as if he hadn’t slept in days; he looked as if a breeze could have blown him over. Nathaniel had always presented as strong, healthy, and in top physical shape, so to see him unwell made her worry. “What do you need?”

“I’m fine,” he said. “I just need to sleep this off.” He kissed her on top of her head. “Stay with Susie. Ensure she goes to the sick bay—she feels stronger than what she is, but she needs bed rest and plenty of fluids.”

Kira hesitated. It was not the appropriate time, but… When was there an appropriate time? She leant close to his ear, which was easy with his posture stooped as he clutched at a bookshelf.

“And the…” she licked her lips. “Plug?”

“Ah.” Nathaniel gave a tiny smile, as if he’d only just remembered. “I’ll leave that up to you…”

“Easy choice,” Kira muttered.

“Do me a favour,” he continued. “See if you can convince Susie and Chloe not to tell anyone that I gave blood. It is best my father does not find out.”

“I’ll try,” Kira said doubtfully.

Even if Chloe managed to keep a secret, it wouldn’t take much for the students to put two and two together. And with Susie beaming happily at Chloe as she wriggled her feet back and forth, Kira was far more concerned about Nathaniel.

“You need to feed,” she said, steeling herself for the offer she was about to make. “Do you want to drink my b—”

“No,” Nathaniel said, shaking his head. “But thank you.”

He ducked in to kiss her cheek, and before she could stop him, he left.

Kira touched her cheek, a pang of disappointment filling her chest. She was torn between going after him and staying with Susie. It was two edges of the same sword. Should she go after the man who maybe kind of wasn’t as bad as she’d thought? Or look after her own kind?

If Susie was truly weaker than she seemed, then she should help her. After all, Susie had been there for her from the moment they’d met.

I can’t abandon her now.

Convincing Susie to stand was more difficult than she’d expected. She kept giggling, her knees buckling, as if she were delirious with euphoria. It reminded Kira of the laughing potion.

As she coaxed Susie towards the library’s exit, her mind wandered to Nathaniel. All this time, she’d thought him cruel and selfish, but today, he’d given so much of himself in order to save two people—a witch and wolf. Two people that most vampires wouldn’t have lifted a finger for. The deed had cost him, too. He’d already been weak from giving blood to Barbara, and yet, he hadn’t hesitated before helping Susie.

His compassion made her see him in a new light, and she wanted to run after him and thank him. But Susie needed her more.

With Chloe’s help, she escorted Susie to the sick bay, dodging questions from the curious students.

“I really can’t talk about it,” Chloe said, pushing her glasses onto the bridge of her nose. “Top secret.”

If Kira hadn’t been doing most of the work supporting Susie’s weight, she would have facepalmed.

Despite her best efforts, the students had deduced what ‘Prince Nathaniel’ had done and were telling their own colourful version of what had happened.