Page 174 of Plug and Drain

Sarah followed her gaze to the black door. “I think he’s feeding.”

Susie frowned. “He’s what?”

“Feeding. Hasn’t he told you about the volunteers?”

Susie shook her head.

“I figured, since you were sharing his bed, you’d know—”

Susie froze and glanced down at the covers. It was Arken’s bed. Of course, it was Arken’s bed, but he hadn’t slept in it since she’d been here, as far as she could tell. Or had he?

“What volunteers?” she asked, hating how she stammered.

“Arken made an announcement this morning seeking any willing students—preferably wolves—willing to give him blood to go to his office at dinner time. There was quite the turn out tonight, and I think there’ll be more. Everyone’s on about it—”

“Everyone?”

“The whole school. Even some of Poplarin’s members are considering it. They think it could help them politically after graduation if they volunteer at least once. That Arken might put in a good word for them, maybe a letter of recommendation. Might just be an excuse, though. I know some of the females fancy him.”

Susie could hardly concentrate on what Sarah was saying.

Preferably wolves.

Arken was feeding on other females who were not her. It hurt, more than it should have.

“Can you help me to the bathroom?” she interrupted Sarah, trying to ignore the jealousy boiling in her chest.

“Of course. Sorry. I didn’t mean to…I thought you knew.”

Susie forced a smile to her face and lied, “I did. And it’s fine. There’s nothing happening between me and Arken. We’re not in a relationship.”

“Oh. That’s a shame.”

Sarah helped her to the bathroom. The journey was far less comfortable than it had been with Arken helping her, but Susie didn’t complain. Ultimately, this was far less awkward, and it helped draw a much-needed line between her and the headmaster.

The days passed with Sarah visiting frequently during the day to assist her in anything she needed. At Arken’s insistence, Sarah spent the nights curled up beside her on the large bed.

At first, it wasn’t clear where Arken was sleeping, if not in his bed. Susie tried not to think about it. It was none of her business.

Arken was sometimes present, working at his desk. He was not in her direct line of sight, not unless she lay on her left-hand side, a position that proved to be a very bad idea when she tried it. It sparked a new type of pain, so she kept to her back as much as possible.

Sarah had helped her experiment with a variety of positions, including propping up her hips, legs and back with pillows.

Susie was beyond grateful for Sarah’s presence. She wasn’t sure how she would have managed without her. Even reaching for a glass of water required sitting up.

One night, Susie lay on her back, her head craned towards the window where a sliver between the curtains revealed a starry sky.

Sarah opened her eyes blearily, her voice low. “You still awake?”

“Yes. Is everything all right?”

“I had the strangest dream.”

Sarah was always telling her about her dreams, usually in the form of long-winded stories that never seemed to have a conclusion.

Susie smiled. “What did you dream about?”

Sarah murmured contentedly and buried her face in her pillow. Or was it Arken’s pillow? She wondered what side he slept on. “I dreamt that we were sleeping in Arken’s bed.”