Page 70 of Taste of Fate

I didn’t want to fail her again.

Cyan stayed with me the whole time, which was a comfort beyond what I thought I needed. Everything that had happened between us was shoved away, at least temporarily. My mind put his callous rejection in a box, stuck it in a closet, and closed the door. It was still there, but I’d deal with it later.

Right then, I was brimming with a hope that I knew was dangerous. I knew it was a possibility that Amy wouldn’t wake up. I also knew I’d be irreversibly broken if that happened.

So I was glad to not be alone. And I shouldn’t have been, but I was glad it was him.

I didn’t know how long we sat there before he started stirring.

“You should rest,” he said. “Do you want me to find some bedding so you can stay with her?”

I shook my head. “There’s no way I’ll be able to sleep.” Exhaustion rode me hard, but my brain would refuse to shut off until three days passed or Amy’s eyes opened.

“You should still get some fresh air.” Cyan scooted away from me and stood, holding out his hand. “And some food. When did you last eat?”

Stubbornly, I remained on the floor, watching Amy’s face for any signs of life. “If you see Robin, could you ask her to bring me something? I can’t leave her.”

“Tavi.” Cyan took my chin in his fingers, making me look at him. There was that warmth, that caring nature that came out when he wasn’t cold and aloof. “She won’t wake up for a while yet. Hours, if not days. Let me take care of you while we wait.”

“Why?” The word came out harsher than I intended, and I suspected that the box in which I shoved my heartache cracked open just a little bit.

Cyan didn’t hesitate. “Because the person who never thinks of herself needs someone to make her a priority.”

Taking my hands, he pulled me to my feet. I didn’t resist and it wasn’t forceful, but it was clear he was insistent. He gave a quick glance at Amy and said, “Don’t worry. I’ll bring her right back,” then marched us out of the alcove and up the cellar stairs.

The first hit of fresh, outside air was a shock to my system. I didn’t realize how stale it had been down in the cellar. The cool, night breeze held a note of smoke, and I looked around to see activity buzzing around me.

People were burning the trash and debris that had been strewn everywhere in the attack. Others chopped up the mangled furniture into smaller pieces for kindling. Another group brought buckets of water from the well, and tossed it over the worst of the bloodstained porches, doors, and walls before scrubbing the dark stains with soapy brushes.

Aside from the one standing next to me, not a single vampire was in sight.

“Where did the clan go?”

“Took the marrowers to be detoxed and questioned. They’ll be back tomorrow night with new tires for my bike.”

“Tomorrow night?” I repeated. “So you’re spending the day here?”

He flinched. “Is that okay with you? I should have checked first, I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine but I just—I dunno where it’s safe for you here during the day.”

“I can stay in the cellar, should be sunproof enough. That way, I can watch over Amy if you fall asleep.”

“Okay. Yeah, good. I want to stay with her.” And you. It felt like Cyan was the only reason I could string a coherent sentence. Somehow, without even touching me, he kept me together. If I was alone or with anyone else, I’d be an inconsolable mess right now.

“Hey, there you are.” I turned to see Robin approach me with a dented metal thermos filled with water and a sandwich wrapped in a paper towel. She shoved the items into my hands and gave me a simple instruction. “Eat.”

The sandwich was thin, a simple slice of cheese, turkey, and a quick swipe of mustard between two heels of a bread loaf. I took robotic bites and chewed as Cyan turned to Robin. “What can I do to help with the cleanup?”

She and I stared at him aghast. A vampire offering to help humans was unheard of. It completely flipped the notion we’d been taught all our lives. That we were here to serve their needs.

“You want to help?” Robin looked at me and then back at him.

“I do.” He swallowed and cleared his throat, straightening like he was addressing someone who deserved the utmost respect. “And I know your community must be confused and reeling from this attack. Blood ‘til Dawn failed to uphold our end of the Half-Century Agreement when your home was attacked. I will personally make sure we atone for that. We will find out what caused this and I vow to you it will not happen again. It would be my honor to seal this vow into my skin?—”

“You don’t have to do that,” I said, placing my hand on his forearm.

He gave me a sheepish smile, briefly covering my hand with his. Robin’s sharp eyes didn’t miss the affectionate gesture. “In any case,” he went on, “you are my blood mate’s people and I feel responsible?—”

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