Page 18 of The Shadows of Excess

I inhaled deeply, hoping for some good news. “Has Dad woken up yet?”

“No. He’s still a Sleeping Beauty.”

I blew out a frustrated breath. Not what I wanted to hear.

Tim continued. “I will let you know if anything changes. I promise. And Sawyer, keep me updated on Justice’s condition. If he wakes up, he might have vital information on what you’re dealing with. Stay safe out there.”

The call ended, leaving me staring out the window into the dimming light, the unease still heavy in my stomach. Whatever was out there, it felt like we were stepping into a game where we didn’t even know the rules.

I tucked my phone away in my purse. “Tim’s going to let Brody know what happened and have them investigate where Justice was attacked.”

“Uh-huh.” Damon folded his arms and cocked a slender eyebrow. “Since when did Justice become your boyfriend?”

I shot him a sidelong glance. “He’s not. But desperate times, right? We needed to get information somehow.” My voice trailed off as I fixed my eyes on the ER doors. Each time they opened, it sent a ripple of hope and fear through me.

CHAPTER TEN

I kept glancing at my watch, every tick intensifying the urgency I felt inside. I squirmed on the couch.

Damon got up. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to the can. Stay here.”

I rolled my eyes. I hated it when he got all parental on me.

The nurse at the front desk was busy with her paperwork, occasionally answering calls. With Damon gone, this could be my only chance.

I got off the couch, my movements casual but calculated. Every step I took was measured to avoid drawing attention. I kept looking over my shoulder at the men’s restroom to make sure he didn’t catch me. The nurse got busy with a bunch of people entering, demanding knowledge about their loved one. This was my chance.

I snuck through the double doors of the ER.

I held my head high as if I knew exactly where I was going. The whiteboard listed Justice’s room number. As I neared his room, my heart pounded against my ribs. Fear and determination fueled my steps.

The hallway was dimly lit, with only the soft hum of the hospital’s activities filling the air. I reached his room and paused at the door, taking a deep breath to steady my nerves. This was it. I slipped inside, closing the door gently behind me.

Justice lay motionless on the bed, his usual robust appearance replaced by an unsettling paleness. The stark white sheets accentuated his fragility, a striking contrast to the strength he usually exuded. An IV line was hooked up to his arm, slowly pumping blood into his veins, but there was no noticeable change in his condition.

It dawned on me that perhaps the way vampires absorbed blood was different. Maybe it had to be taken orally through their fangs to have any real effect.

With a growing sense of unease, I realized even a blood bag might not be enough for him in this state. He needed fresh blood directly from the source. I approached his bed, and my heart pounded as I cautiously rolled up my sleeve.

Gently, I placed my wrist close to his lips, steeling myself for what was to come. “Justice, you need to drink,” I urged softly, but he remained as still as a statue.

I cast a glance around the room, then rummaged through the drawers. I smiled as I found a pair of medical scissors. With a deep breath to brace myself, I pressed the sharp edge against my wrist and winced at the pain. Warm blood trickled down my arm. I held my bleeding wrist under his nose, the metallic scent filling the air. “Drink, Justice.”

Slowly, his mouth opened, revealing sharp, elongated fangs. With a sudden, instinctive movement, he latched onto my wrist. I winced as his fangs pierced my skin, feeling a strong, greedy pull as he drank. The sensation was intense, a mix of pain and relief. Dizziness washed over me, my head spinning and legs wobbling under the strain.

A sudden noise at the door made me jump, and my heart skipped a beat. I turned, ready to explain or fight, only to see Damon standing there in shock and disapproval.

“Sawyer, what the hell are you doing?” he whispered harshly, his gaze flicking to my bloody wrist.

I met his gaze, my resolve firm. “Saving him,” I replied simply, turning back to Justice. This was a risk I was willing to take. My body was already betraying me. The room started to spin, and my strength drained as quickly as my blood.

Before I could steady myself, my knees buckled. I collapsed, and the floor rushed up to meet me. But before the impact, strong arms caught me, breaking my fall. It was Damon, his face etched with worry and fear.

“Damn it, Sawyer! What were you thinking?” He gently laid me down, pressing his hand against the wound on my wrist, trying to stem the flow of blood. His gaze flickered to Justice with a murderous glare.

“If something happens to my sister, vampire…” The promise of violence dripped from every word.

“Damon, no,” I whispered.

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