I decided it wasn’t in his best interest to bring that up right now—he didn’t need a dose of guilt on top of his confusion.
“I was bitten,” I said simply. “Like you.”
Not wanting him to get any more upset than he obviously was, I quickly added, “It’s not so bad.”
Now he lifted his head and looked at me. “Not so bad? This is a freaking tragedy. Look at you.”
Glancing down at myself, I evaluated my appearance for the first time in weeks. Growing up Amish, I wasn’t used to considering my looks, but now, seeing myself in English clothes and knowing how the turning changed a person’s skin and hair and eyes, I supposed I did look really different from the night we’d met.
Actually I’d hoped my looks hadimproved, so the disgust in Reece’s voice stung a little. My response came out sounding more brittle than I’d intended.
“Well it’s not my first choice, but it’s better than being dead.”
“Is it? So youlikekilling people and drinking their blood then.” The sarcasm fell from his tongue like drops of sizzling molten metal.
“I haven’t killed anyone. It isn’t necessary. There are other ways to survive, like the blood bags, which are legal,” I explained. “It’s also possible to drink from people without killing them. They’ll teach you about that here. They’ll help you. But you have to let them.”
Despite Dr. Coppa’s warning, I stepped closer to the bars. “It’s going to be okay. We’re alive, aren’t we? Would you rather still be out there... instead of here with me?”
“I’d rather not be anywhere.”
Reece still wore a scowl, which worried me. If he didn’t cooperate with the medical staff, he’d never get better. Ihadto convince him to allow Dr. Coppa and the others to treat him.
Steeling my nerves, I went for total—and potentially embarrassing—honesty.
“WellI’mglad you’re here. When we said goodbye at the party that night, I thought I’d never see you again.”
Reece huffed a bitter sounding laugh. “Yes, and I’m quite a sight, aren’t I? You shouldn’t have come here. You shouldn’t be near me.”
“What?”
Surprise caused me to let out a little laugh, though nothing was funny. “You can’t hurt me, if that’s what you’re worried about. I’m not as breakable as I used to be, you know. And anyway, I can take care of myself. You’re the one who needs help.”
His eyes took on a new alertness, and he stood, moving closer. He wrapped both hands around the bars between us and lowered his voice.
“Can you help me get out of here?”
I took a half step back. “Out of the clinic?”
“Out of this whole place. Can you help me escape?”
“It’s not a matter of escaping. Everyone’s here by choice. As soon as you heal, you can go. That is, if you still want to leave.”
When Kannon brought him here, I had started entertaining the idea that Reece would want to stay here—with me.
“Of course I want to leave. You can’t tell me you want to live with a bunch of vampires.”
“Reece—wearevampires. There’s a lot to like about this place, you’ll see. I mean, yes, I do miss my friends and family—and daylight. But it’s not like we can have any of those things in the outside world now anyway. I have friends here. I’ve been taking classes. In many ways, my life is actually better. It’s safe and quite beautiful in the caverns. When you’re recovered, I’ll show you around.”
“Iamrecovered. I’m fine. I just want to get out of here. Please. Help me, Abbi.”
My heart ached for him. I couldn’t imagine how horrible it would be to wake up in a strange place behind bars—especially with wide gaps in my memory. Of course he wanted to leave.
“I can’t. Even if I could help you escape, you’re still sick. Please trust me. The doctors are trying to help you. As soon as you’re healed, you can leave.”
“You sound likethem,” he growled, slamming a palm against the solid bars and making them vibrate. “Just go. Go be with your new ‘friends,’ and leave me alone.”
“Reece...”