Page 5 of Crimson Bond

She’d said there was nothing here for her and made it quite clearIwasn’t enough reason to stick around.

If it weren’t for Kannon standing there, I would have ordered her to turn around and leave the Bastion. As it was, he—and probably all the members of his team—had seen her already. Imogen wouldn’t be satisfied until she’d seen Abbi herself.

And dealt with her.

“Whatcanyou be thinking coming back here?” I growled at her.

The question came out more harshly than I’d intended, and the look on Abbi’s face told me it had stung her. But her expression morphed quickly into fiery defiance.

“Well, it’s nice to see you, too. The Bastion is a refuge for vampires in trouble, is it not? I’m in trouble. I didn’t know where else to go.”

Not what I’d been expecting, but I supposed it made sense. Abbi wasn’t stupid. And of course she wouldn’t risk coming back here unless she’d literally had no other choice.

The spark of idiotic hope that had sprung to life inside me died in a pile of black, smoldering ash.

“What kind of trouble?” I demanded.

“My friends and I are wanted by the authorities.”

What could a peace-loving former Amish girl possibly have done to run afoul of the human police? I glanced over at the unconscious human male. He was young, about our age. This had to be about him somehow.

“Friends?” I scoffed. “All I see is a half-dead human.”

Abbi’s voice turned acidic. “I meant Kelly and Heather. And yes, Shaneismy friend. And yes, he’s a human—who’s hurt as you can see. He needs immediate medical attention, so if you’ll please let us pass...”

She looked at me, brows raised expectantly.

Shane.Her friend.

Who was this guy? Had she found him on the road somewhere? Or had he come with her from California?

Was hemorethan a friend, as in a... a boyfriend?

How dare she bring him here. How dare she risk her own life for a human. She was too nice. He’d never do the same for her.

I did not move to let them pass. “Still a human-loving do-gooder, I see. That doesn’t explain why you brought him here. If his injuries don’t kill him, which based on the smell of things they will, then some thirsty Bastion citizen will do the job. Probably the good doctor himself. Either way, I seriously doubt Shawnwill make it through the night.”

“His name isShane—and I’m going to at least try to save him. Unlike you, I don’t give up on the people I care about.”

Abbi hadn’t raised a hand to me, but I felt as if I’d been slapped. It was hard to say which hurt more—her admission that she cared for him—or her accusation that I hadn’t caredenoughabout her.

Everything I’d done had been about her. She was the reason I’d sacrificedeverything.

Fury and jealousy whirled together in an emotional tornado, dislodging my self-control and sending my rational thought spinning. My hands moved without my permission, gripping her small shoulders, pulling her close. I glared down into her upturned face.

“If you’ve fallen in love with this weak human, you’re even more foolish than I thought you were. Whether he lives or dies, it won’t last, you know.”

Not the least bit intimidated, Abbi jutted out her stubborn little chin. “My feelings for him are none of your business. You made sure of that when you took the Bloodbound vows. Now please let us by.”

My feelings for him. My feelings for him. My feelings for him.

The phrase ricocheted through my brain, echoing to its borders, leaving a wake of pain.

Kannon’s voice broke through the tumult. “Yeah dude—this kid’s skinny, but he’s got heavy bones or something.”

Nodding numbly, I let out my pent-up breath and stepped out of the way. Before the three of them disappeared into the clinic, I gathered myself enough to issue a clipped order.

“Get him settled and come right back out. I’m supposed to take you to Imogen.”

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