Page 128 of Vampires and Violas

While I’m reveling in my victory, Sam grabs me. But he doesn’t pull me close so I can head-butt him again, nor does he expose his vulnerable knees. He picks me up and throws me over his shoulder, carrying me like a sack of potatoes.

I hit his back with my clenched fists and try to twist out of his grip, but Noah didn’t cover this one, and it’s obvious my escape attempts aren’t working this time.

“NOAH!” I yell as Sam takes me into the house, locking the door behind us.

“Stop,” he commands as he carries me up the stairs. “You’ll be glad you’re not out there in a minute. I’m not cruel enough to make you watch them kill your friend.”

The air seizes in my throat. My lungs lock up, and even when my body tries to release a horrified sob, nothing comes out.

Sam takes me into a bathroom and closes the door. Then he pulls me off his shoulder and sits me on the closed toilet seat.

The space is tiny. There’s no way I’ll get past him—which is probably why he chose it. That and there’s very little furniture in the house—only enough to look staged for home showings.

This must be one of Ethan’s properties. Sam doesn’t evenlivehere.

“You okay?” His eyes travel over me, and he has the nerve to look worried. “They didn’t hurt you, did they?”

“What iswrongwith you people?” I manage, starting to shake. My vision blurs, and I close my eyes, trying to get a grip on myself.

“When’s the last time you had blood?” Sam asks.

I pry my eyes open and stare at him, refusing to answer. But just the word sends a longing deep in my stomach.

I try to block it out. I asked what was wrong with him, but what’s wrong withme?Noah is out there with seven hardened criminals who are intent on killing him, and I’m having ablood craving?

Sam swears under his breath and then takes my chin, forcing my head to the side like he’s looking for my twin scars. “Your friend Montgomery—did you let him bite you?”

I jerk out of his grip. I’m dizzy like I was the other day, but I try to focus on him. “No.”

“You sure? Because this doesn’t look like a stage-one blood craving.”

“I already told you—you infected me again. I’m second-stage now,” my voice shakes as I begin to shiver. It’s like I’m violently cold, but I’m burning up.

This room is too hot, and there’s no air.

“Second-stage? Have they confirmed it with a blood test?” he asks, like he’s actually concerned.

“Not yet.”

Why I’m talking to him, I don’t know. Except maybe if I’m nice, they won’t kill Noah. And maybe if I calm down, the blood craving will go away.

I draw in a deep breath, trying. Trying.

“You’re going to hyperventilate.” Sam catches my shoulders. “Slow breath—that’s right. In…and out.”

I glare at him even as I follow his direction.

When I finally stop gasping for air, I swat his hands away.

“I need to check something,” he says. “You’re not going to like it though.”

“Touch me, and I swear I’ll kill you.”

Sam smiles. “Not possible, but I like your spunk.”

He catches the back of my head, and when I try to jerk away from him, he holds me tight and says, “Shh. I’m not going to hurt you.”

And he doesn’t hurt me. He brings my face to his neck.

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