Page 8 of Wolf Bitten

Odd. It was right around that time that I’d gone into the woods looking for Raffe.

When she opened the door, I asked urgently, “How long have I been here?” If it was the same day, that meant I was close to campus. I’d been dead weight, so maybe Dave hadn’t been able to carry me far. There was no telling how many secret locations these witches had on or near campus. Maybe Supreme Priestess Olwyn and Slade would find me.

“It’s been a day.” Glinda’s shoulders sagged. “You were given too strong of a dose, which wasn’t our intention. That’s why you need to eat, especially after I gave you more of the same drug. I’ll be back soon.”

She exited and shut the door behind her, leaving me alone.

I’d thought I understood what isolation meant, but I’d never experiencedthis. Even with the drug numbing my emotions, my chest ached from the sob building inside. I closed my eyes, wishing I was back at the campus apartment with Raffe, Lucy, and Cat-Keith. The need was so desperate that I didn’t think I could take being here anymore.

There was no way I could survive this without the drug in my system. My blood probably would’ve hummed and killed us all like Glinda feared.

Maybe drugging me had merit, but I would never admit that … especially not to her.

With nothing else to do, I lay on the bed and let tears slide down my face as sleep overtook me.

“One more signof losing control, and I swear, Warin, I will do whatever is necessary to protect her.” Glinda’s terse statement stirred me from sleep.

The scent of pineapple and mint clung to my nose, and my eyes popped open.

A man with gorgeous dark, wavy hair stood at the edge of my bed, his coal eyes narrowed as he stared at the older woman. “I’m fully in control. I won’t be caught off guard again.”

Thiswas Warin? The two-thousand-year-old vampire? He appeared to be in his early thirties, if that and had scruff on his chin like so many men of that age. The only thing that set him apart was the way he held himself, but other than that, he wore an ordinary black button-down shirt and black slacks you could find anywhere. Even his skin was a nice tan color, as if he’d spent time in the sun, quite a contrast to Dave’s and Zella’s paleness. I would’ve thought he was human. Granted, his handsomeness was on par with the supernatural world.

“You didn’t seem in control earlier today.” Glinda rolled her eyes and placed a tray of food on the desk.

My stomach grumbled, and Warin’s steely gaze swung to me.

Even with the drug in my system, my heart rate increased.

“How very human.” He wrinkled his nose. “You’d think you’d learn to control yourself better than letting your stomach make all those noises.”

His condescending tone got the best of me, and I snapped, “Like you controlled yourself earlier when you tried to drink from me?”

Jaw clenching, he flared his nostrils but didn’t say a word.

“She has you there.” Glinda chuckled and smacked Warin out of her way while pulling out the black rolling chair from behind the desk. “Come and eat.”

Though I didn’t trust either of them, I needed food for energy. If I wanted to keep up my strength to seize my chance for the first opportunity to get out of here, I had to be smart, not stubborn. Besides, I hadn’t eaten in two days, and I had used a lot of power.

Sluggishly, I stood and made my way to the chair. As I passed Warin, a shiver ran down my spine.

He smirked, obviously noticing his effect on me.

And here I thought I’d never find someone I disliked more than Raffe’s best friend, Keith.

There had to be a higher power with a horrible sense of humor who liked messing with me. I’d bet whoever it was called the game “How Can We Prove Skylar Wrong?”

Straightening my spine the best I could, given the circumstances, I slid into the seat and examined the food—a turkey sandwich, chips, and a bottle of water. Basic items that almost anyone would enjoy. I took a bite of the sandwich, trying to prove that Warin’s presence didn’t bother me.

Glinda sat in the white chair. “I hope the food is to your liking.”

It was the best damn sandwich I’d ever had, but I wasn’t sure if that was true or just the hunger talking. “It’s fine. Thanks.” I figured I should be somewhat polite to see what information I could glean from them.

I tried to eat slowly, but I took a second bite as hunger clenched my stomach. The two of them watched me as if I were a freak show.

Now,thatwas something I was familiar with. That’s the way Lizzie and the other kids I’d gone to school with had treated me.

I refused to fill the silence. They’d brought me here, and the more desperate I seemed for answers, the more control they’d have over me. That was how bullies had worked back in school too.

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