I shook my head. “I’m fine. It stopped bleeding, and I’d hate to have it accidentally start again.”
She pursed her lips. “You’re making this situation difficult.”
A warning tingle surged up my neck, and my blood hummed.
“Shit. Warin won’t be able to resist if he smells you right now. I canfeelthe power radiating off you.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a syringe.
What the—?
Then she lunged.
CHAPTER THREE
Before I could move, the needle hit my arm, and her thumb pressed down on the plunger, injecting the drug. My T-shirt had given her an easy target.
Still, the floor shook underneath me from the hum of my magic.
Glinda yanked the needle from my arm, and the door handle to the room twisted. With her free hand, she lifted her palm toward it just as a vampire charged in. A gust of wind slammed into the attacker and tossed him back into the hallway.
With her other hand, she slid the desk against the door.
Between the floor shaking and my heart racing, I almost lost my balance as the drug kicked in. My legs became dead weight.
Multiple vampires banged against the bedroom door, and enough adrenaline pumped through me to keep me upright. Luckily, the hum didn’t intensify, and soon, my blood eased into a fizz, and the floor stilled.
I groaned, hating the fear and anger that remained constant in my chest. The intensity was nearly overwhelming now that everything else had calmed.
Each second, my blood calmed more, and the vampires’ frenzy quieted. I hated being drugged, but at least the vampires were no longer making noise at my door. I hoped that meant they were gone.
I wobbled, and the world tilted underneath me as the drug got into my system.
“Let’s get you onto the bed,” Glinda said and moved to place her arm around me.
I jerked out of her reach. I’d rather fall than allow her to touch me after she’d drugged me. I teetered but stayed upright.
Weird.
I’d never been graceful before. That was new.
“S-s-stay back.” My words slurred like I was drunk.
She raised both hands and stopped. “I’m sorry, but we’re underground, and any structural compromise could jeopardize all of us. There are also five vampires down here who covet your blood when your magic is out of control. I had to do something before chaos erupted.”
I snorted. “Every villain is the hero in their own story, but I’m not buying it. This is the second time you people havedruggedme against my will.”
“If I’d asked, you would’ve consented?” She arched a brow.
“That’s not the point.” My breathing slowed, and I anchored my focus on the strong sensation in my chest. It was the only thing I could feel with the drug in my system. “Don’t try to paint a picture that’s not real.”
“We did it to help you so that you can see the truth of the brutality of the wolf shifters and how they control us.” Glinda shook her head. “Believe me, I know this isn’t ideal, but it is necessary.”
I closed my mouth. Anything I said would be a repeat. I needed to stop expending energy arguing with her and focus on my goal. I kept waiting for sleep to take me, but I was able to remain standing.
She licked her lips. “Get some rest. I’m going outside to ward these vampires from entering your room. It’ll be best for all of us if you can’t get out and they can’t get in. I’ll come back with your dinner.” She lifted a hand and removed the desk from the door.
Her words sank in.
Dinner.