Page 20 of Newly Undead in Dark River

Brody was up, and I could hear him prowling around the apartment.

He picked me up in his arms like a child. “Whoever it was is gone. Let me put you into bed and then I'll call Walker.” His voice was low and soothing, his arms holding me tightly to his chest.

He placed me on top of my comforter and put my throw rug over my legs. I heard him creep out of the room, dialing Walker’s number as he left.

My sense of hearing seemed to make up for my lack of sight because no matter how low he whispered, I could still hear their conversation.

“Walker, it's Brody. Someone attacked Raine in her apartment.” I could hear him pacing agitatedly. “I don't know. There is no other scent here than Raine's. What does it matter what I was doing at her apartment, man? Look, just get over here.”

He snuck back into my room, and I felt the bed sink at the foot. He squeezed my ankle reassuringly. My eyes had stopped watering, but I still couldn’t open them. I heard the front door slam open again, impossibly quickly.

Two sets of steps charged into my room.

Soft hands touched my face. “Raine, it's Doc Alice. How long did you look into the light for?”

“Only about fifteen seconds, but I couldn't close my eyes. I tried. It's like my body no longer obeyed me.”

“Her maker,” Walker whispered, horrified.

Doc Alice pried open one lid, and I whimpered. Even the small amount of light in the darkened room made my eyes ache. “They are pretty badly burned. I'm going to bandage her eyes for at least twenty-four hours, give them time to properly heal before we expose them to any type of light. Someone will need to stay with her.”

“I'll call Angeline.”

I shook my head. “Angeline has a business to run, and she'll be down a staff member as it is. I'll be fine by myself.” I didn't feel quite so tough, but I didn't want to be a burden.

“I'll stay then,” Walker said firmly. I shook my head again, about to protest when Brody spoke from somewhere near the door.

“You need to find the scumbag that did this. I'll stay and watch her. I was only going to go fishing today anyway. Much better to spend it in the company of a beautiful woman who can't see me leering at her.” I could picture his smug grin, and a smile tugged at the corners of my mouth.

“It's fine with me if I get hungry, I can just take a bite out of Mr. Big Shifter over there.” My voice sounds shaky despite my words.

Walker humphed, and I could imagine him shooting a warning look at Brody, reminding him to mind his manners.

Doc Alice bandaged up my head and handed me a blood bag.

“You’ll have to up your blood intake while you heal. Double your usual amount.” She gave me a few more instructions and then took her leave. Walker sat down on the edge of the bed.

“So, tell me what happened. Don't leave any little detail out, no matter how inconsequential it seems. Don't just tell me what you saw, try and remember with your other senses as well.”

I recounted everything, wracking my brain for any hints. Did I feel someone in the room, hear their heartbeat? Could I smell their cologne? Hell, I couldn't even tell Walker if it was a man or a woman. The growl had been animalistic, almost a whine. Their arms had been like steel bands, but every vamp had super strength. I had felt a tingle down my spine, but I'd written it off as fatigue. Other than that, there was no indication there had been anyone else in my apartment.

I felt sick that someone had invaded my new safe haven. Did this confirm that my murderer had been a local? Someone who'd attended the movie night, or maybe checked out a book from the library? Had they attended my rebirthday party, smiling and happy, eating cake while the whole time knowing that they were the reason my old life was over?

I could hear his knuckles cracking when I told him about my attacker threatening to break me.

Once he'd finished questioning me, Walker proceeded to prowl around my apartment with Brody. Brody was grumbling that he couldn't pick up a scent again, just like with my pack.

“Obviously, it's a vamp who can block their scent and wipe memories. How many of those can there possibly be in this one-horse town?” His voice was stormy. I didn't know why he was angry; I was the one who was temporarily blind and in incredible pain.

“There is no one who fits that description in this town,” Walker growled out. “None of my list of possible suspects has this ability. It's blown my investigation to hell.”

“People lie, Walker Walton. Why don't you earn that Sheriff's badge and track this asshole down? I'd like to tear him to shreds. Raine doesn't deserve to live in fear, she's been through enough already.”

“You don't think I know that?” Walker whisper/shouted. “I want this guy brought to justice, even more than you do.” I heard him stomp in the direction of the door. “Look after her.” The 'or else' was implied.

Brody walked into the bedroom and laid down on the bed next to me. “Sleep. I'll be right here if you need me.”

As if he could feel my panic, lost in the darkness of my mind, he reached out and wrapped my hand in his. The warmth of his touch let me drift off into a healing,, dreamless sleep.

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