Page 9 of Midnight Prince
Benedict
My stomach threatened again, but with nothing in it, it just spasmed and heaved.
As much as I wanted to taste Hazel’s blood, how much I needed it, I didn’t think I would be able to keep it down. I knew I already caused a mess on her floor last night. I wasn’t going to lie around here and let Thomas and the pack think they got one up on me.
“What are you doing?” Her hands came down on my shoulders to try and keep me here. I might be weak but I was still stronger than her. I was careful as I sat up and swung my legs over the side of the bed.
“I will be fine. There isn’t much else they can do to me. They know I am dying. It’s just a matter of time. Can you try to call my friend Galen again? I will protect you from them as long as I can. But Galen will come, when I am not here, he can protect you.”
She took a step back and pulled her phone out. Her fingers trembled as she started to call Galen. I held on to the walls and the doorframe. My body was shutting down fast. I looked to the floor where I lay last night, the smell of bleach in the air was strong.
I would use everything I had, everything to keep her safe until Galen could get here. I looked out the window and saw their eyes. Glowing out there through the trees. I hissed at them. I knew they could hear me as they growled back.
This was going to be a long night.
* * *
The faint light in the room had me stirring. I bolted upright, the pain in my head and stomach worsened.
“It’s okay, you’re in the room. I dragged you back here when you collapsed this morning. It scared me that the sun was coming up fast and you were just there, not moving.” I could smell the salt from her tears. I really scared her. I felt so guilty.
“I can’t get through to your friend. Is there anyone else I can call? Or where does he live? Can I take you to him?”
I looked over to her, my eyes unfocused for a brief moment. “Hazel.” My throat was dry and scratchy. Because I hadn’t fed, I was growing weaker and succumbing to the venom much more rapidly than I had estimated. I didn’t want to die. It was only starting to hit me now how short of a time I had left. I wanted to live. I wanted to live for Hazel.
“Kiba… he… he is a teacher at…” I swallowed, but my throat was so dry. I looked at my skin, it was so pale, almost grey in color. I must look horrible to her. A normal person shouldn’t be this color. I looked up and saw she was perched beside the bed, so close. I reached out and brushed some of her hair behind her ear. She smiled.
“Where is he a teacher? Maybe I can call him there?” She reached up and took my hand in hers. I could see the color difference instantly. I wasn’t going to be around much longer.
“Port Willow High. Hazel… if you can’t get through to him, don’t worry. I… I would rather spend my last days with you. I wish I met you sooner. I wish that I had asked you out on a date back at the bar. I wish…” It was now just a whisper as my voice gave out, but she heard me. The tears in her eyes told me she heard it all. She placed her hand on my cold chest and gently pushed me back to lie down, so I did. She pulled the blanket up higher and rested her hand over it.
“Please, will you take my blood? Would that help? Can we get you some medicine? Is there a way to live through this?”
Taking her blood would help me live a few more days. Be stronger for when the pack came back, but I didn’t want to do that to her. I couldn’t compel her in the state I was in, and it was going to hurt until I was stronger. And even then, I didn’t know if I would be able to compel her. I didn’t want to alter her mind or her thoughts.
“I can’t compel you to take the pain away. It would hurt you and I don’t want to do that. You treat me as if I am human now. But after that, you will see me as an animal.” I didn’t think I would be able to heal the wounds my fangs would leave behind with my blood after the venom had changed me. I didn’t know if it would do something to her. There was so many things I didn’t know about this. I needed Galen. He was old and worked with pack Kiba. He would be able to compel Hazel so she forgot she ever met me. At least he could do that for me. I didn’t want her to feel like this was her fault or anything.
“I don’t care, take it. I don’t want you to die. I want you to live. I will find Galen. Do you think he will be able to save you?” I shook my head. I didn’t want to meet her eyes. I could already smell more of the salty tears streaming down her face.
“No, this is so unfair. I just met you. I wanted to… to date you, too. I looked for you the last two weeks, but I didn’t know you were a vampire and couldn’t come out during the day, but I looked for you. I wanted to get to know you.” She was so beautiful, even with red-rimmed eyes and tears streaming down her face.
Me too… for the first time since becoming a vampire I wanted to fall in love.
“Let’s get to know one another now. There is no time like the present and I have some spare time up my sleeve. Ask me any questions you want and I will answer them.”
That got a chuckle from her. She wiped her eyes and smiled.
“Okay, my first question…”
