Page 14 of Addicted in Blood
Sergi guidedme from the sedan to the plane.I couldn’t seem to get one foot in front of the other.I barely registered the private jet, and I might have tripped going up the stairs.The chilled air of the cabin pricked my skin, increasing the shivers that never went away in the warmth of the car.
I sunk into the buttery, leather chair, somewhat embarrassed that Sergi buckled me in.
“We’ll be taking off shortly, then we’ll get you some food.”
I nodded and grabbed the blanket he handed me.My hands shook, but my teeth weren’t chattering anymore.That had to be a good thing.
Sergi sat close with his ever-trusty tablet.Was he checking on Devon?
I closed my eyes, and all I could see was Devon’s beast.When vamps mentioned the beast, I’d assumed it was an internal craving for blood that drove them mad, like when you’ve been eating salad for weeks.Then you spot the pizza delivery guy, and you’d willingly drive over him just to get your hands on the pie he was holding.Like that, but on steroids.
It turned out going full beast was more than hunger.There was a physical change that occurred.He didn’t shape-shift.It was more a bulking out.Not as much as the Incredible Hulk, and he didn’t turn green, but his facial and physical form was different.More Cro-Magnon than the refined features of modern man.It must be horrifically painful.Was there a point where the physical transformation became permanent?I shook my head.Maybe he hadn’t physically changed at all, and the shadows were playing tricks.
I glanced at Sergi.Part of me wanted to grill him on what I’d seen, but there was more than just the changes in his physical form that terrified me.It was that brief moment when the beast had looked at me.Had actually locked eyes with me.
The body and mind might belong to the beast, but the eyes belonged to Devon.There was only one way to interpret what I’d seen.Trapped.Fucking scared and trapped.And every time the image flashed, all I saw was Devon begging for help.
“Here, drink this.”Sergi set a glass of orange juice in front of me.“We both know you’re not going to eat, and you need your energy.”
I glanced around.The jet wasn’t climbing anymore.He tapped the table.I’d do anything if it made him go away.Without looking up, I emptied the glass, pulled my legs up, hugged the blanket around me, and dropped my forehead to my knees.
Devon’s eyes were back.This time accusing.Dark clouds as wispy as shadows floated around me, gradually thickening until his gaze faded into the darkness.
“Wake up.We’ll be landing soon.”
A rough hand shook my shoulder.I mumbled something and turned away, but the shaking continued.
“You need coffee.Wake up.”
I managed to pry one eye open as the scent of fresh brew cleared my senses.The light was too bright.My brain was fuzzy, and I was pretty sure I’d been hit by a bus.I rolled over when I heard the clatter of dishes.
The flight attendant, a young male vamp, was picking up food dishes, and from the remnants, it looked like I’d missed a succulent dinner.My stomach grumbled.
I wasn’t in my seat anymore but lying on the sofa across from it.A groan slipped out as I pushed myself to an upright position while getting my bearings.The last thing I remembered—my gaze flew to the table—was drinking a glass of juice.The glass was long gone.I narrowed my eyes at Sergi, who was in the same seat as when we took off.
“You drugged me.”My voice was hoarse.
He shrugged.“A light sedative.One of Cook’s remedies.It was mostly you.You needed the sleep.”
A glance out the window said it was still nighttime.“What time is it?”
“Almost five.”
The attendant was back, placing a roast beef sandwich and fruit salad in front of me.His smile was congenial, and my return smile was most likely a sneer.It was the best I could offer before coffee, which I slurped as fast as the temperature would allow.
“I thought a sandwich would be better in case you didn’t finish it.You can wrap it to go.It will be several hours before breakfast.Girard Lafitte will be entertaining us this morning.”
I nursed a second cup while devouring the sandwich.I’d recognize Cook’s food anywhere, and I was famished.With our destination close, it was easier to push back my concerns for Devon and focus on our mission.But whether Sergi was ready or not, we were going to have a serious sit down before we left for home.
“Lafitte, he’s the leader of the New Orleans House?”
“Yes.And up until a couple of days ago, a staunch ally.”
I swallowed a bite of fruit salad then took a bite of sandwich.“You think the incident, or whatever we’re calling it, had a negative impact with our allies.”I was licking the spicy dressing off my fingers when I noted the silence.Sergi was staring at me.“What?”
He shook his head with a small smile, but he looked at me differently.“You said ‘our allies’.Not Devon’s allies.Not the House Trelane’s.”
I replayed my words then shrugged, not wanting him to see my own confusion over my choice of words.“We’re a team, right?”
