Page 8 of MidKnight
I couldn’t suppress the chill that crept down my spine.
The hand that choked me let up slightly. I gasped, gulping air as quickly as I could.
I heard footsteps. Declan and the guards were almost back. I just needed to make it a few more seconds. I didn’t want him to realize they were coming. I didn’t want him to try to get away. I struggled to make as much noise as possible, trying to punch Abbas in the face, kicking my feet against the floor, squealing against his fingers as they clenched once more around my neck.
Abbas merely laughed and ran his nose along my neck, like a lover might. “Just wait, Bloss. I have so much in store for you. The most beautiful nightmare.”
His face seemed to shimmer before my eyes. His mouth morphed and stretched until he had a sharp row of dagger-like teeth. And then he sank his teeth into my neck, biting down so hard I screamed.
Chapter Three
Iwoke up in my chamber, stripped to my chemise, laying on top of my covers. I was desperately thirsty. But at least my neck didn’t hurt. I ran a finger over the healed skin.
Declan was perched at my side on the bed. Connor was just behind him. Quinn and Ryan stood on the other side of the bed, watching over me. When I coughed, Connor handed me a tumbler of water, which I gulped down.
“Are you…” he trailed off, worried.
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t baby me. Just tell me that asswipe’s been beaten within an inch of his life and healed so I can beat him myself.”
Declan grinned at me. “Of course, Peace,” he used his nickname for me, “Ryan and Quinn both beat him.”
I winked at my knights across the bed and Ryan lifted his chin.
Declan grabbed my hand, “You know, I really love the irony of your power.”
I smiled at him. “Me, too. Now help me to my feet.”
Declan helped me up. Because attitude or not, magical healing or not, an attack still had some physical aftermath. I had to shake off tremors from the adrenaline. I was still slightly light-headed from the blood loss. But I stared at myself in the looking glass and didn’t see a hint of a scar.
“Your work?” I asked Ryan.
He nodded. “The healer and I worked together.”
Ryan and the other guys followed me into my dressing room. “I’m nearly out of time to get ready, aren’t I?” I asked.
“Take whatever time you need to recover, Bloss Boss,” Connor said. “I’ll delay Isla if we need to.”
I shook my head. “I don’t want to look weak during our first meeting.”
Connor reached for my hand. He felt my pulse. “You sure?”
“I’m fine,” I told him.
Declan spoke up. “Abbas shape-shifted. His face when I came in—”
“That proves Cerena right, doesn’t it?” I said. “The real Abbas can’t shape-shift, can he?”
Declan shook his head. “No. The real one’s supposedly got superhuman speed. And the three wishes all half djinn get. But that’s it. I believe Cerena. My question is … I didn’t recognizewhathe was. Did you?”
I ran a hand self-consciously over my neck. The healer had removed the scar, but a phantom pain sent my pulse racing. “We’ll make him tell us.”
We certainly will,Quinn came up and pulled my hand away from my neck and kissed me gently there.
Connor came to my right side and stroked my arm. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
I gave him a small smile and grabbed his hands, pulling them around me. I needed a hug. I needed more than a hug. I wanted to be wrapped up in reassurances and soft crooning like an infant. But I didn’t have time for any more comfort than the hug. So, I simply latched onto Connor and let him drain a little of my fear. “Thanks.”
Declan paced in front of me. “Abbas is an impostor. He’s capable of shape shifting. Controlling a dragon. Which now we can’t even be sure is his brother. We made that assumption thinking we were fighting Abbas. But whoever heis… he’s unstable enough or desperate enough to attack you in your own palace …”
