Page 73 of Kingdom of Chaos
I didn’t feel an ounce of guilt about taking the motorcycle, but the SUV was another story. The owner had just stepped out of the vehicle when Imogen walked up and compelled him to believe the truck we’d stolen from Tobias was theirs. She handed him the keys, so at least he wouldn’t be stranded.
Still, I assume theft is illegal here too, so I can only hope he snaps out of her compulsion before he gets arrested for stealing the thing.
Night begins to fall, and we’re still at least nine hours from New York City. We drive for a couple more hours before stopping at a fast-food place for dinner. Imogen compels thestaff into thinking we’ve already paid, and I do my best not to dwell on it.
The car ride has been quiet since lunch. The strain of the last few days is showing on everyone’s faces. We agree to push through for a few more hours, then find a hotel to crash for the night, wanting to tackle the city when we’re fresh and rested.
By the time we pull into a rundown motel late that night, I’m sore in places I didn’t know could be sore, and can barely put one foot in front of the other. Everyone looks worn out, but Imogen looks as bad as I feel. Maybe worse.
After compelling the girl behind the front desk to give us the last remaining room, Imogen sways slightly on her feet. Titus reaches out to steady her but she brushes him off. Even though I don’t like the vampire, I feel a twinge of concern.
“What’s wrong with her?” I whisper to Talon as we walk to the rented room.
He glances at me with a furrowed brow. “She was injured and has been using a lot of magic. She needs to feed.”
He doesn’t mean regular food. She needs blood.
Back in the creature world, it’s easy for a vampire to find blood. There are even mobile food trucks that sell it, but here she’d either have to steal it from someplace, like a hospital or blood bank, if they even have those here. Or compel someone and take it by force. Both options are risky, and make my stomach turn.
When we reach the room, Imogen uses the keycard to enter. She’s only two steps into the room before she collapses to her knees. We rush in after her and find her still conscious, but so drained she can’t even summon the strength to stand.
“I’m fine,” she snaps, swatting Talon’s hands away when he tries to help her up.
Clearly she isn’t.
“This is ridiculous,” Titus says as he plows a hand through his hair, sending his white strands in all directions. “She can’t go on like this.”
With an exasperated sigh, he reaches down and pulls Imogen to her feet, slinging one of her arms over his shoulder and wrapping his around her waist. The fact that she doesn’t snap at him to let her go shows just how far gone she is.
“What are you doing?” Ensley asks in alarm.
Titus can’t meet her gaze. “I’m going to take care of it,” is all he says, but it’s clear what he means.
He’s taking a third option I failed to consider. He’s going to let Imogen feed from him.
Ensley takes a step toward them, her gaze filled with worry. “Titus, no. There has to be another way.”
“Do you want to find an innocent human for her to feed on instead, probably traumatizing them for the rest of their life?” he asks gruffly.
Ensley seals her lips, concern for the hypothetical human flashing across her face.
Titus finally looks at Ensley, his gaze softening as it connects. “We don’t really have any other options right now. It’s not that big of a deal.”
Ensley chews on her bottom lip, visibly upset. It’s clear she doesn’t want Imogen feeding from Titus, but she probably doesn’t feel like she has a claim on him to stop it from happening.
I exchange a glance with Talon. I can tell we’re on the same page. Both of us have kept our mouths closed, knowing this is between the two of them.
“Fine, whatever,” Ensley finally says in a small voice, turning away.
Titus looks like he wants to say something to her, but instead he tightens his grip on Imogen. “I’ll take her to the SUV for privacy. The windows are tinted.”
“Don’t let anyone see you,” Talon warns. “The humans won’t understand.”
With a grim look on his face, Titus nods and then all but carries Imogen out of the room.
When the door closes behind them, Ensley gets up and heads to the bathroom and slams the door behind her. A minute later, the shower turns on and I worry that she’s trying to cover the sound of her crying.
I get up to check on her but Talon catches my hand. When I look over at him, he shakes his head. “Give her a few minutes. She needs it.”
