Page 5 of The Vampire's Thirst
“Dunno. Not my business. I found her, brought her to the ministry, and reported back today by special order. Wait till you hear.”
“At least stick around until she awakens.”
“Man, she’s just a human. I think you can handle her. I’ll let Commander Kole know she’ll survive. He’s likely already contacted Commander Jarek since she’s probably one of those slaves his stronghold’s been hunting down. Somebody’ll come for her.”
The healer turned kicked puppy eyes toward the Firebrand.
Tyr threw both arms into the air. “Okay. You win. I’ll do bedside duty.”
Good to his word, he slumped in a chair near the patient, the leather seat creaking under his weight. She looked better. Someone had cleaned her and washed her hair.
Without warning, the human’s lids popped open, and she was peeper-to-peeper with Tyr. Scuttling backward on the bed, she winced. Her eyes flashed a severe-risk alert, but she didn’t say a word. Leaning against the headboard, she did a one-eighty of the room, her head swiveling from side to side.
Tyr squirmed in his seat, the leather creaking as he shot her his most trustworthy grin.
After about five minutes of silent appraisal, laced with a heavy dose of oh-God, she spoke in a harsh, raspy whisper. “Where am I?”
He rose to approach her slowly, trying not to be intimidating. Given his black leathers, face tat, and piercings, it was a hard look to carry off.
Yep, wouldn’t you know it, she cowered, shrinking into a small ball to get away from the scary warlock.
He raised a hand, the universal sign ofI come in peace. “I’m not here to jam you up. I found you on the road and brought you to this medical facility a few days ago. Name’s Tyr, by the way.”
Her gaze flipped to a glass, her shaky hand reaching for it.
When she snatched her trembling fingers back, Tyr snagged the water. He brought the straw to her lips. “Here. Drink.”
She slurped a few times. That’s when she glanced at the needles, bags of fluid, and machines.
“For your own good. You were dehydrated. Needed food, too. Can you tell me what happened?”
“Where am I?” she asked, her voice stronger.
“I told you. A med center.”
“I mean is this another planet or what?”
“Or what.” Tyr stepped away, preparing to sit again.
Her brows furrowed, only assuring him he lacked the patience to explain shit to the female. “I need to talk to somebody in charge right now. They still have my friend, and I promised I would save her. Please, help me.” She swung her legs to the side of the bed but collapsed onto the mattress when she tried to sit. Her head bounced on the pillow.
Tyr reached her in three long strides to put her back under the covers. “Whoa, female. You’re way too weak to stand.”
“Then you have to help me save Celene.”
“Was she another human with you?” Now he perked up. Things were finally getting interesting. Someone else needed a rescue. Firebrands loved to play the hero.
“Yes.”
“You were both sex slaves?”
“What?” She pulled the sheet to her waist. “No. Prisoners. The guys who guarded us weren’t human. I know I sound crazy, but it’s true. May I have more water?”
Tyr brought the straw to her lips. “What’s your name?”
“Jace de Vries.”
“Hold on a sec.” Tyr set the glass onto the side table before tapping his D-chip to call Kole. He reported what Jace had told him. Then Kole made him wait. And wait. Finally, the commander returned.Uh-huh … Yeah. Fuck you say.The warlock smacked his forehead.Sure, I love standing guard at a damn medical facility while everyone decides what to do with an Earther. What’s so special about her? … Double fuck. I’m on it, Comm. And can somebody find Dax? He’s still MIA.
