Page 26 of B Positive

“Eden?” April startled, her gaze finding mine. “There hasn’t been much of a change. But the doctors say, given how serious his injuries are, that’s to be expected.”

After Julian left the bar, I’d smoothed things over with Jerry by telling him I’d come see April the following day.

I’d planned to anyway, but it kept him from asking questions, like how I’d gotten between him and Julian so fast, and what compelling was. I didn’t like manipulating people like that, but it was better than explaining vampires and it was a fuckload better than compelling his memory away.

I crossed the hospital room and hugged her. “I’m so sorry this happened.”

Her voice broke. “Me too, Eden. Me fucking too.” She pulled back, looking me in the eye. “You’re never prepared for something like this, you know? I mean, you think you are, but when it comes down to it, you aren’t. How could anyone be?”

I nodded, listening to whatever she needed to say.

“God, and his parents still haven’t been able to get here. They’re on some beach in the Mediterranean somewhere and haven’t gotten a flight out yet.”

“I can only imagine how hard this must be.”

Her eyes welled, chin trembled, but April held her emotions in check by sheer force of will. “Listen, I’ve been here all night and I don’t want to leave him, but I need to get some tampons. Would you mind staying while…”

“Absolutely. Take your time, honey. I’ll stay with Erik for as long as you need.” Which was actually exactly what I was hoping for.

“Thanks, Eeds. I’ll try to be quick.”

I pulled up a chair next to the hospital bed and waited until April’s steps had faded to nothingness. Then I waited some more to make certain there weren’t any nurses about to pop in and check his vitals or give meds or something.

But, eventually, when I was certain the coast was clear, I unwrapped his neck wound.

The sight of the bruised, torn flesh, hastily stitched and stapled back together, turned my stomach. And not only because it was gruesome.

I’d done the same to five people.

Five.

I’d been out of my mind with blood lust. A monster addicted to the chase, the kill, and the blood.

I took a breath and shook off the clinging wisps of the lowest point of my life, and sank my fangs into the meat of my palm. Once a good bit of blood welled from the puncture marks, I smeared it over Erik’s neck wound.

Seven staples worked their way out of the mending flesh as my blood did its job and healed Erik’s destroyed neck. Moments later, my blood had erased the wound entirely.

It was the least I could do. Penance for my prior sins and for what I was about to do.

I let my veil down entirely, filling the room with magnetism. I didn’t even know if this would work, but I had to try.

Erik. Come to me, Erik. Wake up, my pet.

I cooed the words in his mind, hoping that vamp magic could beat out whatever pharmaceutical cocktail kept him unconscious.

There’s no need to worry, Erik. You’re safe. Come to me.

The beeps on the monitors stayed steady, but I had to keep trying.

Erik, you belong to me. Come to me.

His lids flew open, confusion clouding his brown gaze.

“Sshhhh, don’t worry. I’ve got you, Erik.”

His face relaxed instantly.

“Do you remember who hurt you, Erik?”

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