Page 51 of Wynter's Bite

Instead, he cradled Bethany in his arms, listening to her relaxed breathing and silently vowed that he would do everything in his power to ensure her safety during their journey and ever after.

When they awoke in the late afternoon, Justus felt slightly more optimism. Perhaps it was because Bethany appeared content eating her sandwiches rather than starving until nightfall as she had previously. ...Though haunted shadows still lurked beneath her eyes and her fingers held a faint tremor.

Once more, they talked about books until nightfall, forming concrete plans to find a library or bookseller at the next town or village.

When they left the cave, Justus frowned as he realized they were further from civilization than he’d expected. He ran with Bethany as long as he could, but aside from an isolated cluster of small farms, nothing promising lay in sight.

Thunder rumbled in the distance, chasing away his previous high spirits.

But Bethany lifted her skirts and trotted over to a vegetable garden, gathering up radishes, turnips, asparagus, and various leafy greens.

“I feel like a rabbit,” she said with a giggle, loading the pack. Her hands trembled slightly and there was a feverish glaze in her eyes.

Yet she looked so cheerful that his concern abated. He felt like a fool for not considering gardens in the first place. Years ago, his tenants had harvested Spring vegetables and it hadn’t even occurred to him that they would be in abundance. Some provider he was turning out to be.

His self-flagellation ceased as he scented the presence of other vampires. They burst out of a copse of trees, surrounding him. Justus counted three.

“And who might you be?” one vampire asked, eyeing Bethany warily.

“Just travelers, passing through,” Justus answered, taking advantage of their reluctance to reveal what they were to a mortal.

“We know better than that,” the second one snarled before turning to Bethany. “Is this man bothering you?”

Bethany took Justus’s arm and lifted her chin with all her haughty aristocratic upbringing. “He is doing no such thing. Now let us pass.”

The Cheshire vampire glared at her. “I’m afraid I cannot allow that. This gent needs to come with us for a spell. Now run along home, woman. This is no place for you.”

“My home is with him,” Bethany said, and threw a turnip.

The dirt-coated vegetable struck the vampire’s forehead, making the others step back in shock. Justus wasted no time in taking advantage of the distraction she afforded. He lifted Bethany in his arms and ran as fast as his vampiric speed would allow.

Another crack of thunder sounded before rain came pouring down in sheets. Despite the discomfort, Justus thanked the heavens for it, because rain would obscure his scent. His body protested running so soon without having fed, but he urged himself forward.

He didn’t know how long he pressed on, how many miles passed before the sense of his pursuers no longer lurked behind him. He carried Bethany another few paces before he slowed and set her down, panting with exhaustion. She stumbled and he reached out a hand to steady her.

She murmured thanks and sat, cupping her face with her hands, shivering. “I’m so dizzy. I thought you’d never stop. How far did we come?”

“I don’t know,” Justus said, shoulders still heaving. “At least three miles.” He looked up and bit back a curse. They’d gone further into the wilderness instead of towards a town as he’d hoped. Many a time had he been able to lose himself in a crowd of humans and have a bite before moving on to another territory long before those chasing him found his trail.

And though he’d lost these pursuers, there were no humans nearby to provide sustenance. The pouring rain plastered his hair to his skull, soaked through his clothes, and ran in icy runnels down his spine. Bethany’s discomfort had to be worse, with the encumbrance of skirts. His chest tightened with sympathy as he watched her rub her arms in vain attempt to warm herself. She shook like a leaf.

He sighed in resignation. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d gone without food, and he needed to get Bethany out of the rain.

“Are you all right?” she asked softly as they walked deeper into the woods.

“I’m fine,” he said. “We need to find a way out of this rain.”

She nodded in agreement, shivering. “I just wish I could see where we are going.”

That was right, her night vision wasn’t as good as his. Another pang of worry and impotent frustration speared him at his throwing her into such a situation. “Don’t worry, I’ll guide you through.”

The boughs of the trees provided a semblance of shelter from the pattering rain. Justus held tight to Bethany’s hand, warning her when to duck, or step over a hole or large stone. He hated the sound of her teeth chattering, the panic in her eyes as they darted sightlessly in every direction. Never had he been more tempted to throw caution to the wind and Change her. Then she could see. Then she could run.

But if he did so, she would be a rogue and hunted as he was. Dejection gnawed in his belly, easing slightly when they came upon an abandoned hovel. Half the roof was missing, but at least it would provide some shelter.

“You sit in here, and I’ll try to find some dry wood,” he said over his shoulder.

“Let me help.” She shifted as if to stand.

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