Page 100 of Bite at First Sight

Thomas joined her, his blue eyes bulging with fear. “What do they want, my lady?”

Probably to kill me. She gave him a tremulous smile. “They likely believe it is time to erase your memory, as I warned you.”

He nodded, only the tightness of his jaw and the whitened corners of his mouth betraying his trepidation. Admiration filled her at his courage and acceptance during this ordeal.

When the vampire had delivered Thomas to the battlefield, he’d raised a brow and then calmly asked her to tell him what was going on. Once Cassandra had explained the basics about vampires and how to heal them, he’d opened his own medical bag and gotten to work.

Before long, they had the wounded lined up in an orderly fashion with uninjured vampires standing by to donate blood.

The surgeon had worked beside her with cool efficiency despite the fact that many of his patients eyed him hungrily, as if he were a juicy steak. When one lunged to bite him, Thomas stuffed a cloth soaked with ether in the vampire’s mouth and continued working.

Now nearly all of the wounded had been treated. Cassandra could not have managed without him. She prayed she hadn’t cost Thomas his life.

The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as she neared the oldest and most powerful vampires in the world, who held her fate and Rafe’s in the palms of their ancient hands.

A petite Japanese female met her stare. Her burning black gaze seemed to delve into Cassandra’s soul. “Dr. Burton, tell us about how you healed Lord Villar’s arm and how you treated these fallen vampires.”

She took a shaky breath and recited her methods exactly as she’d explained them to Thomas Wakley.

Rafe took her hand and squeezed it, giving her strength to not stammer and curl into a shivering ball before her formidable judges.

“And who taught you these things?” a large male vampire with a thick German accent inquired, stroking his chin.

Cassandra met his gaze, refusing to cower. “I had studied medicine on my own for over ten years. Thomas Wakley then gave me the Oxford examination and offered me a few lessons.”

“The Oxford examination?” The Scottish Elder laughed. “Women aren’t allowed!”

Thomas glared at him. “I am well aware of that. It was a courtesy gesture so that she had some assurance that she is worthy.”

The Elders stared at the surgeon until he flushed and looked at his feet. Their piercing attention returned to Cassandra. “We have been discussing what to do with you, human.”

Rafe pulled her into his arms. She rested her cheek against his chest, seeking the haven of his embrace.

The other female Elder laughed. “Oh, that’s how it is.”

The male Elders chuckled and leered, though Cassandra hardly heard them over the pounding of Rafe’s heart and the fine tremor in his body. His fear intensified hers.

The Japanese Elder silenced them with a glare. “Your skills in healing are impressive and could be an invaluable asset to our people.” She smoothed her kimono and breathed a regretful sigh. “It is a shame that Lord Villar is unable to Change you. Yet we cannot allow you to go on as you are.”

Cassandra clung tighter to Rafe, her heart sinking. This was it. She buried her face in his chest, breathing in his beloved spicy scent for the last time.

“Therefore I shall do so.”

Rafe gasped. Cassandra slowly lifted her head, uncertain she’d heard the vampire correctly.

“Y-you will?” she whispered faintly.

“Yes, and I will also permit you to remain in London under Lord Villar’s rule.” Her liquid almond-shaped eyes narrowed. “However, you shall both owe me a favor.”

Rafe squeezed Cassandra’s hands as he drew them both down to their knees. “Thank you, my lord. I will gratefully pay any debt in return for her life.”

“And I as well, for allowing me to remain with Rafe,” Cassandra told her. “Will you Change me now?”

The vampire shook her head. “No, I will do it tomorrow evening. I advise you to savor your last sunrise.”

One of the male Elders cleared his throat. “We must deal with the other one now.”

Cassandra tore herself from Rafe and approached the Elders. “Please, don’t kill him! It is my fault that he is here. There were too many wounded vampires and I needed his help.”

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