Page 76 of A Dream of Stars and Curses

The air shifts next to me, and I turn my head away from Kate. Leverett looks distraught as he takes in my wounds.

‘Esta—’ He reaches out for me but stops himself and takes a step away. I will him to hold me, but he doesn’t come closer. His eyes are dark storms. ‘Are you alright?’

Kate gives him a look that says I’m obviously not, but I nod and throw myself into his arms. I thought I was dead. He will hug me, damn it.

He doesn’t exactly recoil from me, but he doesn’t instantly hug me back like I need him to, either. Then, slowly, his grip around my middle and shoulders tightens until he seems to be holding on to me for dear life.

‘Where is she?’ He growls into my ear. ‘I will tear her apart for this.’

My eyes burn at the raw emotion in his voice. He may not love me, but he cares about me. Thanks to everything Chiara did to me, I now know that it can be enough.

I shake my head but hiss when the wound stings.

‘Is Bonnie...?’

Kate shakes her head, but her smile gives me hope. ‘She was on her way when we left to get you. I asked her to stay at home and wait for us to return. It would have taken her time Leverett and I didn’t want to waste to get back, and neither of us was sure what we’d find here. We didn’t want to put her in danger.’

My heart warms that Bonnie came home for me.

‘Thank you for—’ I want to thank Kate for calling Bonnie and not bringing her here, but the adrenaline is starting to wear off. The world blurs. I fall against Leverett when I don’t feel my legs for a moment.

He catches me, and together with Kate, he eases me to the ground.

I’m faintly aware of Kate rummaging through a bag next to me. ‘I thought you might be hurt, so I whipped up a quick potion before we left. It’s not much, I’m afraid, but we didn’t want to wait too long. I can make you something stronger when you’re home.’

I let her pour it into my mouth and swallow like a good patient. It’s revolting. I don’t even know what it tastes of, just... herbs and bitterness. I guess it’s better than bleeding out, though.

Kate chuckles. ‘I’m afraid I don’t have anything to take the taste away. It will prevent the wound from becoming infected and will fight any infection that might already have begun to fester.’

I give her a questioning look. The world slowly comes into focus again around her.

‘It doesn’t look infected, no. But you should still move slowly until we can get your wound cleaned and treated.’

Leverett hasn’t stopped staring at the puncture marks, assuming he can see them under all that blood.

‘Are you okay?’ I ask. My voice sounds quieter than I’d like, but I’m feeling stronger every minute. Whatever Kate gave me, it’s good shit. Disgusting, but good.

I can’t read his expression for a moment. Then whatever it was falls away, and concern replaces it. He takes my hand, a faint smile on his lips.

‘Am I okay? Don’t worry about me.’ His smile disappears. ‘I’m sorry she did this to you. I’m sorry a vampire put you through this.’

The look on his face and his initial reaction are starting to make sense. Is he wondering if I’m afraid of him now?

I squeeze his hand as much as I can. ‘I don’t blame you, if that’s what you’re thinking. I know you wouldn’t...’

Words fail me. Safe with my friends, the adrenaline has well and truly worn off, and exhaustion is starting to set in.

‘Let’s talk later,’ Kate says. ‘I’ll get you home, and Leverett can... deal with Chiara.’

I shake my head again. ‘No.’ I remember how she fell down the stairs, and my stomach churns. ‘I mean, she’s... I don’t know if...’

Kate takes my other hand. It’s odd to feel so vulnerable and so safe at the same time.

‘What did she do?’

But I don’t have to explain it myself. An outraged laugh rings through the air somewhere from my left.

‘What did I do?’ Chiara snaps. ‘You should be asking her that!’

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