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“Wounded, but alive,” Jeff answered, and smiled at her.

Samantha's eyes welled with tears and her clammy little hand held on to him tighter. “We have to get out of here. ”

“We're trying.

”

Sergio ducked back into the room and shook his head. “They're not moving. ”

Amaliya opened up her eyes slowly. A sensation like a frozen silk scarf being yanked over his flesh sent chills down Jeff's back as she withdrew her power.

“Fuck. ”

“You tried, Amal,” her grandmother said in a consoling voice.

“I'm weak,” Amaliya said. “I need to feed soon to be strong enough to face him. ”

Jeff knew he wasn't the only one who froze. He swallowed hard and looked toward Sergio and Innocente. They were looking at each other with uneasy expressions. Jeff rubbed his hand lightly over Samantha's trembling fingers.

“Feed her,” Samantha whispered through her dry lips.

“Huh?” Sergio exclaimed with a double take.

“She's our only hope. To get out. She needs to be strong enough to face him if Cian. . . if Cian can't. ” Samantha was looking worse and Innocente gently rubbed the girl's wrist.

“I can feed just enough to make myself strong. I have that control. Cian taught me,” Amaliya said after an very tense moment of utter quiet.

“I'm game if you'll give Samantha some of your blood,” Jeff said after careful consideration. He knew vampire blood could suspend Samantha's life.

“Eww,” Samantha uttered.

“What will that do? Make her a vampire?” Amaliya looked uneasy.

“No. Give her some of your blood and. . . ” he hesitated. “Lick her wound. ”

“Double eww,” Samantha whispered.

“I'm kinda with her on this,” Amaliya said with some distaste.

“It will make the wound heal and keep her alive,” Jeff said in a firm voice. “Just like Cian kept Roberto alive for a hundred years with his blood. ”

“I don't want to be her servant,” Samantha protested.

“What she said,” Amaliya said.

“Just feed her once then,” Jeff said in a short tone. He knew Samantha was starting to fade fast as was their chance of getting out alive.

“Do it, Amal, if it will keep her alive,” Innocente urged.

“Yeah. Do it. Then you can have some of my blood,” Sergio decided. He folded his arms over his big chest. “Yeah. Do it. She came here to save you. ”

“Cian,” Samantha corrected. “I came to save Cian. ”

Amaliya slightly laughed at Samantha's comment. She knew the other woman couldn't stand her, but she rose to her feet. “Fine. But I can't promise you guys that I can beat The Summoner. ”

“No, but we don't have many options,” Jeff answered, and looked down at Samantha. He didn't want her to die.

Amaliya nodded and came over to them. Innocente took the dress, stood and spread out the skirt over their heads with her hands as a precaution against the sunlight. Under the makeshift umbrella, Amaliya leaned over Samantha.