Page 185 of Bitten & Burned

“Quil,” I rasped, barely more than a breath.

My lips trembled. The ache in my throat threatened to close again, but I forced the words through cracked lips.

“Quil…”

It wasn’t a plea.

Not really.

Not yet.

But it was a tether. A desperate, whispered thread cast outinto the darkness, hoping he’d feel it. Hoping he’d hear it. Through the bond.

Even from miles away. I hadn’t felt the others, not since I woke up. But I hoped against hope that was just on my end. That they could tell I was in trouble.

That they’d come.

QUIL

THUMP THUMP THUMP.

Someone was pounding on my head.

“Fucking stop…” I swiped my hand to knock them back, but met nothing but air.

“Is someone at the door?” Vael mumbled.

I frowned, sat up, and looked around. Pitch black. Where was I?

THUMP THUMP THUMP

“ROWENA?!”

I blinked. Right, right. I was in Rowena’s apartment. In her bed. With Vael. She was here.

Wasn’t she?

THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMPTHUMPTHUMP.

“ROWENAAA?!?1”

“Gods, get the blasted door,” Vael grumbled.

I got out of bed, shuffled to where I was pretty sure the door was, and opened it. Twilight seeped in through the windows, and Fig slipped in, began winding around my feet, yowling incessantly.

I stumbled to the front door and opened it, rubbing my eyes.

There, on the other side, stood a woman. Pink hair. Soft curves. Taller than Rowena, but still shorter than me.

“Oh!” She took a step back. “Sorry… I thought this was Rowena Marlowe’s apartment. I must be on the wrong floor… gods, I’m so sorry!”

“No, you got it right, it’s Rowena’s apartment,” I said, sniffing. “Who the fuck are you?”

“I could ask you the same,” she said haughtily, looking me up and down.

I groaned and sighed. “Sorry, I’m not great when I first wake up. I’m Quil. Ashborne, one of Rowena’s...”

“OH, you’re one of her vampire boys!”