Page 109 of Bitten Vampire

He squeezes my hand. “We will manage.” He pats Harrison’s arm as we climb inside. “Thanks for picking me up and keeping Fred safe.”

In the car, I lean against him. His arms tighten around me, and I feel safe, even though I’m already worrying about tomorrow. I consider forcing another vision, but it isn’t worth the risk. If I rest now, perhaps my power will recharge before we go back to court.

Maybe. This magic stuff is bloody complicated.

Chapter Forty-One

The worst thing happens.Bloody sod’s law. I don’t know whether it’s performance anxiety or fate refusing to cooperate, but the next evening, as soon as the sun sets and I try to have a vision, nothing happens. I worry this power is going to drive me insane.

Why isn’t it working?

“I should find more self-help podcasts,” I grumble to James as he walks past.

If we survive, I might even try meditation. I’ve never been more terrified, and every time I say that, something else goes horribly wrong.

I really must learn not to tempt fate.

Baylor, curled at my feet, sneaks out his tongue and licks my ankle. He ate something that smelled suspiciouslylike fox poo on our walk, and his breath is minging. I wrinkle my nose at the rapidly drying spit.

James hands me his bottle of hand sanitiser. “Thank you,” I say as I douse my leg and give it back.

“Did you know there are vampire podcasts? Actual podcasts made for vampires. Of course, they’re not on human channels, and it takes a vampire with far too much time on his hands to know where to find them.”

I stare at James, utterly flabbergasted. “This is… this is amazing.”

“I know,” he whispers back.

I grab my phone, and with his help, I find and start downloading the app as though my life depends on it.

He clears his throat. “So… any updates on your oracle thing? Do we know what’s happening tonight?”

“No. My power is on the fritz.”

He plonks himself beside me and whips out his tablet. “It says here that oracles can burn out if they overdo it. You’ve probably drained your magical reserves. Maybe we could try a circle, like you are doing with the stake?”

I lift my eyes from my phone and fix him with a look. “The stake.”

“Yeah, it’s sentient, right? Just like your talking house. You’re not telling me it was you who went all vampire hunter on those human assassins. Simone said you couldn’t fight for shit. I watched the footage back, and when it was over, you sat on the steps and cried.”

“Bloody Sherlock Holmes,” I mumble. “The stake is going to be furious when she finds out everyone knows about her. She’s very… stabby-stabby.”

He shrugs. “She must like us. That’s why she protected us from the assassins. We’re clearly the good guys.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Ah, because I’m right.” He gives me that infuriatingly smug look.

I give him my best unimpressed stare.

“My life’s not ending because a sentient stake decides I’m a bad guy.”

“Well, you were a bad guy when we first met. She was dying to stab you.”

“Yeah, but I’m not now, am I? I’m a great guy once you get to know me.”

I roll my eyes. “Sure, James.”

“So, what are you planning to do?”