Page 17 of Burn Falls

“Your keys, sweetheart.”

“Purse,” she mumbled.

“Can you get them for me? I kinda have my hands full.”

She blinked up at me with her beautiful green eyes. “You’re carrying me.”

I nodded slightly. “I am.”

“But I’m heavy.”

“You weigh nothing to me.” That was the truth.

“Right,” she mumbled again and started to close her eyes once more.

“Calla, you really need to get me your keys and then invite me in so I can tuck you into bed.”

Her eyes flicked opened again, and after she stared at me for a beat, she rooted around in her purse and brought her hand out clutching her keys.

I took the keys from her hand. “I want to make sure you can get up to your room in one piece. Can I come in?” Even though I’d just told her she needed to invite me in, I wasn’t certain she’d remember the most important part of me entering her home. She may not be the owner of the house, but there was some vampire law that allowed anyone who was residing in the home for a long period of time to invite a vampire in.

She sighed. “Yes.”

I opened the door, then closed it silently behind me hoping to not wake her family. There was a light on the table in the living room, and I noticed a night light at the top of the stairs. Not that I needed them. “Where am I going?”

“Up the stairs, second bedroom on the right.” She pressed her head against my chest again, but this time muttered, “How fucking embarrassing.” I smiled as I carried her up the stairs. Her door was already open, so I walked inside and laid her down on the plush bed.

“Thank you for getting me home safely.”

“You’re welcome. Do you need anything before I go? A glass of water maybe?”

“I just want to sleep.” She rolled over to face the opposite way.

“Okay. Let’s get you under the blankets then.” I helped remove her shoes and then lifted the comforter until it was lying over her.

“Night, Calla.” I kissed her forehead.

“Night, Draven.”

I left her keys on her nightstand, and then zipped downstairs so I didn’t make any more noise. After doing a quick sweep, because I didn’t know if the vampire that attacked Miles had gotten one of her family members to invite him in or not, I locked the bottom lock of the front door and shut it behind me.

As I drove toward my house, I thought about the evening and everything that had transpired. Miles needed to be taken off of life support because, once he was dead, the vampire’s motive would be revealed.

I was certain of it.

CHAPTER FIVE

“Calla!”

I groaned as I faintly heard my name.

“Calla!” The sound of my mother’s voice echoed in my pounding head. “Calla, speak to me!”

“What?” I snapped, causing my head to hurt even more.

“Why aren’t you at the hospital with your father?”

I bolted upright but quickly groaned as the blood whooshed around my brain.