Page 46 of Chain Me

Somewhere far from here because he doesn’t give a damn about me.

“We can try a hospital,” François suggested. “I know one beyond the network.”

“I need more than a hospital.” I shut my eyes in defeat.

There was no use in denying it. I finally let myself face one fact that had been gnawing at the edges of my psyche all this time. Dublin Helos, for whatever reason, hadn’t come breaking down the door. Had he finally washed his hands of me for good?

Or were my circumstances even more dire than I could comprehend?

“No one can find you here,” François said as if reading my mind. “Not evenhim. This place is protected. So was the crypt. Vampires can’t enter without permission.”

“How?” Perhaps Dublin’s loathing of my childhood playground had been based on more than annoyance? I shifted, attempting to sit unassisted. “It doesn’t matter. I need to find—”

“Honestly, Ms. Gray I shouldn’t take you anywhere. Or at least somewhere that isn’t safe.” His gaze darted toward the door again, and his hand brushed over the stashed knife.

“I’ll die,” I said, sounding eerily calm at the prospect. “Without Dublin, I’ll keep bleeding.” More liquid ran rivulets down my cheeks as if in emphasis. “Please.”

“Damn it!” His jaw clenched, François stood and lifted me into his arms without warning.

Despite his lanky frame, I felt secure. Enough that I went limp, conserving what little energy I had left.

“Close your eyes,” he demanded. “I’ve already broken one too damn many rules anyway. Just hold on to me.”

I complied, gritting my teeth as he raced forward, jostling my body in the haste. I could hear doors opening and closing, and eventually, the still atmosphere gave way to fresh night air.

“I hope you don’t mind if I’ve been using your car,” he muttered before he released me onto a surface that felt like the leather back seat of the Rolls.

I opened my eyes, noting the familiar interior, as François rushed into the driver’s seat. The car jolted into motion just as I realized one key fact. “I don’t know where—”

“I know,” François said without elaborating. “Everyoneknows where he is.”

Stunned, I could only watch the scenery change beyond the window, becoming brighter as the lights of the city replaced the manor’s overgrown grounds. Too bright.

You’re hallucinating,my inner voice warned as stars danced across my vision.Stay awake, Ellie…

When the car finally came to an abrupt stop, I knew I was dangerously close to fainting. Keeping my eyes open at all was a struggle, and I lacked the strength to open the door on my end.

I reached for the handle in vain. But then the entire structure vanished like magic. Or through violence—a monstrous sound resonated with the power of a bomb exploding. Crunching metal. Shattering glass. François’ startled shout.

But each terrifying noise faded the second I looked up into a pair of silver eyes glaring from the face of a monster. The sight of bared teeth and protruding fangs set every nerve in my body on end—but in a way more terrifying than fear.Relief.

“Dublin…” I didn’t even see the moment he reached for me.

I only knew that I was in his arms within the space of a heartbeat, trapped in a stony embrace.

We were near a deserted road. From beyond the cage of his arms, I saw a car door resting on its side, its window shattered. The rest of the car, however, remained whole. Alarmingly pale, François gaped from the wreckage, still buckled into the driver’s seat. Beyond him, I expected to find the looming façade of the high-rise—but this building was made of brick. Square. A warehouse of some kind?

Dublin offered no explanation. He moved so fast that I barely processed the layout of the building at all before I found myself thrown onto a soft surface.

“Look at me.” He gripped my chin, his eyes narrowing over my forehead. “Damn.”

Hissing, he withdrew something from his pants—a switchblade that expanded into a gleaming knife. With no hesitation, he drew the blade across his wrist and pressed the wound to my lips.

“I don’t even know if… Just drink.”

I flinched at his harsh tone—frozen with fury. Regardless, my lips parted on command.

And all thought faded as the taste of him hijacked my dulled senses.