Page 48 of Medium

Cal put his hand on Rory’s back. “Did you feel dizzy or anything afterward? Thirsty or hungry?”

Rory shook his head. “No.” He opened his eyes. “What does that mean?”

Cal patted Rory’s back and moved to stand next to Greg again. “Probably only that he didn’t take very much blood.”

I winced. Cal could’ve been a little more diplomatic. Rory looked like he was trying not to get sick again. I turned hishand in mine and interlaced our fingers. He shuddered, so I pulled him into a hug.

“Thanks,” he said, his voice catching on a sob. “I don’t know why I’m so upset. I just feel....”

“Violated?” Shane said softly from behind me. “Like someone else had more control over your body than you did?”

“Yeah.” Rory tightened his arms around me. Then he lifted his head and said, “It’s not your fault, Grandfather.” He grimaced. “He’s blaming himself because he didn’t come with me to the apartment.”

Shane put his hand on the small of my back, well below Rory’s arms. It might’ve been the first time he’d voluntarily touched me all day. I was getting concern for Rory through the bond, but not much else. “I’m glad he wasn’t there. We don’t know what the vampires are capable of. If they can take away your memories, who’s to say they can’t see ghosts? Maybe harm them in some way?”

Rory nodded. “That’s what the ghosts at the cemetery were afraid of.” He breathed in and out, then patted my back and pulled out of the hug. “Thanks.”

Shane dropped his hand too, and I felt alone. Cut off, like Thomas Baird.

“Anytime,” I said.

I don’t know how long we’d stood there, but when I turned around, Greg was standing outside the passenger door to their SUV, and I could just make out Cal inside with the seat tilted back. He must’ve been calling a vision.

Rory finished off his water then strode toward the garbage bin next to Thomas Baird’s garage.

Shane gasped, and I whirled to face him. “What?”

He looked from Rory to me. To my stomach. I glanced down.

Oh, shit.

Rory and I had formed a connection. A strong one.

“Shane, I didn’t mean to....” I waved helplessly at the shimmering band coming out of my body. Coming from the exact same place my only slightly brighter bond with Shane emerged.

“I know.” He was blocking his emotions from the bond again. He turned away, blinking rapidly, his trembling lips pressed together. I reached for him, but he moved to the farthest point the bond would allow to avoid me.

Cal got out of the car, and Shane started down the driveway toward him. I trudged behind, worried and miserable.

Cal saw us and shook his head. “I couldn’t get a vision to come. I’ll give it another go when I get home.”

“Okay, thanks for trying.” I shoved my hands into my pockets. “Uh, I guess we’re headed to Mineral Wells now to see if Pia likes the dryads there.” I glanced over to where she was standing on the sidewalk, petting Ms. Jackson while Manny and Rory hung out next to them.

Shane cleared his throat. “I get the feeling she’s not excited about going to live with strangers.”

“Understandable.” Greg put his hand around Cal’s waist and leaned into him. Then he straightened. “What... when did this happen?” He pointed at my stomach, then at Rory.

Shit.

Cal looked back and forth. “Holy fuck. I may not be used to seeing connections yet, but I don’t know how I missed that one. I guess y’all are in a triad?” He snapped his fingers. “That’s why your bond doesn’t look right! You’re missing your third!”

I twisted my hands together and glanced at Shane, who was staring at the ground. A muscle popped out along his jaw. “Uh, no. The connection wasn’t intentional, and Shane isn’t, uh, interested.”

Cal shifted awkwardly. “Oh. Sorry.”

Rory walked over. “Did you get anything from your vision?” His skin wasn’t as pale as earlier, so hopefully he was feeling better.

Cal gave him a pained smile. “No. I’ll try again in a while, once Greg and I get home.”