Page 109 of Obsessed in Blood

“Can they talk?” I pointed my chin toward the vamps.

“No. Nor can they hear. Well, that’s not exactly correct. They can’t hear us; they’re currently listening to static white noise. It will give Devon the chance to sneak up undetected.”

“Did you release Devon?”

“Yes.”

“Do you know if Lucas got Hamilton out?”

“I don’t. Everyone has been radio silent.”

A soft gurgle from my right made me turn my head. A thin line of blood appeared at the neck of one of the vamps. And he disappeared with a pop. Then a second one, and a third.

“What’s happening?”

“Your vampire is removing the enemy from the playing field.”

With increasing speed, each vamp’s neck began to bleed, and then they disappeared with the same popping sound. I assumed that was an indication the vamps were being sucked out of the construct as Devon either maimed, or mostly likely, took their heads.

When the last one was gone, Colantha caught my gaze. “Prepare yourself. The pain will return.”

Then I was back on the beach, and I was screaming.

Devon staggered to me. “Let me see.”

I didn’t want him to touch my hand. I held it against my chest as I bent over and rocked in a vain attempt to lessen the agonizing pain.

“You need to get up. We need a place to hide in case Lorenzo sends more security.”

I glanced around and cringed at the number of displaced heads.

“I didn’t have a choice. The one that disappeared must have strong mental control to have escaped the construct. He used a rock.”

I didn’t respond, concerned I was going into shock. But I had to know. “I assume the boat left without us.”

“I checked the burner. The signal came in twenty minutes ago.”

Thank god. At least something went right.

“Any word from anyone else?”

“No. But there wouldn’t be.” He tried to get up, but his legs wouldn’t hold him. Then he pushed off again, wobbled, then steadied himself. He grabbed me under my armpits and lifted me, careful not to jostle my hand. I grimaced through the pain, not wanting to pass out.

We shuffled toward a group of rocks that were damp from sea spray but clear of standing water, and we fell onto a patch of sand. Devon leaned against a rock, and I snuggled as close as I could. The pain had subsided to a constant pounding. The occasional sharp pain, like someone driving a nail through my hand, brought tears and fogged my head. I lifted my good hand to swipe my hair back and noticed the slick fluid coating my hand.

I sat up, looking to see if my injured hand was bleeding. I felt along my bodysuit but didn’t feel any injuries, but when I pulled my hand away, it was stained red. I twirled to Devon.

“You’re injured.”

“It’s nothing.”

“Like hell. Not with this much blood. Where is it? Let me see.”

The pain in my hand was all but forgotten when I felt how wet his bodysuit was. It was more than wet, it was drenched. Way too much blood had been lost.

“You need blood.”

“I’ll be fine.”