Page 111 of Obsidian and Frost

Hated him flailing.

Not being himself.

“You should have fucking told me,” I gritted out, fighting to keep my anger at this secret of his in check, as I knelt down at his side to examine the damage.

“Told you what?” he croaked.

“You’re sick, Sylas.”

He frowned. “I just overexerted myself and—”

“Spare me the bullshit party line. Iknow.”

“You can’t. I cloaked the—Cassius… he told you?”

“Ding. Ding. Ding. Yes, you fucking cocksucker.”

His lips quirked, somehow in spite of it all. “You know how I take that as a compliment. And a come-on.”

“Seriously? Right now? When you’re hurt and clearly in pain?”

“Why not?” A laugh burst from him, but it quickly turned into him choking, then wheezing.

“Stop. Just shut the fuck up and let me see to you.”

He moved to argue, because of course he did, but then he jolted and twisted on the ground, crying out.

Frantically, I took him in.

His split cheek courtesy of Rennick’s fucking rings, bruising around his jaw and cheekbone, his right eye already swelling. His leather coat was scorched, his shirt was soaked in blood. More blood was splattered across his chin from where he’d been choking it up.

He hadn’t made a move to sit up at all, which didn’t bode well.

I listened carefully.

His pulse was weak. Far too weak. It was also thready, which was a sign of both blood loss and internal injury.

His breathing was shallow and uneven, indicating pain with inhalation—a classic sign of cracked or severely bruised ribs.

I listened harder and made out the sound of subtle creaking and grinding. Yeah, definitely broken ribs.

No.Worse. There was… a wetness to each breath. A rattle just beneath the ribs. A lung—punctured by splintered bone.

Shit.

“I need to heal you now,” I said, ripping off my right tactical glove, then dropping my fangs.

“Just… need… my house.”

“You’re kidding? I can’t move you like this. The toll that vamp speed could take on your body while you’re like this… no fucking way.”

“You don’t… understand.”

“You hate weakness, I get it. Believe me. But you’re gonna have to suck it up.” I tore into my wrist with my fangs, opening a vein for him. “Besides, my blood has one hell of a kick to it thanks to my father’s side, so thatweaknessyou hate will only be temporary.”

I shoved my wrist toward him and our eyes locked.

Fucking intensely.