Page 12

T he Sanguis Vitae had drained so much of Apollo's blood that he had begun to hallucinate. That was the only answer he could think of because Lachlan Ironwood just came through the door of the hellish lab he had been stuck in for hours.

Apollo had woken to the aftershock of whatever sound weapon that bitch Bellerose had used on him.

He had been strapped to the table in only his underwear. Doctors with masks had hooked him up to an IV bag filled with fuck knew what in one arm, and then they had started draining him.

"T-Told you…he would come…" Apollo said and let out a tired laugh.

Lachlan's face hovered above him. He looked so beautiful, even splattered with blood. "Apollo! I'm going to get you out of here. Just hold on. Watch the door and tell me if anyone comes through."

"So pretty," Apollo murmured. Maybe he was dying. He didn't mind so much if he got to look at Lachlan first.

"Gods, what have these fucking monsters been doing to you?" Lachlan cursed.

He undid the straps on his feet and hands before he began to pull the needles out of him. Apollo winced with every single sharp pinch. Lachlan reached into his satchel and pulled out the clothes Apollo had abandoned hours ago.

"They are dirty, but I need to get you covered," Lachlan said, starting to dress Apollo like a baby. Do you know what they have been feeding into you?"

Apollo shook his head. "I can't… I don't think I can walk."

"It's okay. I got you, baby," Lachlan said and hefted him over one shoulder. "Just tell me if anyone is coming up behind me."

Apollo's stomach heaved dangerously as Lachlan started hurrying down the halls. A shadowy figure appeared through the blur of tears in Apollo's eyes.

"Someone there," he said, and Lachlan turned in a quick move. Apollo didn't see what he did, but Lachlan turned back just as quickly and kept jogging. There was a lump on the floor where the other person had been.

Apollo must have passed out for a few minutes because when he came to, he was in darkness. Lachlan shone a torch in his face, and Apollo squinted.

"Good, you're back. Drink this," he said and tipped something into Apollo's mouth. He recognized the banana taste of one of his healing elixirs. His head started to clear, and energy surged through him.

"Fuccckkkk," Apollo gasped.

"It does have a kick. Lean on me. We need to get moving. Those bastards would have to have some kind of alarms going off by now," Lachlan said and slung an arm around Apollo's waist. The floor they were walking on was dry for now, thank the gods.

"How did you find me?" Apollo asked, his mouth too dry and his legs still too weak.

"Layla tracked you from one of the airports, and we went from there," Lachlan said. He was all but carrying Apollo still. He held out his phone with a map in his other hand. "I'll tell you everything once we get out of here. There's an entrance not much further ahead."

Apollo didn't feel like he was fully in his body.

He didn't know what chemicals were swirling about him, but he was weak and dizzy.

He was almost passing out when Lachlan helped him up an ancient iron ladder and out onto a side street.

He didn't know what part of Paris he was in, but it was a dark afternoon.

He whimpered as cold drops of rain splashed against his overheated skin.

Lachlan carried him to a rental car and tucked him into the back seat. "Just lay down there. I've got you."

Apollo curled into a tight ball and tried not to vomit as Lachlan drove through twisting streets and traffic.

"Where are we going? The family has an apartment here," Apollo said, his thoughts too scattered to remember the address.

"Yeah. About that. Your family is still back in Ireland. We are going to a hotel that's safe for hunters."

"They didn't come for me?"

"They wanted to." Lachlan reached back and touched his shoulder. "Just rest. I'll tell you everything soon."

Apollo dozed until he realized the car had stopped. The back door opened, and Lachlan helped Apollo get out. His vision was blurry again, but Lachlan didn't let him stumble.

They went through a back entrance to the hotel and a service elevator that Lachlan had a swipe card for. A man dressed in a burgundy uniform spotted them and raised a brow.

"Monsieur Ironwood, do you require assistance?" he asked.

"Just helping a friend after a rough night. I'll call with a food order when I get him settled," Lachlan replied and the man only nodded.

"They do know you here," Apollo said. He rested his face against Lachlan's shoulder.

"Stay with me. We are almost there," Lachlan replied and held him closer to his side. Lachlan smelled so good, even after being in the catacombs.

Lachlan got Apollo into a room and settled him down on the closed lid of a toilet. "Are you okay to sit there for a moment?"

Apollo nodded, his head starting to ache. Gods, he was so tired. Lachlan ran a bath and ducked out of the bathroom. He came back with a bottle of water and a thick robe.

"Can you get in the bath, or do you want me to help?" he asked.

Apollo had a few mouthfuls of water, and it helped clear his head a little. "I will be fine, Lachlan. I don't need you washing my back for me."

"I'm still leaving the door open, and I want you to call for help if you need it," Lachlan growled.

Apollo nodded, and Lachlan left him alone. His body still felt awkward and heavy as he pulled his clothes off and climbed into the warm water. Apollo leaned back against the tub, put his hands over his face and sobbed.

"How can I help?" Lachlan asked softly.

"I…I want my big brother," Apollo sniffed.

When he was young, Apollo would always run to Valentine to help him kill the monsters under his bed. Now, he had real ones, and he wanted his brother more than anything to come and kill them all.

"I'll find him for you, Apollo. He should already be in Paris. I'll get him here as soon as I can."

"Lachie?" Apollo whispered, not turning around. "Thank you for coming for me."

"I got you. Now and always," Lachlan said, and that just made Apollo cry harder.