Page 28 of Sweeter than Honey

My eyes widen. “What…what happened?”

“We were attacked,” she says, her voice low with calm rage. “I don’t know by who, but one of them used magic to injure you.”

“I thought…how am I still alive?” I ask her. “What happened to your wrist?”

“I gave you some of my blood,” she explains. “It was the only way to save you.”

“Your…yourblood?” I touch my lips with the tips of my fingers. I can still taste it in my mouth. But instead of being disgusted, like I should probably feel, it’s strangely…intimate. There’s a tingly feeling in my stomach. “It doesn’t taste like blood…”

“Vampire blood isn’t like human blood,” she says. “It has healing abilities. Luckily I’m very old, and my blood was powerful enough to heal your injuries, even though they were extensive. How are you feeling now?”

“I’m all right, I think,” I reply. I’m a little dopey, like I’ve had a glass or two of wine.

And I feel…a bitdifferent. It’s hard to explain. But when I look at Renata, it’s like I…like I canfeelher, somehow, in my veins. Like we’re connected in a way we weren’t before.

“Does vampire blood…” I ask, not even sure what I’m saying. “Does it make us…?”

“It has many properties,” she replies, quickly. “It might make you feel…strange, around me. I’m sorry that I had to do it, I should have asked you…”

“No, no,” I reply. “I’m glad you did it. Thank you, for saving my life.”

“You saved me first,” she says, a flash in her eyes. Then her voice becomes a little more stern. “Lily, listen to me. You must never do that again, do you understand? Witches are extremely powerful…”

“That was a witch? But I thought that the witches and the vampires got along? What about the conference?”

Renata frowns. “I’m not sure who that was. They were wearing amask, and I couldn’t recognize them. I tried to call for backup, but they must have cast a spell to jam the signals on this floor. I’ve never seen anything like it.” She shakes her head angrily. “Inevershould have let you come up here with me. I put you in harm’s way.”

My face feels a little warm, and I’m not sure if it’s the vampire blood. For a moment, she bends down, like she’s about to reach for me. But then she stops herself.

“I’ll call for a medical team,” she says. “To check you out, and get you out of this hallway.”

“That’s ok,” I say, wiggling my fingers. “I think I’m all right…better than all right, actually.”

As the haziness dissipates, I find I actually feel…awesome. Like drinking three red bulls in a row, but without that weird aftertaste. I give her what I hope is an encouraging smile.

She looks like she’s going to ask me something, then she changes her mind. “Well, at least let me help you up,” she says, holding out her hand.

I take it. It’s the first time we’ve ever touched. Her fingers are chilly, but not in a strange way. There’s a little tingle along my spine. Her skin is soft, but her grip is strong and she easily pulls me to my feet.

Maybe it’s the blood, or maybe it’s the near-death experience, but I find myself saying something I usually wouldn’t. “What…what were you going to ask me?”

“When?”

“Just now, before you helped me up.”

“I was going to ask if you wanted me to…” she begins, then she pauses. “Nothing. It was inappropriate.”

I swallow. I’ve never seen her like this. She seems a little…ruffled.

“We should go back downstairs,” she continues, her voice a shade more professional. “I’ll call a medical team regardless, to make sure you’re all right, and of course I’ll arrange some new clothes and for a driver to take you home.”

“That’s not…”

“Itisabsolutely necessary,” she says with an assertive nod. “You’ll have the rest of the week off, and more, if you need it, to ensure you’re completely healed.”

“I’m really fine,” I tell her. “I’m sure I look like a mess though.”

“You lookperfect,” Renata responds.