Page 104 of The Tracker's Revenge

I pressed a hand to my forehead, feeling like I was in the heavy-duty cycle of a washing machine. My stomach tightened, seized by nausea. “I don’t know what’s happening.”

She backed away and sat at the edge of the chair opposite mine, attentive as if she expected me to topple face-first into the rug. She fiddled with her hair, wrapping it around a finger.

“Just rest until you feel better. There’s no hurry. It’s really safe here. It’s already been two days and no one has found us.”

Two days?! Witchlights!

What of our clients?

The jumbled mess of my trance rushed into my mind, reminding me what a failure it had been. I hadn’t the faintest idea about the whereabouts of Mekare’s mate. How could I tell Rosalina? I peered at her concerned expression. She hadn’t asked me about the trance. Her thoughtfulness knew no bounds.

I closed my eyes and reclined my head, taking deep breaths. We were silent for several minutes, and slowly, the dizziness passed.

When I opened my eyes Rosalina glanced away, pretending she hadn’t been watching me like a mother hen. Absently, she pulled out a cell phone from her back pocket, crossed her leg, and started scrolling.

I frowned. That didn’t look like one of the burner phones Eric had gotten us.

Making a disgusted sound in the back of her throat, she put the phone away. “The news is awful.”

“What happened?”

She waved her hand, acting as if she didn’t want to worry me with something so mundane.

“What, Rosalina?”

She heaved a heavy sigh. “There’s been a lot of unrest everywhere, but especially in Skew zones. The mayor has established a curfew, and a bunch of people were arrested. Last night, more than twenty Skews died at a dance club when a battle broke out between vamps and shifters. Apparently, rhabo has flooded the streets in the last few days. They’ve started an official death count, and they say more than five thousand vampires have died since rhabo hit the market.”

Five thousand vampires!

The drug had only been introduced about three months ago. That number was staggering, and there was no telling how many more had already tried the drug and would inevitably perish.

“If only Damien had found a way to make enough elixir for everyone,” Rosalina said, her green eyes clouding with sadness as she recalled the mage. “And we only have one more dose. I wish someone could use it to make more.”

I clenched my fists, my hatred toward Stephen and Bernadetta smoldering inside my chest.

“Maybe...” Rosalina started tentatively, her voice growing quiet. “Maybe we should give it to someone who can analyze it and figure out how it’s made. Maybe... maybe we should retrieve it.”

A hitch in her voice made me look up from the floor. There was something in her expression that seemed a little desperate. She cracked her fingers—something she never did.

I glanced around the room. My eyes paused on the glass of water on the night table. “Hmm, I... don’t think retrieving the elixir is a good idea.”

She rose to her feet. “We have to do something! We can’t let more people die. Those damn vamps are dropping like flies. It’s horrible.”

Damn vamps?!Rosalina had never referred to vampires with such contempt. Besides, wasn’t she talking about saving their lives?

Something was wrong. This person... she wasn’t... Rosalina.

“Yes,” I said, my hands trembling slightly. “You’re right. We’ll find someone to examine it. Maybe my sister, Daniella, knows a healer who specializes in that sort of thing. She knows...” I slowed my words and blinked lazily, “...a lot of people in the field.”

“Yes, that’s a great idea.” She smiled coldly.

I nodded, stood, and trudged to the bed. “I think I might lay down for a bit. I’m feeling dizzy again, and I can hardly think straight.”

She inclined her head in understanding and smiled, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “We should go as soon as you feel better.”

“We will, but the elixir is secure at the safe deposit box for now.”

“Yes, of course.”