Page 70 of The Vampire Debt

Elise cries out, a sound more of surprise than pain.

My head lists to the side, my energy completely spent. Glittering pools of blood form under my arm. Lethargically, I lift my gaze to see a pair of men’s legs. I look up, up, up to Alaric standing over me, holding Elise by the arm, his eyes are locked on mine, taking in my state.

The red ring that appears around his irises when he smells blood, has swallowed the pools of blue entirely. His face distorts in a look of pure rage as he finally turns to her.

Alaric slams her against the wall, his hand moving to her neck. “You dare to be so bold inmyhouse?”

She whimpers, her fingers clawing weakly at his hands.

He will kill her. I’m sure of it.

“You are only a servant and yet you think you can take matters that affect me into your own hands,” he snarls, and even from here I can see his long fangs as he speaks.

“I did it for you…” she says, tears streaming down her face. The mad woman from only moments ago is gone and left in her place is a woman whose heart is breaking. “That bitch would have killed you.”

Alaric’s eyes narrow. “Do you think me so weak as to be so easily killed?”

“I-I did this for you.” Her arms fall limply to her side. “I love you.”

“You will die for your transgressions.” He tilts her head to the side, exposing her neck. Her words go unheeded. He readies himself then sinks his fangs into her.

“No,” I croak. I reach out for him, but I’m not close enough to stop him, and I’m too weak to get up. “Alaric…” He stiffens at the sound of his name. “Don’t kill her.”

He turns to me, bemused. Blood leaks from two puncture wounds in Elise’s neck, but she doesn’t move, as if she’s waiting for him to continue.

“Please… don’t kill her,” I say. I have every reason to not plead for her life, every reason to want him to end her. But I can’t lie here and watch this.

His eyes narrow as if he’s questioning my sanity. Then to my surprise, he takes a step back and releases her. Elise slumps to her hands and knees.

“Go,” he says, baring his teeth at her. “If you ever return, I will not be so lenient.”

A pitiful sob breaks from her lips as she stands. Elise takes one step toward Alaric but he turns his back on her. She buries her fists in the folds of her skirt then hurries out of the door.

Alaric is at my side in a blink. “Clara…” he says.

He looks as if he has a million things to say but can’t put his thoughts into words. Alaric rips the sleeves of my shirt and wraps my arms to stanch the bleeding. The red that had swallowed up his irises has diminished to a thin ring.

I smile up at him, and say, “I’m all right.”

He laughs derisively.

When he finishes with the makeshift bandages, he lifts me up into his arms and cradles me against his chest.

I nearly fall asleep before we reach my room.

My eyes fly open as he shifts me, my hands gripping onto his shirt. Alaric pauses his movements, giving me time to realize he’s only setting me into my bed.

There’s a rapid fluttering and Cherno appears on his shoulder, looking at me as if the animal can understand and is able to assess the situation.

Once settled, Alaric sits on the edge of the mattress and takes one of my hands in both of his. I know he has questions, but I am in no state to answer, though he can piece it together well enough.

He’s quiet for a long time, but I don’t mind. The feel of his fingers caressing my hand is relaxing and I feel safe.

“I’m sorry, we cannot heal this. The wounds were made with night-forged silver, which oppose our powers. It will take everything just to stop the bleeding so it can begin to heal.”

I give him a weak smile. “Thank you.”

“I had not meant to place you in harm’s way,” he says.