Page 179 of This Blood that Bonds Us

Their hair and bodies were covered in thick black smudges everywhere. My chest and my back were sticky.

William fell to his knees in front of Zach and made a long cut down his wrist with the dagger to drain the blood from his arm. With blood dripping, he brought it up to Zach’s mouth pouring it in.

“He’s . . .”

“Saving all you assholes. Someone’s gotta do it,” Will said.

“Will.”

“It’s fine, Thane.”

When the gash no longer produced blood, he’d cut another. Will’s hands were shaking, but he didn’t stop. He meticulously added his blood into my brother’s wounds. Next to him, sat Connell. His name finally came back to me. He was giving Luke blood and wrapping a cloth around one of his arms.

“Maybe we should help,” I said, trying to move my elbows.

“Fuck no. Lay down like I told you,” William snapped. “If your wound opens and yourpreciousblood spills out, you’re dead, and I’m the one who has to bury you and comfort your blubbering loved ones. Give your body time to close up that wound.”

“Nice to know you care.” I barely moved, and searing pain sent my chest on fire. “Ah . . . Ow.”

“Yeah, that’s what you get for shoving a dagger in your chest.”

“He’s right. You’d totally kill me if I did something like that,” Presley said.

I lay my head back on the tile and mustered a smile. It was nice to hear his voice return to normal. “Worth it.”

“I feel really tired,” Connell said.

“It’s fine. Stop. You’re going to need to help Thane carry Dom out of here,” Will said.

“What about you?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

Zach’s gasped echoed through to the ceiling. He moved to stand, but Will held him down.

“Hey, fucker. Enjoy your nap?” Will asked.

“Fuck you,” Zach said, then reached for Luke. “Luke. I have to help Luke.”

“I got it. Hold here. Do. Not. Move.”

Will could barely use his legs anymore. It was agonizing watching. Something burned in my chest when I tried to move again, and I winced.

Will spun around. “Aaron fucking Calem, listen to me for once in your life.”

“Let me help.” Presley grabbed Will’s arm to help him over.

“No. You’re going to need your legs to carry some of the others out. You’ll all need blood fast.”

Every second, I saw more. Felt more. Life was coming back to me. Kimberly’s scent filled my nostrils.

“Hey, Mrs. Calem,” I said, trying to reach her face and wipe the tears from her eyes. “I’m sorry I scared you.”

She grabbed my hand and stared back at me with her blue eyes and a strained smile. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m here.”

Thane appeared with Dom draped across his arm. “I’ve got Dom. I need to take him. But . . .”