Page 99 of Twilight Destiny

Ten minutes later, she closed her eyes as Saintcrow wrapped his arm around her waist.

When she opened them again, they were standing in front of the hospital.

“Do you want me to go in with you?”

“If you don’t mind.”

Time seemed to move in slow motion as Rosa signed in to the hospital, had her picture taken, produced her ID. She didn’t know what vampire voodoo Saintcrow used, but no one seemed to notice him as they made their way upstairs to the Intensive Care Unit.

The family was in the waiting room, except for her mother and Micah, who were in her father’s room, and Sofia and Holly, who were home at rest.

“Ethan, what happened?” Rosa asked anxiously.

“I’m not sure. I think he had a heart attack. They took some tests. We’re waiting for the results.” Ethan looked at Saintcrow. “Any chance you can help?”

Saintcrow shrugged. “You don’t need me. You gave him your blood once before. No reason why it won’t work this time.”

“Have you talked it over with Mom?” Rosa asked.

“Not yet. I figured if she wanted me to help, she’d ask.”

“Maybe she’s too upset to think about it.”

“Maybe,” Ethan agreed. “They’re only letting us in two at a time. I’ll send Micah out and take his place and talk to Mom.”

“If she’s in favor, Ethan, just do it,” Angela said. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”

She had barely spoken the words when the call Code Blue came over the loud-speaker.

Rosa bit down on her lower lip. Was that for her father? Were they too late?

Moments later, Micah and Lena returned to the waiting room. Lena leaned heavily on Micah, her eyes brimming with tears.

Looking at Ethan, Rosa mouthed the word, “Go!”

Ethan drifted into the ICU. Several doctors were clustered around Luciano, trying to revive him. Exerting his supernatural power, he mesmerized the doctors and nurses, then materialized beside the bed. He bit into his wrist and held it to his father-in-law’s mouth, letting his blood drip onto the old man’s tongue, stroking his throat in an effort to make him swallow.

Ethan swore softly as he closed the wounds in his wrist. It wasn’t working. He was about to call Saintcrow when the master vampire appeared beside hm.

“He’s pretty far gone,” Saintcrow said. “But maybe I can help.”

He bit into his wrist and held it to Luciano’s lips. “Drink!” he commanded, and although his voice was little more than a whisper, it resonated within the room.

Ethan watched his father-in-law’s face as the master vampire’s dark red blood dripped steadily into his mouth. In moments, a hint of color returned to the old man’s face, his heart began to beat slow and steady. Five minutes passed, and Luciano’s breathing returned to normal.

“That should do it,” Saintcrow said, licking the punctures in his wrist.

Ethan freed the doctors and nurses from his thrall and the two vampires vanished from the room before anyone knew they had been there.

The family was ecstatic when the doctor came into the waiting room thirty minutes later. “It’s a miracle,” the surgeon said. “I can’t explain it, but his heart rate is as strong as that of a twenty-year old. There’s no blockage, no damage.” He shook his head. “He’s resting comfortably. You’ll be able to visit him as soon as he’s transferred from ICU to another room.”

There were hugs and tears all around.

Rosa glanced at Saintcrow, who stood a little apart from everyone else. Say what you wanted about vampires, she mused. They could be cruel, they lived on the blood of others, but her family owed Ethan and Saintcrow a life debt they could never repay.

She smiled at Saintcrow as he ambled toward her.

“Ready to go home?” he asked quietly.