My wrist keeps healing faster and faster the more I bite into it, so I finally just take a long draw of blood into my mouth, then part his lips more before I deliver it that way without our lips touching.
He’ll probably mock me for this when he wakes up and I start yelling at him.
It’s a slow process to deliver the amount of blood he needs, but my blood is so much stronger and will heal him faster than packaged blood. Hopefully there’s packaged blood, because I’m going to need it for myself by the time I’m done.
The long hours pass with the speed of a snail race. It gives me too much time to really take him in. I grab a shirt from the ground and toss it over his middle, ensuring I don’t get distracted by anything down there.
It also makes me feel like less of a perv, as I look over the rest of him. So many scars crisscross. What can leave scars like this on an immortal? Certainly the harbingers didn’t do all of this to him.
Kya talking about his damage makes my mind wander down dark paths, understanding his burning need for revenge.
I just hate that he wants to give his life to these people, letting them take that too.
My fingers run through his bloody hair, like I’m soothing him as he peacefully sleeps, no longer in danger of bleeding out completely.
The sun is starting to come up by the time his last wound seals shut, and I weakly lift myself, stumbling toward the fridge, leaving his side for the first time all night. Thankfully, there is packaged blood, and I grab five, sliding to the ground when standing becomes too difficult.
I’ve practically drained myself to replenish him. Bright side, I think I now know the most effective way to stave off my addiction. Drain my blood, and I forget all about my power hungry madness.
I’m practically moaning as I drink the blood from the pack, sucking it dry before moving onto the next one, my eyes watching his chest as it rises and falls with stronger breaths.
By the time I finish off the fifth pack, I have a headache, but I’m strong enough to stand again.
Someone knocks at the door, and I go to answer it, finding Kya standing there. “Your family was freaking out trying to find you, so I sort of lied and told them you were pissed at them for using you as a distraction for Slade.”
“What?” I ask, confused, wondering if the headache is the reason for my befuddlement, or if it was her random words.
Her eyes widen. “Oh, I figured Slade would have told you. Is that not why he came to find you? How did you two end up here if he didn’t go there to say something mean then punish himself by attacking the woods?” she whispers, acting as though no one else is allowed to know.
I open the door wide, letting her see Slade is still on the ground, then close it back to where only I can be seen.
“I just finished healing him.”
Her eyes widen again. “How are you still standing?”
“He’s going to need more blood in his fridge, because I’m about to use the last two to see if I can rid myself of my headache. So why did my family trick me into going into the forest to distract Slade?”
She rolls her eyes. “Because he’s been too obvious with following you around and saving you, and they’re wisely using that information to their benefit. It’s still shitty.”
“Very, but I get their mindset. However, feel free to tell them I’m too pissed to return home right, but ensure them I’m safe so they don’t come looking for me,” I go on. “I’m going to clean him up. He’s got blood all over him.”
“That’s the norm,” she states on autopilot. “But just so we’re clear, you’re the one technically betraying their trust with this lie and not me, right?”
“Actually, I’m simply returning the favor. What’d they get for tricking me into the woods to hang out with a sociopathic incubus?”
“Gavin,” she says, glancing around.
Grimacing, I say, “I bet that’s why Slade was so pissed in the woods then. Not whatever it is you said to him. You seemed upset about that earlier.”
“Sure,” she says. “I’m sure it was just them getting Gavin,” she nervously tacks on, looking around at anything but me.
“Is there something else?” I prod.
“I need to get back before Chaz starts looking for me and ends up finding you. I’m going to have to tell him where you are, but—”
“Chaz doesn’t get to know either. Last I checked, he kept plenty of secrets from me,” I remind her. “I’ll be home soon. It’s not like I’m leaving the country.”
I shut the door on her before she can argue, and I turn to face Slade again, going to collect a bowl, some warm water, and some soap.