Broken Dreams(143)

“Did you hurt your hand?” He took it gently and unwrapped the cloth from around it. “I see you’re still mad at me, ruining my favorite shirt and all.” I tried not to smile, but it was hopeless.

“Stop. I’m trying to be angry,” I mumbled.

“Well, love, you’re not trying hard enough. Now, let me see this.” He pulled my hand up and examined it. He stared at the blood that was trickling out of the gash in my hand.

I could see it was all he could do to hold himself back. He swallowed hard and moistened his lips. I knew he was ready for more. I pushed my hand at him, silently giving him the okay to have a taste. He pushed my hand away and shook his head.

“Well, it looks like you did a number on it. You could probably use a stitch or two.” I dropped my hand down to my side, and tried to hide it behind my back. I was so embarrassed about my behavior. Plus, I didn’t understand why he wouldn’t take what he needed.

He tore off a strip of his t-shirt that I had wrapped around it. “Here, let me see it again.” With hesitation, I gave him my hand, and he tied the strip of fabric around it. “Now, let’s go back downstairs and get this cleaned up so it doesn’t get infected.” He turned to leave, but I didn’t move.

“Why did you refuse?” I whispered.

He looked back at me and shook his head. “You do so much for me already. I cannot possibly take advantage of you in that way.”

“But I will be giving you vials later on.” I almost sounded whiny.

“Only if it is truly necessary. And, besides, giving me a vial is much different than forcing you to live as I do. You don’t have to offer yourself up to me. If I sucked on your wound, you would get infected.”

“But I want you to feel better.”

“I understand, and for you to offer yourself up to me means so much. I can’t explain how much I appreciate that you’re willing to sacrifice your normal life for me. But I can’t do that to you. I already feel like such a prat for turning Nick.” I nodded. I was feeling wounded and worry swept over me. “Come here, my black-haired beauty.” He wrapped his strong arms around me and held me for a minute. He kissed the top of my head. I pulled away, just enough to be able to look into his eyes. He tucked my hair behind my ears and then cupped my face in his cold hands.

I looked down shyly. “I’m sorry for getting angry with you down there.”

“It’s okay.” He kissed my forehead and held me, rubbing my back, giving me the comfort that I should have been giving him.





Chapter 22





A





fter Henry cleaned up my wound, we all sat in the family room and discussed cutting out the tracking devices. Henry was sifting through all the supplies Claire and Thomas had brought back. Unfortunately, there weren’t any scalpels.

“We’ll just have to use a knife,” he said. “I say we start with Kellan.”

Henry went into the kitchen and grabbed the biggest knife he could find…my mom’s chef knife. He had the biggest of smiles plastered across his beautiful, bruised face. I laughed at his amusement.

“This shall do it, yeah? Anyone care to watch?” We all looked at one another, probably all thinking how crazy Henry was acting. He was allowed.

He had that evil glimmer in his eyes. We shrugged at one another, and followed right behind him. I knew he was going to enjoy torturing Kellan, much like Kellan enjoyed torturing him. Then I saw Henry jam his forefinger and thumb into his temples, rubbing with vigor. I grabbed his arm before he could walk any further.

“Wait. Maybe you should get some blood first. You seem a little in need.”

“I will be fine. I can get my fix afterwards.” I wasn’t sure if that was the best idea, but what other choice did I have, other than to follow him?

We headed toward the living room, where Kellan was still tied up. Henry grabbed another chair and turned it backward, sitting down and facing him with the knife in hand. “Well, hullo, mate.” Henry grinned, while rolling the knife handle in his hand. Kellan was looking a little bleak, and told Henry to go fuck himself. Sadly, it was muffled because of the gag. “Well, look at that. Your eyes are quite gray.” Henry smiled. He knew Kellan was getting weak, and the virus was taking over.

Henry reached over and cut the gag out of his mouth with the tip of the knife. It was bloody from when Nick punched him and knocked out a couple of teeth. Kellan coughed a few times, and moved his jaw back and forth.

“Is there anyone else coming?” Kellan just glared at him. “I asked you a question.” Henry remained calm for the moment, but I knew that it would escalate. It was Henry’s M.O. Calm to psychotic in sixty seconds or less.