Darkness Rises(87)

Étienne nudged Cam aside and lifted Sean onto the bed. Blood stained Sean’s shirt on his shoulder. Étienne tore the neck of Sean’s T-shirt and pulled it down to confirm Krysta’s wounds had opened on him. All of them by the looks of it.
“He’s never collapsed before,” she said on a sob. “Is he dead?”
Étienne shook his head. “He’s alive.” But he had expended all of his energy to heal her and, as a mortal, may now be incapable of healing himself. Étienne turned to Richart as he entered. “Get Roland.”
Richart grimaced and drew out his phone. “I’ll call Seth first. Roland tries to kill me whenever I teleport to his home.”
“Still?”
He nodded. “I wouldn’t be here if I weren’t so good at dodging flying daggers.” He dialed and held the phone to his ear.
Étienne took Krysta’s hand and drew her up against his side. “He’ll be okay.”
She shook her head, tears spilling over her lashes. “He warned me so many times that I might kill him.”
Étienne wrapped both arms around her trembling form. “He isn’t gong to die, Krysta.”
“Maybe not this time, but . . .”
Perhaps she finally realized Sean was right.
The sounds of battle came over Richart’s line, carrying to Étienne’s sensitive ears.
“Yes?”
“Seth. Richart. Are you busy?”
“One moment.” The clang of metal striking metal reached them, accompanied by howls of pain. Many howls of pain. Then silence. “Not right now, no. What do you need?”
Étienne fought a smile.
“Sean collapsed after healing Krysta. Could you—?”
Seth appeared beside Richart, pocketing his phone. “Let me guess. Roland still hurls daggers at you whenever you teleport to his home.”
“Yes.”
“I’m going to have to talk to him about that.”
Richart looked at Étienne. “I’m going to head back to UNC.”
He nodded.
Richart vanished.
Seth approached the other side of the bed. “So. What happened?”
Krysta sniffed. “He was just finishing up healing the worst of my—”
“Not that,” Seth interrupted, resting a hand on Sean’s chest. “How were you injured?” His hand began to glow.

Chapter 14
Krysta stared.
Sean’s pale face rapidly regained color.
Seth removed his hand.
“That’s . . . that’s it?” she asked incredulously. It had only lasted seconds and Seth didn’t show any signs of fatigue at all.
“Yes,” he answered simply.
Unsure whether to believe him, she leaned down and pulled up Sean’s shirt. No wounds marred his skin where hers had opened on his flesh. No bullet wounds. No gashes. No bruises. Only dried blood. “That’s amazing.”
I told you he was powerful, Étienne said.
I know, but . . . damn. “Why isn’t he waking up?” she asked.
Even though Seth had healed him, Sean didn’t stir.
“He expended all of his energy to heal you. He needs rest, so I commanded him to do so.”
“Uh-huh. And, despite the whole unconscious thing, he’s obeying you?”
“It wasn’t that kind of command. You might say I forced sleep upon him.” Seth crossed his arms over his chest. “One more time. What happened?”
Krysta and Étienne took turns telling him what had happened.
The powerful leader of the Immortal Guardians did not seem pleased.
“First,” he said, “you two need to abandon your doubts and insecurities and just get together already. You’re so perfect for each other that you’re finishing each other’s sentences.”
Krysta looked at Étienne, who seemed as taken aback as she felt. “Really?”
“We finish each other’s sentences?” Étienne asked.
She hadn’t realized it either.
“Yes. Second, you left two vampires guarding Krysta?”
Étienne nodded. “It was a risk I had to take. Their thoughts indicated they could be trusted to at least do that much. They were scared shitless and looked to me to get them out of there alive.”
Krysta held up an index finger. “I personally didn’t think I needed a guard.”
“You did,” Seth said in a tone that brooked no argument. “Have Chris outfit you with a pair of Glock 18s with thirty-round clips like Lisette. Guns may not be your weapon of choice for taking out vampires, but they are good for holding off humans. You also should consider, once more, serving as a Second until this new mercenary threat has been extinguished.”
“No, thank you.”
He raised an imperious eyebrow. “You can see vampires coming and know their movements before they make them. But the auras of humans offer you no such warning, do they?”