Rafaela's
body shook, clutching at the sheets as her eyes rolled in her head.
They put her on her side just in time. Rafaela vomited up the
charcoal and the contents of her stomach. Dirk held Rafaela while
Seth rinsed the mess down the floor drain.
"How
could someone do that?" Dirk asked.
"I
was gonna ask you the same thing," the Hunter countered.
"I
would never harm Rafaela. I love her."
"Vamps
can't love," Seth growled.
Dirk
shoved the young Hunter hard in the chest. "You don't know what
we're capable of."
"You
wouldn't know love if it bit you," Seth sneered.
"I've
been in love as a human," Dirk responded. "And I've loved
as a vampire. There have been a hell of a lot of women in my life,
but no one holds a candle to Rafaela. I'd rather let you kill me than
live without her."
"I
can arrange that," Seth replied, cocking his weapon.
Rafaela
groaned, drawing their attention. "Stop," she whispered.
"Seth, stop." She grabbed Dirk's arm. "Dirk—"
"Shh,
babe. You're okay."
"What?"
"You
were poisoned. Wolfsbane," Seth replied. "In the bubble bath."
"What?
That was a gift from Claudette. She'd never do that."
Dirk
helped her sit up. Seth brought a blanket from the bed. They wrapped
her in it before Dirk carried her to bed. He sat behind her, propping
her up, his back against the headboard. Seth sat on the end of the
bed, watching the way the vampire tended to his aunt. Had he not
known who and what they were, he would have seen a couple deeply in
love. He didn't know whether to be happy or sad about that.
"How
are you feeling?" Dirk asked, brushing her hair from her neck.
"Weak.
Are you all right?"
Rafaela's
eyes held concern as she touched his cheek.
"I'm
fine. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Vomit,"
she replied, touching his lips. "We're quite the pair, huh?"
"My
wards are effective," Seth said, not hiding his grin. "Had
him down in less than thirty seconds."
"You
knew I was there before I broke the wards?"
"I'm
a paranoid redneck," Seth said. "I have more than just my
wards protecting me. I knew shortly after you left the cabin."
"And
you let me hit that wall? It could have killed me if I hadn't rolled
away."
Seth
leaned closer. "If you hadn't had a bellyful of Auntie's blood,
it would have killed you before you could get away."
"Stop,"
Rafaela whispered. "You have to stop fighting. We can't do this
job without all three of us."
"You
can't do it at all," Dirk said.
"For
once, I agree with Fang Face," Seth agreed.
"I'll
be fine by tomorrow," Rafaela protested. "It takes more
than wolfsbane to get me down."
"No,"
the men chorused.
"Yes.
He tried to kill me."
"Who?
Dirk?" Seth pulled a knife on the vampire.
"No,
you idiot. The vampire lord. He sent fifteen vampires against me and
damn near killed Dirk when he went to the lair." She batted the
knife aside. "Grow up. A man your age should know better than to
act like a spoiled, impetuous brat. That goes for you too," she
directed over her shoulder at Dirk. "You have to trust one
another. Your distrust will get us all killed."
"Old
habits, love," Dirk mumbled, nuzzling her neck. "For you,
I'll try."
Seth
rolled his eyes, exhaling I a huff. "All right, Auntie. For your
sake. But I withhold the right to hate his evil, black guts."
"Duly
noted," Dirk said with a smirk. "And I'll quell the urge to
feast on yours."
"You'll
try, cowboy," Seth rejoined.
"Boys!
Honestly, grow up! I can't play mother!" She gagged. Hopping up,
she ran to the bathroom, vomiting again.
This
time, Dirk washed it down while she rinsed her mouth. Despite her
protests, he carried her to the bed.
"You'll
be all right soon," he assured her. "I can smell a
difference already."
"I'll
empty the tub." Seth rose.
"No,"
Dirk commanded. "There might be traces left in the water. Let
me." He grinned at the Hunter. "What's it gonna do? Kill me
twice?" He winked at the younger man and proceeded to pull the
rubber stopper in the drain. He felt a slight tingle on his skin, but
it was no more than a minor annoyance. Washing himself well, he took
up his position on the bed.
©
Dellani Oakes 2017
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