Hellfire

Chapter Thirty-Two

I trailed after Lucius as he carried Theresa through the house towards Doc's room, my hand clamped about Yvette's to make sure she was close. Doc was tearing ahead, his stride wide and quick, almost half-jogging as he rammed into his room. With a flick of a switch, light spilled over the cabinets of drugs and pills, his shelves stuff full of medical volumes, anatomy and his own scrawlings, and his mattress in the corner beneath moth eaten curtains. He gestured for Lucius to put Theresa there.

'She'll be more comfortable there.' When Theresa opened her mouth to argue about the mess, he waved it aside. 'I can get a new mattress. It's not like I sleep in here much anyway.'

So, Lucius carefully placed Theresa amongst the blankets, touching her hair in comfort and brushing his knuckles against her sweaty forehead. Fever was kicking in badly now. Her breath was ragged, and her eyelids sagged heavily as her body tried to shut itself down to protect itself.

I watched as Doc crouched down and swiftly cut away the remains of her once frilly white summer dress, unveiling the bloodied cotton and bandages already soaked through.

'She can't hold her blood in.' Doc observed.

Lucius' growled ever so softly. 'I could've done it for her.'

'I need to see what she can do herself. So far, it seems simply keeping her organs working is all she can manage. She can't heal nor can she regenerate her blood and keep it within her body.' Doc said dismissively. 'Go pour some of your blood in a bottle. I'll need it to feed to her to give her strength while I work. Not even one scrap of bone can be left in the wounds.' Doc swivelled, fixing his dark eyes on Yvette who I was parking in an old, shabby leather chair, as Lucius rose, moving away to do exactly as he was told with dangerously fluid movements. 'You stay put, Yvette. I'll work on your shoulder the moment I'm done with Theresa, but drink Lucius' blood until then and accept Sam's help when she's here.'

Just like Theresa, Yvette gave me a cautious look, as if I was going to flip a lid for having Lucius' blood.

'Just drink it.' I said firmly as Lucius handed her a cup.

She took it and drank without hesitation at least.

'I've left enough.' Lucius announced as he gripped Doc's shoulder. 'Arnold and Susan will watch the grounds while I'm away, but call me if I'm needed.'

'You shouldn't be. It's not like they'll get pass the boundary.' Doc reassured and waved him off. 'Go root out the rest of them.'

Lucius gave Theresa's grey face one last sweep before he turned, indicating for me to follow with a gentle crook of his fingers. I trailed after him, quiet as he closed Doc's door and set off ahead, his expression stern, his dark hair dusted in frost and every step heavy with danger. My eyes trailed down his bare back, noticing the subtle display of strength beneath his frosted skin with sensual interest.

'You're to stay here. Make sure Doc has everything he needs, and the rest of the youngsters are safe.' Lucius ordered firmly as he set off down the stairs, snatching my attention. 'You are my best defence during the day.'

I knew he was going to tell me this, but I still felt that defiance growling in my belly. 'I need to go with you. The hunters explicitly stated they were hunting you.'

Lucius clearly wasn't in the mood for me to be defiant for once though. He stopped and turned, darkness flashing over his icy gaze, his teeth lengthening in quiet warning that forced me to quickly blink away the spasm of fear that blossomed at the sight.

'Which is why I need you here. Not only have they claimed they know how to find my home, but a witch took a shot at you. I'd rather you be here, safe, while I handle this.' He bared his teeth lazily. 'Or you burn any hunter who draws close while I'm away. I trust no one other than you to protect my youngsters.'