Vampyre | Book I of Bloodlines

SHAKE THINGS UP

Viola

When I manage to pry my eyes open, my eye throbs painfully within my skull—it feels swollen and hard as if it's too big for my head. I try to blink, but nothing happens. My fingers rise to touch my eye on their own, only to encounter hard, swollen flesh. Glancing at my hand, I realize I'm only looking out of one eye—my left is completely swollen shut. Good shot, William, very nice.

My eye struggles to adjust, and I turn my head to look outside. It's nighttime, suggesting I wasn't out for very long. I manage to sit myself up, but as soon as I let out a cry of pain, Amber rushes to my side to help me.

"Milady, thank God. I was so worried," she says, stuffing a pillow behind my back to prop me up. Her voice wavers as she speaks.

Amber continues to fuss over my sheets and pillows. "Thank God you're all right. Let's get you comfortable."

Amber's eyes finally lock onto my swollen eye. She covers her mouth to stifle her emotions. Sweet and lovely, Amber. She's a good egg.

Amber takes a breath and steadies herself enough to pour me a glass of water.

"Sophie asked me to get her when you woke up. I'll go get her," she says, handing me the glass.

"No, Amber, please let her rest," I reply hoarsely.

Knowing Sophie, she was here until someone shooed her away for her own sake.

I clear my throat and drink some of the water. After I've had my fill, Amber takes the glass, sits on my bed, and holds my hand in hers.

"Amber, what happened?" I ask.

Amber is clearly confused. "You mean, you don't remember how you were injured? You've been asleep for two days."

Two days of my life spent sleeping? Wonderful.

"Oh, I remember what happened, but not how I got here," I inform her.

"Well, I found you unconscious in the library and sent for Doctor Gibbons. He says you might—" Amber covers her mouth again as she starts to tear up.

"Your eye, he doesn't know if it will still be working once the swelling goes down," she says between sobs.

I pat her hand. "Please don't cry for me, Amber; it won't help the situation one bit."

Amber takes a breath and tries to compose herself. "Yes, milady."

"Has my husband been to see me?" I already know the answer to that question, but I can't help but add another sting to my already injured everything.

Amber shakes her head. "Lord Spencer left early yesterday morning."

Well, that's good news. No beast about means freedom to explore certain areas of the house and maybe visit a certain red-eyed Daemon.

"Where did he go?" I ask.

Amber looks away in thought. "I'm not sure. I overheard him talking to Mrs. Norris, but he didn't give an exact location."

"Did he say for how long?"

"No, milady," Amber says, scooting closer to me and lowering her voice. "But his valet packed a rather large trunk, so I imagine at least a week."

"Good girl," I say, squeezing her hand.

I'm truly impressed by her sharp deduction skills. Since the day I arrived, Amber has been the only member of the household staff who has made an effort to be kind to me, and I'm determined to repay her for her kindness. I'm not sure how yet, but I'm confident that when the opportunity arises, I'll know what to do.