Half-Blooded | The Dark Child Prophecy Series [✔️]

Chapter 33: Too Far Gone

Despite being in and out of consciousness, I could hear the wolves upstairs. But I stayed put, my hands still restrained and my body covered in thick coats of dried blood. I could feel my weak pulse in my ears, reminding me to either feed or fall into dormancy.

Doctor Nelson had taken pleasure in keeping me awake for a few hours during the day, interested in what happened to the vampiric side of my body that needed the sleep. He had sliced me in tiny, shallow cuts to keep me awake. My voice was gone from screaming. I had blocked out having his cold and groping hands explore my skin and muscles to find out if any of them had developed differently from being a hybrid.

I never want to be touched again.

During the quiet late afternoon, someone had come in and released my wrists and feet. I had been laid down on another table to rest, but I didn't know for how long. It felt as though it had been another dream.

I sighed softly and opened my eyes to take in the room. Some of the blood had been mopped up and there was a fresh bag of fluids hanging from a post next to me. Even though I had been placed back on the near-vertical tilt table and handcuffed again, I noticed my feet had been left unrestrained. I grumbled softly to myself as my skin itched and throbbed from hives from the silver nitrate. I no longer had enough awareness to be bothered by them any more than the dull thrum of pain.

I closed my eyes again, trying to rest. My muscles vibrated weakly against my bones, on the verge of giving out. I could feel blood moving through my veins sluggishly. My fingertips and toes felt numb. My ribs felt cold, my spine stiff with pain, and my legs hurt.

Am I too far gone?

I wondered again about Jason. Had he been able to hear me? Did he know I was down in hell, cut up and left with nothing? I didn't find the meadow again. And I couldn't call for him.

The door opened and closed, and I tried to stay alert. My eyes opened as I focused on the corner of the room. I sighed in weak relief when Maria came around the corner. She glanced over my body and immediately reached down into the bag she had on her shoulder. As soon as she lifted its contents free, I could smell it.

Blood.

She brought the bag up to me and tore off the top carefully. "Here, Seren," she whispered, holding it to my lips. I sucked gently, finding my jaw hurt like hell in the process. The thick, warm liquid hit my tongue and I felt my whole body shudder. Despite the pain, I gulped down as much as I could without choking.

"You'll only have to hang in there a little longer. Your family is coming for you tonight. We'll get you out of here and home safe. Once the pack leaves for the run, they'll come get you," she told me, her voice still soft. "Your mother wanted me to tell you that they love you and she's sending only the best to get you."

I nodded slightly, pulling away from the blood bag. I swallowed, trying to get my voice back. "Thank you," I rasped. It hurt, feeling my throat tighten and catch.

Maria sighed again, holding up the blood for me to take another long sip. Her eyes ran over my exposed skin to check my injuries. "As soon as the house empties, I'll help get them inside to you. Jason and Thomas will take care of any remaining guards so we don't get caught."

I looked up at her, my eyes widening slightly. He knew I was here?

"I told him," she clarified, as if she read my mind. "Victoria and Vraal made the staff swear their obedience to keep it a secret you were here. He knows now, but he can't let them know that he's doing this. They'd just move you somewhere else without telling anyone," she rambled.

"Thank you," I managed to get out again.

She frowned, her delicate face filled with worry. "I'm sorry, Serenity. I really am. Just hang in there for a little longer." She turned her head to listen to a long, deep, summoning howl coming from outside. "I have to go. I promise, we'll be back."