Always Hate Me

10. The Key

The vampire, Giovani, sped down the winding stairs. Devi's blood sang through his system, healing his injuries and powering his immortal muscles. Sunlight was his biggest issue. He pulled sheets from one of his deceased colleagues' beds and draped them over himself – looking like a child dressed as a ghost for Halloween. Hissing, he ran for the exit – the sheets only offering the minimum protection from the sun's burning rays.

Sparks and ash fluttered in his wake as he sped from the tower and its foul stench of death. Already, his strength was weakening. A jeep was parked out front. Its seats smelt of slaver-scum and his nostrils flared in revulsion but it was the best option he had. He couldn't continue to run at vampire speed. He revved the engine and took off, heading for the Second Gate. His hands gripped the steering wheel – blistering as he lost sight of the Watch Tower in his rear-view mirror.

 

For a long while the tower was quiet. Filled only with the sound of flies – buzzing noisily from corpse to corpse. At last, the morbid spell was broken by the sound of footfalls on the creaking stairs. Doors banged open and shut as the intruder searched room by room. As he approached the top floor, he was panting for breath – dragging his injured body up the steps by keeping a fierce grip on the banister.

Ryder burst through the door, hunched over and clutching at his injured side. His gaze fell first on the bodies of the slavers – ripped to pieces - and Melchior's slumped form. But then he saw her.

"Devi!" He called out. Moving with fresh urgency, he rushed to her side. "Devi?" He rolled her onto her back and gasped. Dried blood had crusted on her neck. Her lips were dry and bloodless – her jaw slack.

"No!" Ryder shook her, willing her eyes to open. She wasn't breathing. He hastily unzipped her jacket, revealing the white vest she wore beneath. With wild eyes he leant over her, pinching her nose and forcing her mouth open. He breathed into her mouth and watched her chest rise from his actions – confirming that her airway wasn't blocked. Then he put his hands on her chest and started compressions. "Come on, Devi." He growled. "Come back."

Bands of blue energy crackled from Ryder's hands without him meaning them to. The charges made Devi's body spasm and Ryder's eyes widened in shock. He froze – taken completely by surprise. Devi's torso rose slowly – as took her first breath. "Devi?" Ryder leant over her, putting his cheek against the mouth. Her felt her breath weakly against his skin. "That's it, Devi." He urged, "hang on in there."

With effort, he scooped her up in his arms and rose to his feet – carrying her bridal style out of the room. Ryder carried her down to the infirmary and set her down on the bed. He searched quickly through the drawers, searching for the equipment he'd need. Devi started to stir. "Don't move." Ryder directed, gathering together the supplies. "You've lost a lot of blood."

Ryder worked quickly, hooking them both up for a blood transfusion. His frown didn't let up until his blood started running through the tubes into Devi. "Stay still," he urged when she tried to roll over. Ryder flexed his fingers as the machine worked, trying to help the blood flow. He kept checking Devi's pulse.

She opened her eyes, looking groggy. With gentle hands Ryder brushed the hair out of her eyes. She smiled sleepily.

"You're saving my life again," Devi murmured weakly. Ryder soothed her damp forehead. When he was able to detach himself, he retrieved the radio he'd found in one of the drawers. Devi watched him operate it. He was fiddling with the settings - trying to listen in on the military channels.