Page 82 of Twice Bitten

Alric let out a breath. “We need your help.”

I slowly shook my head. “And I need yours. Looks like we’re at an impasse.”

“Alex.” Alric looked away. A muscle twitched in his jaw. “Are you so ready to die?”

“Who says I’ll die? So far, I think I’m doing okay.”

Alric rose from his seat and walked toward the door. “You aren’t. Within days of consuming your blood, Beckett’s behavior altered in unpredictable ways. He was not meant to feed from anything other than a bag for fear of poisoning others. Silas and I know he injured you. We smelled it when you came into the alley. You’re not that far past his attack. Even the flu takes some time to incubate. Magic takes even longer.”

My fists clenched at my sides.

Alric stopped and tilted his head. “Unless you’ve been experiencing further symptoms.”

I forced myself to relax. “It’s time to leave, Prime. Thank you for your assistance in the cleanup, but I’ll take it from here.”

“Leo will drive you to a hotel for tonight. My people will return first thing in the morning to finish.”

The vampire in question appeared by the Prime’s side, seemingly out of thin air.

I opened my mouth to protest, but Alric stepped outside. “Even if you don’t assist me, I am not one to leave someone in a terrible position. You cannot sleep in your room tonight, Alex. Please. A hotel room is already booked and paid for. My strategist will be there to meet you with clothing and toiletries.”

Without another word, he melted into the night and disappeared without a trace. A chill ran down my spine as I stepped outside, my eyes narrowing as I searched for him.

But Alric was gone as if he’d never been there.

“Creepy.”

Leo walked over. “Is there anything you need to take?”

I held up a finger and went back inside, shutting the door behind me. “Edmund?”

“You knew.” The betrayal echoing in Edmund’s voice shook me.

“You and I both suspected what was happening to me.” I let out a heavy sigh. “It’s a long story. I don’t think Alric is telling me the entire truth. And I feel fine. I promise.”

“You won’t know until it’s too late. Is there a doctor you can see?”

“A witch doctor?” I asked with a snicker.

“Alex.”

“I’ll ask around. In the meantime, I’m going to a hotel.” I paused with my hand on my purse. “Did you see what happened to my bedroom?”

Edmund’s silence spoke volumes. “As loath as I am to admit, the vampire is right,” he said after a moment. “You should not go in there until they finish. I’ll monitor them tomorrow to ensure they don’t do anything shady.”

“Do I need new furniture?”

The spirit sighed. “You’ll need new everything.”

“Great.” I slung my purse over my shoulder. “Call if you need me.”

“Be careful, Alex. I can’t protect you while you’re in the hotel room.”

“I’m sure I’ll have a vampire bodyguard.”

“Even so, you still don’t know what the Prime’s motivation is. He needs you right now, but what happens when he doesn’t?”

“I guess we’ll find that out when it happens.” I turned to go. “Good night, Edmund. When I return and get things back in order, I’ll install a better security system.” I paused at the door. “Also, Cat came up with an interesting proposition. She created a magical Wi-Fi router. I want you to examine one and see if it’s something you could use to better protect yourself from what happened tonight.”