Sorin crouched next to the vampire. “What do you mean it’s too soon?”
“She survived the initial virus infection, and now she’s a carrier like the rest of us. I assume the changes don’t happen overnight. She probably needs more time—”
“To incubate.” She should be jumping for joy at being alive, not desiring to creep in a hole and cry.
She wasn’t human anymore.
She stared at her hands. They appeared the same but for how long? Her sense of smell had already changed. What would it be like to have super strength, to drink blood or shift?
If she knew which virus had won the battle, she’d be coping better. “How long do you think I have to wait?”
“How am I supposed to know? This was all theory until this morning. Now, get this forsaken sword out of my gut, Sorin. We had a deal.”
Sorin fingered the sword hilt. They had made a deal. Susan lived; so should Benic. He’d given his word. Then again…
Why should he let the vampire go? They’d broken agreements with shifters throughout history. He would be doing his people a service by destroying a vampire lord.
He glanced over his shoulder at Susan. “He infected you on purpose. He wanted to steal you away from me.” He couldn’t restrain the growl that followed his words.
Dark circles hollowed her eyes, and her long hair fell limp over her shoulders. The sickness had drained her but left her alive. She’d heal. Into what, though?
She watched his hand on the sword. “You infected me when you bit me as well.”
“Making you sick wasn’t my intention. I barely understand this virus even with both of you explaining it to me.” He twisted the sword a little.
Benic’s scream pierced his sharp hearing.
“I should kill you for putting her through this.” He yanked the sword from the vampire body and pressed the blade at his throat. “I’ll keep my promise for today, because you saved her. Next time we meet I won’t be so generous.” The sword felt awkward in his grasp. How did vampires fight with such bulky things?
Benic rolled onto his knees and rose on shaky legs. He clutched the wound. In a few days, the bloodsucker would be fine. “If she turns vampire, I want your word you won’t harm her.”
“I’d never hurt Susan. This wasn’t her choice.”
The vampire nodded, then shuffled to the Temple’s exit. “You might want to tell her that when you find her.”
“What?” Sorin spun around. The shelter was empty and Susan gone.
Chapter Forty-Five
The scent of roasting pig had Kele halting in her tracks. She met Peder’s questioning gaze. Who was cooking?
Outside the Temple, by the entrance stairs, Ahote guarded a fire pit in feral form. He waved.
Kele stared at the food, her stomach rumbled. “You went hunting?” When had she last eaten?
“There’s plenty for everyone.” The hunter’s ears fanned out as if pleased with himself.
She expected a different scenario upon arrival. The worst being Susan dead, but Ahote seemed far from grieving. “We brought the medicine. Where’s Susan?”
Someone moved in the shadow of a tree close to the pit. “She left.”
“Benic?” She recognized his voice. Glancing at Ahote, she posed a silent what-is-he-doing-here question.
He shrugged. “I found him sitting on the steps. Waiting. Clearly, he’s not in his right mind.”
“I’m not leaving until I know what Susan has become.” The vampire remained under the tree, unmoving.
Kele frowned at his uncharacteristic behavior. “What are you talking about?” The vampire seemed more subdued than usual, and she smelled old blood drifting from his area.
“Those myths Susan spoke of—the ones about humans changing into vampire or shifter after a bite—they’re true.”
Kele scratched her ear as she tilted her head. “And exactly how did you find this out?” She wanted to shake him. That’s why he’d stolen Susan away. He wanted to try out his theory without her permission. Arrogant ferret.
“She gave me a blood sample to study.” He shifted his body and clutched his stomach as if uncomfortable.
Pausing by the cooking pit, Kele gave Ahote a questioning look. What, by the Dark Moon, had happened while they’d been gone? “So there is a world full of people who could change species by a single bite?”
“If they survive the infection.” Ahote crossed his arms. “He forgot to mention that important fact.”
A jolt of revelation rocked her. “What have you done, Benic?” Susan had been so ill leaving the castle. Sorin had told her he assumed she’d caught the Apisi illness.
The vampire hung his head. “I’m tired of being alone. I don’t expect any of you to understand.”
“What happened? Where are they?” Her voice rose as she spoke. Two good people were missing and—and here Benic, Ahote and Peder sat having a pig roast.
“They’re fine.” Ahote poked at their cooking meal. “It’s done.”
“I gave Susan something to prevent her from dying. She left the Temple and Sorin went after her.” Benic sighed. “But she’s carrying both vampire and shifter viruses.” He turned his head toward Ahote. “I’m not leaving until I have a better idea of what she’s becoming.”
She shook her head. “Oh, Benic.” He always meddled in other’s affairs. She searched the surrounding woods but saw nothing. May the Goddess bring Susan light.
“Once we eat, I’ll return you home, Kele.” Ahote sliced some meat from the roast with his claws and handed it to her.
She juggled the hot food between her hands. Juices ran from it and the smell… If she could shift to feral form, she could have gobbled it like the others. Instead, she needed to bite and chew. “I’m not going back.” She spoke with her mouth full. “Not until I know of Susan’s fate. I have not traveled this far to run home now.”
“Spoken like a hunter, Kele.” Benic chuckled.
“A hunter who can’t defend herself.” Ahote sliced another piece of meat from the roast. “I tire of the wilderness and want to return home. There’s a bath and better company at our den. No matter how long we stay out here, we’ll still have to explain the events of last night to your parents.”
She grimaced and swallowed the lump of meat in her throat. This would make her parents even more determined to safeguard her future. Would they really send her away to some strange pack as a potential mate? Maybe she should have tried harder to find a male within her own pack. “I’m sure Peder will stay until his alpha returns.”
The omega was reaching in the pit for more meat, his gaze on Ahote as if waiting for the hunter to pounce. When she spoke, he halted. “I will.”
Ahote closed his eyes for a moment and wiped his muzzle. “I guess that means I must stay.” He sighed with a heavy heart. “I’ve protected your hide since the day you were set in your own cave. I’m not leaving you here with only an omega.” He glared at her then at Peder. “This better not be because you want another opportunity to pet him.”
“Ahote.” She flushed so hard her toes curled. She didn’t need reminding of her attraction to Peder. Her reaction at his den was enough shame to swallow, but she hated the way everyone kept touching him. If he returned home she’d never see him again, and maybe she’d regain some sanity. Her gaze drifted over to Benic, who sat so still.
Kele’s discomfort with her attraction to Peder made Benic chuckle in silence. If he laughed aloud, it would hurt too much. As it was, his hand kept his guts from spilling to the ground. The moist sensation against his palm made him queasy. He needed to find something to bind around his midsection if he ever planned to walk home.