Nathan shook his head. “I will deal with that later. For now, I believe we should focus on trying to save your two friends.”
Lucy could see how pleased his answer made Jessica. A happy twinkle swam into her topaz eyes, and she beamed as she said, “Great!” She turned around to face the others. “Now that we’ve got Jason with us, we’ll need to take more than one vehicle.”
“I left my car here earlier,” Lucy reminded her. “I’ll take it back to my place now. Want to ride with me, Jess?”
“Sure.”
“I’ll stay in my truck if it’s all the same,” Kiefer said.
“I guess that leaves you two with me.” Dara glanced between Jason and Nathan.
Nathan still seemed dubious, but he agreed, and said, “Ladies, do not forget to bring all of your weapons along. We may need them.”
Jason, who’d been holding his mug in both hands and eyeing it with reluctance, looked up. “Weapons?”
“Jessica loaned us these big hunting knives,” Dara informed him, an excited spark to her voice as she held apart her hands to demonstrate the size. “And we made wooden stakes.” She mimed a stabbing motion.
“Ah,” Jason said, and Lucy noted that he didn’t look quite as surprised as she would’ve expected him to. Which led her to believe Dara hadn’t been kidding when she’d said her husband knew her better than anyone else. He seemed to take it for granted she could handle herself. And he trusted her judgment. Lucy felt another twinge of envy at how attuned to one another they seemed, and she couldn’t help wondering if she’d ever have a relationship even close to anything like that in her life.
“Come on Jason,” Jessica said, clapping her hands, “chop-chop. I know it’s gross, but get that platelet smoothie down the hatch and let’s see if it works, huh? We’re all dying of curiosity over here.”
Jason took a deep breath and nodded. “Here goes nothing.” He poured the foul drink down his throat. When he put the cup back down, everyone was leaning forward, staring intently at him. He smacked his lips a few times and darted out his tongue to sweep a stray drop from the corner of his mouth. “Huh. That actually wasn’t half bad,” he declared.
Kiefer’s face brightened. “I added a pinch of cinnamon and a dash of agave syrup to the recipe,” he offered with a flourish, “to take the edge off.”
“Nice.” Jason gave him a thumb up.
“So, how do you feel?” Dara’s hands were clasped together in front her chest, her eyes wide and questioning.
Jason shrugged. “Better, I guess. Like maybe it won’t be so hard for me to keep from nibbling on anybody for the rest of the night.” He quirked an eyebrow, drew her in close, and planted a kiss on her neck. “Except maybe for you, but that’s nothing new.”
She was laughing as she disentangled herself from him. “Okay, you guys, I think we can be pretty confident it worked,” she snickered. “He’s definitely acting like his usual self.”
“Awesome.” Jessica was already at the kitchen door, her legs moving restlessly. “Let’s get a move on, then. Lucy’s man might be wigging out back at her place as we speak!”
Chapter Thirteen
As it happened, Aaron wasn’t wigging out at all. In fact, an altogether different scene awaited Lucy and her friends at Lucy’s one-bedroom apartment than had greeted them at the Donovan residence. Instead of hurtling out of a closet, fangs bared, they found Aaron sitting silently, cross-legged on her balcony, his forehead resting against the bars. He was so still and calm, he almost looked like he was sleeping.
“Aaron?” Lucy stepped toward the sliding glass doors standing open behind him.
Aaron didn’t stir, but Nathan put a restraining hand on her arm. “Lucy, do you and this man share a bond as strong as that between Jason and Dara? One that could theoretically—and instantly—cut through any confusion he may be experiencing as a result of having been turned into a vampire?”
Lucy pushed up her glasses. “Ha,” she said. “I wish.”
The vampire smiled gently. “Then perhaps I should approach him first.”
Lucy acquiesced, and Nathan moved ahead of her, stepping out onto the balcony with quiet grace.
“I’m not confused,” Aaron called to them without moving. “And I wouldn’t hurt you, Lucy. You can come out here and talk to me if you want.”
Nathan stopped and looked back at her. He nodded and beckoned, and she went to join him. Everyone else hung back, watching from just inside the doors.
“Aaron.” Lucy crouched and rested her hand on his shoulder. “So…you remember where you are, then? And what’s going on?”
He turned his head against the bars, looking at her with tired but lucid eyes. “I’m at your place. You brought me here the other night. You took care of me.” His lips tugged into an infinitesimal smile. “Thanks.”
She smiled back. “Yeah, of course.”
Aaron’s expression dimmed again. “As for what’s going on…a vampire bit me. I’m probably a vampire now, too, aren’t I? Just guessing, since I don’t seem to be breathing anymore. And I’ve lost my pulse.” He held up his wrist, a wince of dismay flickering across his face. “I can see a lot better now, too. Can hear practically everything.” His gaze locked on her neck. “I can hear the blood rushing through your veins. Pumping through your heart.” He licked his lips and stretched a hand toward her.
Nathan sprang forward, his hand outstretched to yank Lucy away from him.
“I won’t hurt her,” Aaron repeated, lifting his head and staring at the vampire. Squinting, he added, “Ugh, you’re another one.
