Page 33 of Bloodlust

"Camilla?" The doc's voice is soothing. "Is that you?"

My eyelids flicker. "I can't smell blood." A pause. "It's right here...and I can't smell it. You were right."

"Are you hurt right now?" he asks. "Hello?"

"Always," I whisper, fading in and out of consciousness.

"Where are you?"

I mumble my address before everything goes black.

Chapter 9

Locksmith

Oh God...

A dull ache pulses in my temples as my eyes flicker open. I wince, streaks of soft yellow light burning my irises as I roll over on my bed.Fuck me.

Disorientated, I look around my room, my vision slowly focusing.How much did I drink last night?I try to prop myself upright against the headboard, but I'm stopped by the sharp pain in my right hand. I glance down, frowning at the bloodstained gauze wrapped around my knuckle.

What the f?—

I stare at the patch job, the fog gradually lifting as fragments of last night slowly weave together.

The meeting. Malik. Gunshots.

Shit.

The memories grow stronger as I drop my head into my hands, kicking myself for acting like a fucking idiot.

It all comes back to me slowly.

"She's in here," a voice says over Pinto's barking.

Who is that? I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to make out the blurry face.

"Christ's sake."

It's him. Hayden? Oh my God.

"Go find a first aid kit."

"Right away," another voice says.

Norman? The doorman?

"Camilla?" The doc hovers over me, his arms looping around my waist as he lifts me onto the bed. "Shit." He glances at the bottle on the floor, shaking his head. "Stupid girl." He stares at me. I can see slight anger in his expression. "Can you hear me?" He pauses as I mumble something. What did I say? "Words, Camilla." More mumbling. His eyes narrow. "If you don't form a coherent sentence, I am taking you to the hospital. Speak. Now."

"I'm fine," I manage, waving my hand. "Go away."

"Here." Norman comes into my room, handing Hayden a red kit. "There's some gauze in there, that oughta help." Norman looks down at me. "Should we call an ambulance?"

"No, no ambulance," I slur, eyelids flickering. "I'm fine...fine."

"Stay still," Hayden commands, taking my hand. Pain sears my skin as he applies disinfectant. "Stay still!"

I whimper, my brain shutting down, his silhouette fading.