Page 40 of Bonded By Blood
She did have a point. However… “Only one of us is human, though.” The door clicked open and Matilda stepped inside, carrying a small tray and two glasses of blood. “I’ll talk to you later, Kendall.” Brianna waited for Kendall to acquiesce before disconnecting and lowering her phone.
Matilda stepped up, setting a glass onto the side-table nearest Brianna’s chair. “Dinner, my lady.” She glanced around briefly. “Where is Mr. Pearce?”
“He was going to clean up.” Brianna set her phone onto the tabletop and lifted the emblazoned crystal glass. “Thank you, Matilda. You can leave Joe’s glass with me. He’ll probably be back soon.”
“Of course.” Matilda obediently set down the matching cup.
As Matilda stepped away, her job done, Brianna found herself hesitating. It was true they didn’t know who the traitor was. Theoretically it could be almost anyone, including the human staff. She should show no weakness, of any form, in front of the other woman. Except Brianna didn’t believe this kind woman could have been involved. But there was the chance Matilda knew something that would put Brianna’s mind at ease.
“Matilda.” Brianna waited until the middle-aged woman had turned back around. Meeting her gaze with a smile, she asked, “Do you know how Garvin’s doing?” The one time Brianna had gone up to see him, while Joe had been out, he’d been asleep again.
Matilda offered Brianna a small, sad smile. “I heard he’s conscious, my lady. But the doctor isn’t ready to release him back to work. They’re still worried about the bump on his head, though at least his arm’s been stitched up.”
Brianna released a breath and inclined her head. “He was still out when I went to check on him. I’m glad he’s awake finally.” She smiled again. “And thank you for filling in today.”
“I’m glad to help,” Matilda said. She bowed, briefly, at the waist. “Please call if you need anything more, Lady Brianna.”
Maybe I’ll go check on Garvin again. She’d have to wait until Joe showed up, since she’d promised to meet him in the library. But she wanted to see Garvin for herself, maybe even speak to him. His initial conversation with Seth had been short and not particularly useful, which could have been due to his injured, semi-conscious state, or the simple fact that he didn’t have much to contribute. Either way, there would be no harm in Brianna speaking to him herself.
Brianna made a face, suddenly finding herself swallowing a mouthful of less-than-desirable blood. As the faintly bitter, viscous liquid rolled down her throat she lifted the glass for proper inspection. It didn’t taste the greatest, certainly not like the quality she was used to dining on, but it looked fine. She pursed her lips. You’re getting in your own head, Brianna. That was all there was.
Still, she took a smaller, more cautious second sip. It tasted a little better than the first on her tongue and, after rolling it around, she swallowed it down. The sour flavor didn’t hit until after. But this time her stomach churned, the way she’d heard staff—and Kendall—describe theirs did after eating rotten food.
Brianna quickly set the cup on the table and snatched up Joe’s. He would forgive her. Wait. She caught herself, the second glass already pressed to her lips, and inhaled deeply. Deeper than she had the previous time.
Her stomach rolled again, more violently. Was that from the scent or the blood she’d just ingested? She could feel sweat forming on her skin, around her hairline. She never sweated.
Please… Brianna tipped the glass forward, carefully, and extended her tongue. Instead of taking a mouthful of the blood, she merely coated the tip of her tongue in it before retreating. She closed her eyes, flexing her tongue, tasting the new blood. After several seconds, the sourness hit again. This time she spit it back into the cup, before setting it down beside hers and collapsing against the chair.
She felt miserable. In the span of a few seconds she’d become clammy. She was cold and sweaty at the same time, while her stomach heaved, as if starting a riot inside her. She couldn’t remember a time she’d ever felt this way. She was a vampire—an Original vampire—she wasn’t supposed to feel sick. Is that … this?
Brianna moaned, wiped at her face with her sticky hands, and pushed to her feet. She needed blood. Clean, healthy blood. It was the only way. But as soon as she stood, the room spun around her. Her mind went blank for a precious second and when she regained some awareness of herself again, she was on her knees, sideways to the chair. The soothing glide of crimson blood at the perfect temperature running past her lips had drawn her back to herself.
“No!” Brianna threw the glass aside, simultaneously spitting out the traitorous drink. The motion cost her her balance and she face-planted on the floor. She coughed, choking from the violence of her own actions, and attempted to sit back up, to pull herself back to her feet. But the coughing was aggravating her entire system and her stomach heaved with one small, final warning.
The next thing she knew she’d vomited her entire stomach contents onto the floor. But her body still shook, her skin was sweatier than ever, and spots had developed in her vision.
Please … Joe!