Page 11 of Vampire Visions

“Yep. I was shot this morning. It’ll be completely gone in another hour or so. Don’t fret.” I waved him off, but he wasn’t buying it.

“I’m literally looking at your skull right now.” He leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table and crossing his arms.

“At least it’s not her brain,” Novak responded with a slight shiver as he sat down in his still bloody clothes.

“Then look away.” I shrugged my right shoulder and pointed to my favorite chair so Briggs would put me down. I liked being able to view all the exits in a room. I never sat in any of the other chairs, even when I was by myself in here. Levi was one chair away from being politely asked to move.

“Can I touch it?” He inquired with his hand in the air, index finger pointed straight at my forehead.

I’d never been asked that before, at least not in that context. “Uhm, sure?” I replied quizzically. I turned my body to face him better. He rubbed two fingers over the wound with narrowed eyes, concentration etched all over his tanned face.

Levi’s bright green eyes were as round as saucers when he pulled his hand back. “That’s really fucking cool. But don’t be offended, because I’m definitely washing my hands now.” He chuckled to himself as he stood from the table and started walking away. “Probably should have washed them before.”

Sloane

Tuesday Midday

We all chatted away while eating the spread Franklin had laid out for us. Everything was set on large white platters along the center of the table. Vegetables were chopped and lined up in neat rows. On either side of the vegetable platter were two more filled with meats and cheeses, and on either side of those were a mixed variety of fresh fruit. I only had eyes for what was in front of me.

Filling my plate with grapes of all colors and a collection of berries and kiwi, I picked at my meal. I didn’t really have an appetite, but I forced myself to eat. I’d hoped that food would make me feel better, but something still wasn’t right. My head felt like a hazy veil had been pulled over me, making it hard to concentrate. My right leg wouldn’t stop tingling and my left shoulder was so stiff that it almost hurt to move.

I looked around the table at the gathering of males and idly wondered if any of them thought to ask about the bullets. But then, I really hadn’t mentioned the issues my wounds were giving me. I probably should have, though. No sense in hiding it, right? “Did Caplin mention anything odd about those bullets? They weren’t normal. Something about these wounds feels... strange.” I spoke to no one in particular, hoping someone could answer my question.

“You mean, like, how they were poisoned?” Jack nonchalantly tossed out. “Yeah, he may have mentioned that.”

“I guess we forgot to tell you that. He said Kadence gave them to him, too.” Vaughn gave me an apologetic grimace.

“I’m glad I kept them,” I whispered to myself. “I need to know what they were coated with so I can heal properly.”

“Why do you keep the bullets?” Novak inquired.

“In case I get any kind of infection,” I answered on autopilot. I wondered if it was a spell or potion. I knew it couldn’t be poison, no matter what they thought. I would have already healed from that.

“But you're not human. I may be talking nonsense here, but I’m pretty sure that’s not how it works.” Levi turned a questioning gaze my way.

“Maybe you're right. Maybe you’re wrong,” I sang noncommittally. Those bullets had to be dipped in some kind of specialty potions. I was feeling three different reactions and none seemed like any of the poisons I’d ever learned about, or felt.

York sighed loudly. “I’ve had this conversation with her at least a dozen times, mate. You won’t get anywhere. She collects weird shit. Bullets from her body, the souls of her enemies…”

“Teeth from past bullies,” Jack chimed in. I aimed a dirty look at him, checking the smirk on Grim’s face.

“Well, this time, it’s a good thing that I have a weird obsession with keeping the projectiles that are pulled from my body. Wouldn’t you say?” I arched a brow at York while I toyed with a green grape on my plate.

“Wait,” Briggs drawled as he raised his hands in front of him. “Did you say teeth? Like you pulled teeth from their mouths?”

“No. I knocked them out.” Grinning, I shook my head. “It’s a long story. Can we talk about it later?”

“Yeah. Later.” Jack stood from the table, texting and talking as he walked out with his empty plate. “I asked Sarge to step in with your training today. Two on one. He should be here soon.”

“I have six mates who could have stepped in,” I reminded him.

“Bitch, please.” He scoffed at me. “We both know that: A) you won’t hurt them and B) they aren’t ready for full force Lo.” He popped his head around the door jamb so we could all see him roll his eyes at me. “Even if you aren’t full force right now.”

“You’re right,” I began.

“I disagree,” Grim cut in. “Have them all swap in and out to throw her some curveballs. I also think swapping forms a few times may help push out the poison that’s lingering in your system.”

“I don’t think it’s poison, Grim,” I said as I picked the grape apart with my vivid red nails, pulling the seeds out and popping the halves into my mouth. “I think the bullets were dipped in potions. All my wounds feel different, but not like any poisons I’ve ever come across.”