26. Chapter Twenty-Six

Torsten materialised in the med bay and carried Jasper to one of the beds. Levi came rushing in, his red curls pointing in every which way as usual.

“What happened, Lori? As much detail as you can, please,” Levi rushed out as he hooked Jasper up to monitors. The one that monitored his heart let out a rhythmic beep, but it was slow. Too slow.

“I don’t know everything, but I know he’s been drained numerous times,” I said, clutching his hand in mine. He was so pale and there were black circles around his eyes. He just looked so fragile, and fear gripped my throat with an icy hand as I looked at his frail form. Torsten came to stand behind me and pressed a kiss to my temple. I was grateful for the comfort; I knew I’d be collapsed on the floor in a heap if he wasn’t there to support me.

“Right,” said Levi sharply as he prepped Jasper’s arm for a needle. “I’ll get him a blood transfusion.”

“Take mine,” I said quickly.

Levi snapped his eyes up to mine and he narrowed his eyes at me. “Have you finished your first thirst?”

I blanched. “You know about that?”

“I know a lot about vampires, Lori. I work for one.”

I swallowed, my mouth dry. “I don’t know. I haven’t tried anyone else recently, but—”

“We can’t run the risk that you’ll need more so no, I won’t give him yours.”

“Can you use mine?” Torsten asked, his voice a low rumble by my ear.

I looked up at him, his mismatched eyes full of worry. “No, Torsten. I can’t let you do that.”

“Why not? He is important to you and my blood will be more powerful than anything Levi will have in his stores.”

“He’s right,” Levi said.

Torsten pressed a soft kiss against my lips. “Let me do this for you. Let me save him.”

“Okay,” I said softy and let him go to Levi who put him in a chair next to the bed. Torsten rolled his sleeve up and I watched as his shadows receded higher up his arm, giving Levi the access he needed to insert the transfusion kit. He winced as the needle went in his skin.

“Sorry,” Levi muttered, his eyes focussed on the task. I watched as Torsten’s blood flowed into the clear tube, dark and thick with flecks of gold sparkling in the liquid. I felt so useless. I couldn’t save Jasper, couldn’t protect him. I had to let my demon take over in order to get us out of there. If I was supposed to be this all-powerful Triune, that why wasn’t I more powerful? Why couldn’t I do more? It was so frustrating, and I wanted to scream and stamp my foot. I wanted to curse whoever burdened me with this. How could I possibly save everyone, if I couldn’t even save someone?

Tears flowed down my face as I looked at Jasper. “Please wake up. I don’t know if I can do this without you.”

Torsten reached out to me over Jasper, and I grasped his hand in mine.

“He is strong, Lori, and he has you to live for.”

“Why don’t you get some sleep?” Levi asked, his eyes full to the brim with concern. “I’ll call you as soon as he wakes. I promise.”

“He’s in good hands,” Torsten said, giving my hand another squeeze. “I’ll watch over him.”

I knew he was in safe hands, and I knew that I needed to recuperate. My body had been through a lot, my mind was exhausted. Perhaps sleep would be wise.

I fixed Levi with a firm stare. “The second he wakes up, you let me know.”

“Of course,” he replied.

“And you,” I said to Torsten, “don’t even think about giving too much blood. You’re just as important to me.”

His mouth curled up in the corner with a hint of a smile. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

“Good.” That was good. I pressed a kiss to Jasper’s forehead. “Come back to me.”

Then I took one last look at the men in the room before leaving, hoping with all the hope I could muster that Jasper was going to pull through.

Imanaged to make it all the way back to the Elite mansion without breaking down and when I looked where my feet had taken me, I found myself staring at Fenris’ door. I knew we were in a weird place right now, but I needed his soothing presence. Someone who could just hold me without wanting anything in return.

I raised my hand to knock, but the door swung open before I could.

“Lori?” He looked down at me with wide brown eyes, surprised that I’d sought him out.

“I know things are strained between us, and I’m probably not going to make things any easier right now, but can I sit with you? I, um… I don’t want to be alone.”

I could feel tears brimming in my eyes. I was so close to falling apart and I just—

Fenris swing the door open wider and I caught sight of Alec sat on one of the loveseats.

I brushed a tear away. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realise I was interrupting. I’ll go.” I went to turn away, but Fenris’ hand shot out to stop me.

“Wait. Don’t go, Lori. Of course you can sit with us.”

At Fenris’ words the dam broke, and all the tears and exhaustion took over. I collapsed into his arms and just let everything go. I’d worry about everything later. About Mordecai, Selene, the witches… it could all wait.

Right now, I needed a cathartic release, and I was going to curl up between Alec and Fenris and just have a really good cry. I could fix the world later.

Fenris scooped me up into his arms and I realised how much I’d missed his woodsy scent. We’d spent so much time apart that I’d almost forgotten what being in his arms felt like. It was like heaven, safe and warm and cosy as he lay down with me becoming the big spoon. Alec curled up in front of me and I let my exhaustion carry me into the depths of sleep knowing I was safe and taken care of.