She tugged him further into the tunnel. He had to trust her that she wasn’t leading him astray, or into something that could injure him.
“What was all that, anyway?”
“What do you mean?”
“The gunshots?” he asked. “It didn’t seem like it was random. A gunman doesn’t come back if it’s not personal.”
He heard her sigh and wondered if she was going to tell him the truth. Not that she was required to. He wasn’t anyone to her. Just an EMT in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“It seems I’m involved in a bit of a political war.”
“A turf war?”
She sighed again. “I suppose you could call it that. I have control over certain parts of Nouveau Monde, certain businesses and whatnot. My second, Soren, has chosen to move against me.”
“So this was an assassination attempt on your life?” Trevor was surprised. He knew about vampire politics, but didn’t think it involved mafia-like tactics. He’d never heard of one vampire moving on another like this.
“Yes, I suppose it was.”
Trevor was silent the rest of the way as Guinevere guided him through the tunnel. Of course, he didn’t have a choice. It was completely black. He couldn’t see a thing except for the eerie amber glow of Guinevere’s eyes when she turned to check on his progress.
Eventually, Trevor could see a small pinpoint of light. They were nearing the end of the tunnel. Cold water sloshed around his feet, sending shivers up his legs. They were obviously in the storm drain.
Guinevere slowed. She tightened the hold on his hand.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m not sure.”
He could feel the shivers wracking her body. He didn’t think vampires got cold, but maybe she hadn’t ingested any blood recently and she was reacting to the loss of heat in her limbs.
“Have you fed lately?”
“No, not since before the show.”
According to Trevor’s calculations that would’ve been over six hours ago. Guinevere definitely needed blood especially since she’d lost some from being shot.
The light became larger as they neared the drain’s exit. Trevor could hear the rush of the river beyond them. He hoped there was a way out of the drain other than jumping into the river.
As they approached the drain cover, Guinevere crouched down to peer out. Trevor did the same. In the pale moonlight, he could see that her face was drawn and her eyes had darkened.
She was in significant pain. Maybe the bullet had fragmented inside her. If there was even the tiniest piece of silver in her bloodstream it could slowly poison her.
“I need to look at your wound, and treat it now. I think you’re going into shock.”
“We don’t have time. We have to get out of this tunnel and to a safe place.”
“If I don’t treat you now, you’ll die.” He knew he sounded brusque, but he didn’t want to waste time explaining. He knew she wouldn’t listen. Guinevere was a woman accustomed to giving orders and expecting them to be followed immediately. But Trevor wasn’t one of her minions or employees. He was the guy who was going to save her life.
Chapter 2
She looked at Trevor for what seemed like an eternity, but was really only a second or two. Her gaze was intense and it seemed to pierce him right through, making him feel open and vulnerable. Over the years he’d treated hundreds of vampires, lycans and witches in the city of Nouveau Monde but he’d never been around an Otherworld creature as potent as Mistress Guinevere was.
Standing, she reached up to the zipper on her gown and slid it down her side, over her hip, and letting it pool at her feet, she stepped out of it. Underneath she wore a bra and tiny panties.
He knelt to inspect her wound. Because of the inadequate light, he had to press his face close to her side just underneath the band of her bra. The wound had closed up some, a testament to the healing powers of vampires, and to his healing ability, but it appeared swollen and off color. It was definitely silver infected.
“I have to open it again. It’s infected.”
He glanced up at her. She nodded for him to go ahead.
Trevor opened his kit and took out his scalpel. It was standard issue for an EMT in Nouveau Monde for exactly situations like this. He poised the tip of the blade above the wound.
“This is going to hurt.”
“I have endured worse.”
As quick as he could, he sliced the wound open. She winced but didn’t move as he dug into the hole with a pair of forceps looking for the piece of silver that had to be inside.
He grimaced as he worked, knowing he was inflicting pain on Guinevere.
After another few seconds of poking and prodding, he found the offending shard and extracted it from her flesh. It was the size of a grain of rice, but had the ability to kill her.
He tossed the piece to the ground then set about closing up her wound again. He gently placed the palm of his right hand over her wound. Closing his eyes, he concentrated and forced all his healing powers through his hand and into her.
As he worked, Guinevere sucked in a breath and reached out to grab his head. She wrapped her fingers in his hair and pulled as his power stitched up her flesh and skin.
“Oh good Lord,” she muttered under her breath.
When he was finished, Trevor pulled his hand back and stood. The skin on his palm tingled like pins and needles. It didn’t normally feel like that.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
Her eyes were closed and she was bracing her other hand against the side of the tunnel to keep her balance. Slowly she opened her eyes and pinned him with her fierce gaze. Her eyes looked black. “I’ve never felt anything like that before.”
“I’m sorry if I hurt you.”
She smiled. “That was not pain I was feeling.”
“Oh.” He could feel his face flush and he dropped his gaze.
“You have an incredible power, Trevor.”
“Should I help you with your dress after I bandage you?”
She shook her head. “No. It’s too binding.”
“Aren’t you cold?” He couldn’t help his gaze from traveling over her svelte form. She was incredible to look at.
“I don’t feel the temperature.”
Trevor bent down to return the scalpel and forceps and to retrieve the bandages and tape from his kit. As quick as he could, he covered up her side. Then he stripped off his jacket, handing it to her.
“Here, just in case you get cold.”
She looked at the offered jacket and back at him. “Thank you for the gesture.” She took it and put it on.
“Now what?” He looked toward the drain cover. “Out into the river?”
Guinevere followed his gaze and nodded. “That is the only exit.”
He reached for the cover and pushed it out. There was a telltale splash as it hit the water. He poked his head out to survey the situation.
But she grabbed him and pulled him back in. “Someone is out there.”
Surprised, he scanned the river shore. “I don’t see anyone.”
“There’re two men beside the small clump of trees.”
Trevor squinted out into the night, searching the shoreline. He saw nothing. No, wait—he did see a dark shape beside the trees. The shape moved.
“How many people know about this tunnel?”
“Five including myself.”
“Could be just kids making out.”
Guinevere smiled grimly. “Kids carrying rifles?”
“You can see that?”
She nodded. He guessed he shouldn’t be that surprised. Vampires had far superior eyesight and hearing.
“What’s the plan then?”
“We jump and try not to get shot.”
Guinevere kicked off her shoes. Trevor watched, enthralled by her movements in the moonlight. After she was done, he continued to stare at her long shapely legs, and the point of their juncture. Everything she did was fluid and graceful, like watching a cat slink across the room. She was mesmerizing.
Guinevere slapped him hard across the face.
Trevor shook his head, shocked from the force of the blow. His eyes narrowed as he glared at her. “What was that for?”
“You’re not focused. You’re going to get hurt if you can’t think straight.”
He rubbed his stinging cheek. She was right. He had to get his head together. Thinking about touching her skin again was not going to get them safely out of here.
“I’ll go first. The men will likely start shooting, then you dive into the water and swim to the far shore.” Her eyes narrowed at him. “You can swim, I hope?”
“Yeah, I can swim.”
“Okay. We will meet back on shore.” She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his cheek. A tiny spark sizzled over his skin where she touched him. “Good luck.”
Without another word, she turned and jumped out of the tunnel. The sound of gunfire wasn’t far behind her.
Trevor leaned out and watched her hit the water, hopefully unscathed. Taking a deep breath, he flung himself out of the drain, diving into the river.
The moment he hit the water, Trevor lost all the air in his lungs. The bitter icy grip of the water squeezed the warmth from him. Almost instantly his body started to shut down.
He opened his eyes but saw nothing. It was black as the night. He was disoriented and in shock. He had no idea which way Guinevere had swum. He could do nothing but go up, and hope like hell that a bullet didn’t slam into his frozen head. He wouldn’t heal like the vampiress. The bullet whether it was lead or silver would kill him.
He swam to the surface and broke water. No bullets. So far so good. He was not far from the shore. Trevor had to get out of the water. It was too cold. He would get hypothermia before long, then he’d just be a floating target.
There was no noticeable movement on shore. He swam and crawled out onto the grass. He lay on his back to catch his breath. Already he was shivering. Before long he wouldn’t be able to move. He rolled over onto his side and gained his hands and knees.