He had a point. It hadn’t been her job to fight bloodsuckers and the one time she’d had to, she’d been turned into one. Her mind worked quickly and an idea surfaced. “The sun will rise soon. I’ll pass out. Until then, I’ll stay in the bathroom. I won’t be able to smell the blood or hear your heartbeats. You can block the door to make sure I don’t get out.”

Lavos frowned.

“It’s a good plan. Lorn will heal during the day and he’ll be able to feed me when I wake at nightfall.”

“So you want me to trap my brother’s starving mate in the john and be okay with that?” He shook his head. “I wouldn’t do that to someone I don’t like, and we’re now family. Lorn thinks of you as his mate, even though it’s not official yet.”

“I won’t feed off you. Do you want to shower before I go in there?”

“I’m not leaving you alone with my brother. Your damn eyes are still glowing and you have fangs.”

She ran her tongue over her upper teeth. They weren’t fully extended but he was right. “Fine. I’ll be in the bathroom. Block it.”

She tried to get past him but he gripped her upper arm, jerking her close. His heartbeat sounded louder and she twisted her head away, lowering her jaw.

“Let go.”

“You’ll wake him if you start screaming.”

She flinched and raised her head, peering into his eyes. “Hit me and knock me out then.”

He jerked his hand away, obviously horrified. “Lorn would fucking kill me!”

“A punch won’t hurt me now. I’ll recover.”

“No way. He’d rip me apart if I decked you.”

“I’ll try to be quiet then.” She strode into the cramped space and closed the door, turning on the small light.

Everything remained wet from Lorn’s shower. That was the bad thing about his tiny bathroom. She reached up on a high shelf and grabbed a dry folded towel, using it to wipe water from the top of the toilet seat and the walls next to it. She threw it on top of the sink and took a seat. She bent forward, placing her elbows on her legs, her fists curled to prop up her chin.

The sun would come up and she’d conk out. That’s what Vampires as young as her did. She’d just have to keep it together until then and ignore the growing pain in her stomach.

* * * * *

Lorn jerked awake and tried to sit up. He instantly remembered his injuries as pain tore through his stomach and along his back. A low keening filled his ears and he glanced around, taking in his den.

Lavos leaned against the bathroom door, his shoulders pressed tight against it, feet braced on the floor.

“Where is Kira?”

Lavos met his stare and grimaced. “Um…”

Lorn got up fast. “Is she in there?”

“Yeah. She’s hungry and wouldn’t let me feed her. I offered. She was quiet for a long time but then she woke. The sun is up. I guess that’s the good news, right? She should be out cold. You feeding her must be having a positive effect, since she’s so new she shouldn’t be able to do that.”

Lorn found a pair of boxers and shoved them on. “Move. Let her out.”

“I promised her I’d keep her in until you were healed.” Lorn glanced at him. “Damn. You opened up your stomach a little by moving so fast. You’re seeping blood again.”

Lorn didn’t care. The sounds Kira made tormented him. He crossed the small space and gripped Lavos. “Move.”

Lavos stiffened his body and refused to budge. “You’re still pale and you’ve already lost too much blood. No.”

“Do you want to fight? Let her out.”

“Let me feed her and I will.”

“She’s mine!”

“Fine. You hold her. I’ll give her my wrist. I’m willing to compromise. Think, damn it! You have to meet with the clan in about five hours. You look like shit still. Blood loss right now will only make it worse. They’ll expect you to be strong. Otherwise some idiot is going to feel bold enough to challenge. They’ve had time to let the shock of last night pass, Lorn. The unthinkable already happened once when Decker lost leadership. Some might use this opportunity for a power play. Especially if you’re weaving on your damn feet! That’s what’s going to happen if you strain your body more.”

Scratching came from the other side of the door. It made Lorn crazy. “She’s hurting! Get out of the way.”

“Only if you let me feed her. I’m not fucking around, bro. You do look like shit. Not kidding.”

“You feed me, and then I’ll feed her.”

Lavos’s mouth dropped open. He recovered fast. “You’re a jealous lunatic. Do you realize that? I’m your damn brother. What do you think I’m going to do? Fuck your mate?”

“Of course not. I just don’t know if I can stand by and watch her take your blood without losing my sanity.”

“You’re pigheaded and already insane. I never want to find a mate if this is the kind of crazy shit I have to look forward to. You’ve lost the ability to be rational. Get a damn grip.”

Kira whimpered and scratched louder on the door.

“Let her out!” Lorn demanded.

“You hold her. I feed her. Otherwise, fuck you. I’m not only your brother but your lead enforcer. That makes me your advisor too, since you haven’t chosen one. Fucking listen! You need to regain your strength before you lose more blood. You have to present yourself to your new clan in five hours.”

Lorn knew Lavos was right, but he still hated it. “Fine. I’ll hold her.” He turned, glanced around, and then nodded. “Let her out. I’ll grab her and you feed her by your wrist.”

“She might be wild.”

“Because you let her starve!”

“She was the one who went in there and asked me to make sure she didn’t get out. Don’t pin this on me. Ready?”

Lorn backed up a few feet and opened his arms, body tensing.

Lavos jumped away from the door and Kira burst out. Her eyes were glowing bright blue, her mouth open and showing off her fangs.

She tried to go for Lavos.

“Kira!” Lorn snarled. “No! Come here.”

Her attention fixed on him and she growled low. There wasn’t recognition in her gaze. He had become food. She came at him fast but he was able to grip her upper arms and keep her back. She cried out and tried to bite him.