Dark Seduction (Vampire Royals of New York #2) - Sarah Piper Page 0,96

chest. Ignoring the blood covering his body, he scooped her into his arms and got to his feet, drawing her close. “I’ve got you now, love. And I’m not letting you go.”

Chapter Thirty-Six

Charley should have felt the needle.

She should’ve winced at the pain, but instead she was numb, sitting on a stool in the overly bright Ravenswood kitchen while Colin stitched up the cut inside her lower lip.

All of them had offered to heal her with vampire blood, but she was too afraid to try it, certain she was close enough to death that vampire blood would turn her.

Both of her hands were bandaged, and someone had stripped off her clothes and put her in one of Dorian’s oversized white T-shirts, but she didn’t remember it happening. Vaguely, she was aware of Dorian standing behind her, his strong hands gently rubbing her back as Colin finished his work.

There was a woman too. Isabelle—the witch who’d helped Dorian. He must’ve called her, but Charley didn’t remember that either. She’d been trying to do a tracking spell to locate Sasha, but without one of Sasha’s possessions on hand, she wasn’t having much luck.

Dorian’s touch was warm, but despite his calm demeanor, he was nervous; Charley could feel the slight tremble in his fingers. Somehow, he’d gotten to her in time. He’d dragged her out of that dumpster and carried her away from the clutches of something dark and evil—something she’d felt so certain was coming for her.

If those grays had been able to get into the dumpster…

She closed her eyes, willing away the images.

She’d been saved. That’s what mattered.

The thought should’ve brought her a measure of relief.

But every kind word, every gentle touch, every concerned look… It only made her feel worse.

Charley glanced down at her hands. The white bandages around her palms were stark against her red, raw skin. She wanted to scream.

These were the hands that couldn’t save my sister.

At her fresh tears, Colin assured her he was almost finished. But like Dorian’s gentle touch, his brother’s words couldn’t comfort her. They couldn’t bring Sasha back from the monsters who’d taken her.

“All set,” he finally said, packing up his medical supplies. He turned to Dorian and rattled off instructions for caring for Charley’s wounds, something about checking on her every hour at night. She should’ve been listening more attentively, but she couldn’t focus.

And then Colin was gone, leaving her alone in the kitchen with Dorian. Her vampire. The man who saved her. The man she loved.

The man she didn’t deserve.

“How do you feel?” Dorian asked gently.

Charley ran her tongue along the inside of her lip, wincing when she hit the stitches. Her head throbbed, and beneath the bandages, her palms stung. She vaguely remembered Colin flushing out her cuts with something that smelled like a hospital and burned like hell.

Her own uncle had done this to her. He’d kidnapped her sister. He was…

Oh, God.

“Rudy’s a demon,” she whispered.

“I know, love. You told me. We’re going to figure this out. Gabriel’s working on it—Cole and Aiden too. All of us. We won’t rest until Sasha’s safe and your uncle is…”

Charley nodded.

Dead. On fire. Tortured. Banished to hell.

Whatever got the job done.

Fear reached into Charley’s chest again, squeezing her heart as Rudy’s words echoed through her mind.

She’ll be well taken care of… As long as you cooperate… you’ll be reunited…

He’d promised to return Sasha to Charley after the heist, but she knew better than to believe him.

He was a fucking demon.

A shudder wracked her limbs.

I have to find my sister. Now.

She hopped up from the kitchen stool, but the sudden movement made her swoon.

“Easy,” Dorian said, steadying her.

She lowered herself back to the stool and closed her eyes.

“Sasha,” she whispered. “They took her.”

“I know, love.”

“Did you see them drive off?”

“No.” Dorian stroked her cheek. “We found you in a different alley altogether.”

He told her the story, but she suspected it wasn’t the first time she’d heard it. Her mind was so hazy. Her uncle, the demon eyes, the grays… All of it was blurring together.

“Silas,” she blurted out. “That was the vampire with Rudy. He tried to compel me.”

“I know.” Dorian pressed a kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering for an eternity.

Charley grabbed his hand and held it to her cheek, slowly shaking her head. “I don’t remember. Why don’t I remember?”

“Shock, most likely,” Dorian said. “But Isabelle and Colin have both assured me you’re going to be okay. Just a little banged up is all. We need to watch you