She woke in the late afternoon, more exhausted than when she'd gone to bed. Nightmares clung like cobwebs; flashing fangs, lifeless eyes, pain, pleasure, burning vampires. She needed Jorick, and where was he? He'd stormed off and left her alone in the middle of a vampire fortress!
She peeled off the bandage and checked the wound in the mirror. The puncture marks were bigger and rougher than usual. They nearly blended into one another, as if Verchiel had tried to bite clear through her neck in his frenzy.
Her wrist was sore, but she could finally get it wet. She took a shower and dressed in the same old clothes again. As she flopped on the bed, she decided that she should start carrying extra underwear in her pockets. Then she wouldn't feel so disgusting.
The room closed in on her. The
