Chapter 44: Born Again

“Don’t pass out,” Parker heard Lucien’s voice far off in the distance. She struggled to hold onto what feelings she had about the present. She couldn’t feel her body, though. She didn’t know where she was, and she had no sense of what was around her.

Something touched her lips. Instinctively, Parker pulled back, but it came to her mouth again. Some warm liquid.

“Drink, Parker, before the wound closes,” he heard a strong order. Parker parted her lips and the warm liquid dripped into her mouth. When the drops touched her tongue, she felt a spark of awareness fill her.

Her whole body woke up again, and Parker grabbed at Lucien’s wrist, which was pressed to her mouth. She sucked at the cut on his wrist, drinking the thick, flavorful blood that poured into her, filling her veins and her body with new life.

After a moment, Lucien pulled his wrist away. Parker hissed and grabbed at it again. Lucien held her back and shook his head.