Alpha Asher by Jane

Chapter 236

“Unless you want to carry the two of us the entire way, I’m going to need some blood.” I groaned.

The second Ember removed the cuffs, my body slumped forward like a sack of bricks.

My flesh had become a dead weight that refused to cooperate with my exhausted brain. Concrete bit into the palms of my hands as I struggled to stand to my feet. Ember huffed and released her hold on Brandon, letting him crash to the floor as she knelt at my side.

“Agh! Fuck, Ember. Could you have been any rougher?” Brandon groaned, cradling his bloody wrists against his chest.

She side-eyed him and said, “Yes, actually. I could’ve.”

“Well, thanks for being gentle.” Brandon shot back sarcastically.

Ember thrust out her arm, her wrist inches from my face. She stared down at me with a scowl on her face. It deepened when I stared at her through cloudy, disoriented eyes.

“I don’t care if you’re on your death bed, this is a one-time offer. Bite me and take some blood before I change my mind.”

My vision doubled as I reached out and wrapped my hand around her arm, feeling for a soft, fleshy spot to sink my teeth into.

“Don’t have to tell me twice.” I muttered, bringing her arm to my mouth.

A faint hiss slid past her lips as my teeth sliced through the layers of skin covering her muscle, carving a path to the blood- filled veins below. If I wasn’t losing strength with every passing second, I might’ve found it strange that I was biting Ember of all people, drinking her blood like it was the nectar of the gods.

Come to think of it, the flavor was a bit different. Much like her scent, Ember’s blood had a kick of spice to it, like it had been infused with cinnamon, clove, and hints of a crackling bonfire. The warmth of her blood spread throughout my body, increasing in heat until it was almost painful. Just as I felt the lick of actual flames against the inside of my veins, it vanished. In its stead came strength and a weightlessness that made my limbs tingle.

The wounds around my wrists, ankles, and neck began to fade, the skin stitching itself back together with the help of my magic.

“Don’t drink me dry, now. Thirsty bitch

“Ember grunted; her voice laced with pain.

I pulled away and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. Ember sat back on her haunches before losing her balance. Her butt hit the cement floor with a light thud. She blinked a few times in rapid succession, shaking her head as though she were trying to clear away the cobwebs.

Brandon was slumped against the wall, watching the two of us with an expression I recognized all too well.

“That was kind of hot.”

and I snapped in

Just like Tessa, there was no way I’d trust this

and my strength slowly on the mend. I made my way to Brandon holding out a hand that he didn’t hesitate to accept. As I helped him to his feet, I

help but thrash against the cuffs. I could only heal them about three quarters of the way before I felt my energy wane. There were still bands of red skin where the metal had touched him, but they were no longer festering. That had to be good

commented,

going before Freya comes back

Ember said pointedly.

I could think otherwise. “If Freya

an errand. Don’t ask me what it is because I don’t have a

that we need to be long gone before she comes back, or we’re all screwed.” Ember replied, scaling the three concrete steps that sat before the heavy wooden door blocking

the door swung open. Beyond it was a set of stairs cloaked in heavy darkness. The only source of light came from a

hitting Brandon and I with

it as laughter. The laughter didn’t belong to

in DVD player. The screen was oversaturated with color, though that could’ve been due to the kids show that was playing. As we stepped into the kitchen,

next was a giggle, one too real to

The tile floors had a checker pattern that stood out against the pale-yellow cabinets. There was a white kitchen table at the center and sitting in one of the wooden chairs was a little girl.

side of her head. The little white bows

the little girl slowly. I couldn’t help but notice how her movements were slow and almost cautious. It set me on edge, Brandon

unnaturally soft. The tone sounded strange with her slightly raspy voice.

but upon noticing Ember, the little girl smiled. That smile was wiped away when she turned her head further to the right and spotted Brandon and

into an ‘o’ and stayed that

that I could see the

closer, I noticed a sparkly sheen over the girl’s eyelids and her eyelashes appeared longer than normal. Wait, was she wearing

realized. The child had a full face of make-up on, foundation and all, but it was applied in a way that was meant to look natural. Even her clothes were odd, nothing like what you’d see a child in today’s time wearing. She had on a baby-pink dress with white lace and frills that circled her neck,

looked like a baby doll.

them that made my stomach twist into knots. Could she see

subtle nod she gave me was answer enough.

girl, gasped. She lifted her finger, which was painted pink with a strip

were just saying how bored you

eyes sparkling as she squealed and flashed

and I, her

She chirped, her eyes flitting between

the line, it was high time I learned. I mimicked Ember’s