Page 46 of Tainted Souls
“Surprise me,” I say, disappearing into my bathroom.
I strip off my clothes and step into the shower, letting the hot water wash away the dirt and grime of the past few days. The steam fogs the glass as I scrub myself clean, watching the dried blood swirl down the drain.
About ten minutes later, I’m toweling off, my mind already feeling clearer. At least for a while, I can pretend that my worldisn’t falling apart, that Max isn’t lying in a hospital bed with red eyes and fangs, and that I’m not being hunted by forces I don’t understand. At least for a while, I can pretend everything is just fine.
In my bedroom, I change into pajamas before padding back to the living room, where Evan and Haden have already queued up a movie. Cowboys won.
I settle between them, tucking my feet underneath me as the ridiculously over-the-top opening credits roll. The plot is absolutely nonsensical, something about gunslingers terrorizing a frontier town, but the mindless entertainment is exactly what I need. We all laugh at the terrible special effects and groan at the cheesy one-liners, passing drinks and snacks between us.
By the end of the movie, my head rests on Evan’s shoulder and my legs are stretched across Haden’s lap. The tension I’ve been carrying since that night at Hot Shot has finally begun to ebb, replaced by a comfortable numbness.
Halfway through the second movie, I find myself thinking about Max again. Is he finding the same comfort with his friends that I’ve found with mine? Or is he feeling more isolated than ever?
As if on cue, my phone buzzes. I instantly reach for it, expecting another message from the hospital about Max’s condition.
Instead, it’s from Max himself.
Where are you?
I sit up straighter, typing back quickly.
At home. How are you feeling?
The reply comes immediately.
Trapped. Claustrophobic. The walls keep closing in and everything is too loud. Please come back ?
Concern spikes through me.
It’s not uncommon for new vampires to feel that way, but Max has never been good at being confined, and now, with enhanced senses, the sterile hospital environment must be especially overwhelming.
A couple of sedatives and medication usually do the trick, but he textedmefor a reason. I’m not passing up the chance to remind him why.
I type a quick reply:
On my way. Be there soon.
“I need to go,” I announce, already standing.
Evan pauses the movie. “What’s wrong?”
“Max needs me. He’s freaking out at the hospital.”
Haden’s brow furrows. “Aren’t visiting hours over?”
“Yes,” I say, already heading to my bedroom to change. “That’s why I’m breaking him out.”
They don’t protest. This isn’t my first rodeo after all.
I throw on some standard-issue combat jeans and a fitted bodice that ends in a V-shape just under my navel.
From the lower drawer of my closet, I draw my spare dagger and slide it into the holster attached to my thigh. A lumen pocket knife fits neatly inside my shoe, and two tungsten kunai hang from hooks at my hip before I slip into a long coat that hides everything. Just cause I’m not expecting trouble doesn’t mean I won’t be prepared for it.
Last time was a reminder that I always should be.
In the kitchen, I throw together a makeshift picnic. There’s blodas, plasma snacks, some human food for me, and a small bottle of wine. I pack it all into a backpack along with a blanket.
Evan leans against the doorframe, his hands in his pockets as he watches me with amusement. “Midnight picnic? How romantic.”
