Start | Chapter Thirteen Part Two | Index | Chapter Fourteen Part One

“Thanks!” Anna began to stuff sandwiches into her mouth and barely managed to remind herself to chew before swallowing. Even so she was surprised when she cleared the entire plate. “I must have been even hungrier than I realised.”

“It’s fine,” Tanya said. “You’d missed a couple of meals. Do you want me to get you some more?”

Anna shook her head as she sank back into the pillows. “I think that’s enough for now. While you were gone I realised something. I can’t feel the presence of that vampire in my head any more. I don’t know why.”

“That’s good news, and I wouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth if I were you.” Tanya seemed unsurprised by this development. “But are you sure that he’s gone?”

Anna nodded and then groaned because her head still hurt when she did that. “It’s almost as if my being ill ejected him somehow,” she said once the pain abated. “I know it doesn’t make much sense, but I am sure that he is been gone since I collapsed this morning.”

“Actually it was yesterday morning.” She pointed to the clock by the bed which said it was just after 2am. You’ve been delirious off and on for about 17 hours.”

“And you didn’t even call a doctor?” Anna wasn’t sure how she knew that but she was sure the other woman hadn’t. A certainty which was confirmed when Tanya shook her head. “Why on earth not?”

“I had my reasons, Anna,” she said. “Trust me when I say that you were never in any danger.”

“Excuse me?” Anna exclaimed incredulously. “I was floating around the ceiling talking to my mother, who happens to be dead, I might add. I’d say that that was pretty much me being in danger.” Even as she said her instincts were informing her that Tanya had done the right thing, but still…

Are you claiming that you had an out of body experience?” Tanya chuckled softly at that. “From the way that you were twisting and mumbling to yourself I’d have to say that you were firmly in your body at all times. It must have been an hallucination.”

“But it felt so real,” Anna protested but then she thought about it. “Of course it would feel real I suppose.” She nearly shook her head, but decided against it and massaged her temples instead. “Can I have another drink?”

“Of course you can.” Tanya refilled the glass from the pitcher. “And then I think that you should get some proper sleep.”

“I am tired,” Anna admitted and then thought of something. “Did you tell Jason something? He’ll be worried sick otherwise.”

“I had Linda tell him you were staying over at hers,” Tanya said.

“You know Linda?” Anna frowned briefly at that and stared at Tanya. Linda was her best friend.

“Obviously, since I was able to ask her to cover for you,” Tanya replied dryly.

“How? Is Linda a hunter?” she asked.

Tanya laughed and shook her head. “No, just a friend. We do a martial arts class together.”

“Hmm, and yet you trusted her with this and she said yes. Which means she knows we know each other.” Anna narrowed her eyes. “Which is a breech of the security protocol. You’ve been breeching protocol a lot for me.”

Tanya shrugged slightly. “This is more important than protocols that don’t actually work to protect anyone. Anyway there wasn’t anyone in the Order who I could ask.”

“Yes, but you really have broken a lot of rules for me,” Anna said. “I want to know why.”

“I am sorry.” Tanya sighed deeply. “But I really can’t explain right now, but I promise you’ll understand what’s going on in a few weeks.” She held the straw to Anna’s lips again. “Drink up and then get some sleep. It’ll restore your strength and you really look like you need it.”

Anna sipped on the juice for a moment and then looked at Tanya with narrowed eyes. Her instincts were saying Tanya was a friend and she could trust her and even though the woman wouldn’t explain her actions supported that. “Okay,” she said finally. “Just promise me that you’ll explain everything once you can.”

“I promise,” Tanya said seriously.

“Thank you.” Anna finished the juice and lay back on the pillows. “But I think I need to visit the loo before I try to sleep and I am not sure my legs will carry me.”

“Ah, I should have expected that, I guess,” Tanya said. “Here, let me help you.”

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Start | Chapter Thirteen Part Two | Index | Chapter Fourteen Part One