seven years he'd known this feeling, the precursor to the Pact Strain. Ethan

s late now, e

im in years. Liam was human, vibrant, everything Ethan was not anymore. Victoria had brought him to the est

ough his veins, demanding release. His

nd him leaning against the

n, are yo

s soft, worr

eed her," Ethan mana

er kind eyes fi

, sir. She's w

drawing-room doo

Ethan is... unwell. He r

voice, shar

. Can't you s

l, cold

s his small room in the servants' wing, his vision blurring. The pact demanded b

to his forearm. A thin red line appeared, then welled. The pressure inside him eased, just a fraction. Not

nst the pale grain. He slumped against the wall, pa

the burner phone, the one Seraphina had given hi

can't do t

ly came

Are yo

the words. Ready

Hel

Stay s

cleaned his wounds with gentle hands, h

treat you this

Maria brought him weak tea and toa

efreshed. Liam was awake, apparently. She saw Ethan, hi

ual. And be q

od, warmed. He prepared

toria was there, perched on the edge of an ottoman, L

sniffed it, and her f

proper food. Human food. He

t Ethan, some of the dark li

hed, his

stuff, Vic?

ghed, a dism

ave to... well, feed from him sometimes. Don't worry your ha

Bound Attendant. H

ore, shattered. He saw it then, the full extent of his s

oom, the discarded gob

glanced at his bandaged arm again. A tiny

you shouldn't h

was softer

t time, I'll save

e. He knew it.