I drove carefully. The last thing I wanted was to attract the police's attention. I didn't care much about getting a ticket for driving without a license, but it would delay getting into the Calvet estate, and Sariel's time was running out quickly. Fortunately, the road was empty. I took a turn onto a private road leading up a hill. I kept glimpsing at Sariel, watching him lose and regain his awareness while breathing heavily as the poison slowly corrupted his heart. I was terrified. I didn't know what I was doing. I only hoped that taking Sariel to the Calvet's estate was the right move.
Perhaps I should have cut my neck and then placed my bleeding flesh underneath Sariel's teeth. Perhaps I should have done it, but I was a coward. The last thing I wanted was to force him, and I couldn't bear it if he started to hate me. That was why I was willing to do whatever I could to save him without doing a single thing against him. Using my blood was my last resort.
Finally, I stopped at the huge gate. There was a stone on the left side of it. I knew I needed Sariel's blood to drive further, but could I do anything to hurt him while his condition already seemed critical?
"Sariel?" I gently patted his shoulder, hoping that he would stay conscious just a little longer. "I need your blood to take you to the estate," I muttered hesitantly.
He seemed semi-conscious as if he could understand my words, but he was like an empty shell, automatically following instructions without emotional contribution. He opened a glove box and took out a beautiful knife with a carved wooden handle. He looked at me with a blank stare and made a deep cut on the inner side of his palm. I flinched watching his entire hand painting in red. He gently handed me the bloodied knife without saying a word. I gulped, then got out of the car while carrying the knife. I stood in front of the stone and saw a little hole on top of it. I brought the knife right above the hole and let the drops of Sariel's blood drop from its edge. A few seconds later, the gate started to open. I sighed in relief.
I didn't even ask Gabriel if there was anyone living on the estate. Some part of me counted on the help of Calvet's servants. I was certain that any of them would be more experienced in matters of saving vampire's life than me.
As soon as we drove to the mansion's territory, the gate closed. I parked in front of the entrance of a magnificent residence that resembled another castle, only slightly more humble.
"Hello? Is anyone there?" I called out as I got out of the car.
No one answered. I should have expected that much. In normal circumstances, I would love to stay alone with the guy that made the butterflies in my stomach fly endlessly, but not now. At that moment, I was more than terrified.
I opened the door on the passenger’s side. "Sariel, I will save you, but I need your help. Do you understand me?" I said those words and prayed that he'd reply.
He slightly nodded his head and got out of the car. He did it while clenching his teeth and making a painful grimace, but still, he wouldn't let me touch him. He didn't say a word, just walked towards the entrance while swaying on his feet. Every time I wanted to make him lean on me, he would push me away. He then entered the main hall, stepped as far as the stairs, and collapsed onto the floor.
"Sariel!" I rushed to him, reaching out my arms to help him get up.
He stopped me with his strong glare.
"The storage is downstairs... The password is… 082175," he mumbled while heavily panting.
I nodded and dashed downstairs, looking for the door with a code locker. I found one at the end of the corridor. I entered the code Sariel gave me and the door opened. I was beyond happy. I could actually save him. I ran towards a big refrigerator and opened it.
"Two blood bags… There are only two blood bags," I muttered fearfully.
I didn't know how much blood Sariel needed to satisfy his hunger, not to mention if this much was enough to cure his silver poisoning. Nonetheless, I took both bags and rushed upstairs. I took the first bag, opened it, and slipped its pinhole into his lips. As soon as he felt the blood on the tip of his tongue, he emptied the whole bag. It took him a second. I handed him the second bag. He gazed at me with fire in his eyes. I liked it far better than his blank, lifeless stare. A faint smile appeared on my face. My heart started to race at the mere thought that I might have saved his life.
"Thank you…" he murmured, licking off the final drop of blood from his lips.
"Don't. It was you who saved my life… again. I'm just glad that drinking that much blood helped you." I smiled, relieved.
He smirked and got up from the floor. I was so relieved that I almost collapsed at his place. He saw me stumble and instantly reached out his hand to support me. It was clear that he had regained his strength.
"We will stay here tonight. I will contact my people to deliver more blood to the estate," Sariel stated.
"Well, about that…" I smiled awkwardly and then told him everything I heard from Gabriel.
Sariel's rage was obvious. The fact that the attacks had happened the exact time Sariel was out of the city, busy saving me was almost too convenient for those who planned it. Did Sariel's enemies collaborate with the werewolves, just like the Adragnas did? Was my kidnapping set just to lure Sariel out of New Argent City? Things became even more complicated again…
Sariel led me to the upper floor.
"My room is opposite to yours. You will find some women's clothes in the closet since Dominique tends to use them… I bet that she used most of the blood supplies while she was here last time." A full-of-annoyance smile painted on Sariel's face.
He opened the door to his room, but stopped at the threshold and looked at me.
"Take a shower and come to my room." He smirked and closed the door behind him.
My jaw literally dropped. Sariel's words sent an immediate wave of excitement to the most sensitive parts of my body. My one-track mind displayed the lewdest possible images, and there was no way I could get rid of them any time soon. I definitely needed a shower… a cold one!
I washed off the blood and mud from my skin and hair, then walked to the closet, hoping to find something I could wear. There were revealing lace dresses, deep neckline dresses, deep slit dresses, and dresses with a zipper going through all the length of the dress…
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