The Stars Lie {Myrnin, Morganville Vampires}

Firepower!

Chapter 57 –No specific POV– Firepower!

"Oh no!" Rhysian quickly explained. "I am not going to turn you. My blood will heal you."

Claire relaxed and then wrinkled her nose. "Ugh...I really do not want to do that."

Adrianna teased in encouragement, "It's not so bad."

Claire rolled her eyes and replied, "To you."

Rhysian slid one hand under Claire's head to gently tilt her forward so that she wasn't lying flat on her ground.

Claire moaned in pain, her eyes rolling back slightly.

Worry lines creased Rhysian's forehead. He brought his mouth down to his free arm and effortlessly opened a vein in his wrist. He didn't give Claire time to think about it; instead he clamped it against her open lips quickly, forcing her to swallow.

Claire choked and sputtered, fighting her gag reflex at the sour metal taste, and sudden reduced oxygen. She couldn't keep the few tears from rolling down her face.

Rhysian's expression twisted and he promised quietly, "It won't take much."

And then it was over. Rhysian freed her mouth, but continued to hold the back of her head steady as they waited for the blood to take effect.

Claire's face was still turned in a sour expression from the lingering taste in her mouth. "Water..." she whispered hoarsely. Adrianna shot across the lab, startling Claire. That was going to take some getting used to, she contemplated. Before she could even fully realize her train of thought, a cold bottle of water was placed at her lips; Adrianna smiled gently at her.

Claire whispered, "Thanks." She drank deeply to wash the taste of Rhysian's blood from her mouth. She noticed her pain was rapidly decreasing, and slowly flexed her arms and legs, testing to see how far she could move without pain. She was fairly certain she could get up now and glanced up to Rhysian. "Help a girl off the floor?" she said with a half-smile.

"Of course, Bebe'," he nodded and lifted her to a sitting position, before grasping her hand and pulling her to her feet.

Without warning, Rhysian released Claire and tackled Adrianna to the ground.

Claire screamed, "Rhysian, no!!!"

Adrianna didn't stay down for long. She hissed and twisted her body sharply to the side, to wrench herself out of his grasp. She stood in a half crouch, her eyes crimson and spat, "What the hell was that for?"

"Lesson number one," he explained as he lithely circled to her side.

Claire's brain caught up. He was teaching her to fight! Adrianna must have understood as well, because she gritted her teeth and called, "Bring it on."

"You won't survive hand-to-hand combat; not with these trained vampires, so focus on diversion and evasion. Use your entire body to change directions and spin," he instructed.

Adrianna nodded as Rhysian disappeared. Claire sucked in a deep breath, waiting for the impact she fully expected. Shockingly, Adrianna spun violently, and evaded his grip by just centimeters.

He lunged for her again, and caught her this time, throwing her back down to the ground with a deafening thud.

"Rhysian!" Claire shouted, appalled at his use of force.

"No! They aren't going to hold back," Adrianna cut her off as she painfully pulled herself up and locked her features into a fearsome expression.

"Again," she commanded.