Free Fallen Ever After by A. C. James Page A

thick, almost as if I’d been drugged. Thirsty.
    “Holly, you have to try to open your eyes. But don’t try to sit up…not just yet.”
    Arie’s steady voice smashed through the blissful fog of oblivion that was grasping to pull me back under. My head throbbed and I winced. When I opened my eyes fractionally, his pale face and gray eyes loomed over me. I looked down at my arms, expecting my skin to be blistered and boiled, but much to my surprise it remained unmarred. Relief washed over me. I thought the poison that I’d drawn out of the vampire would affect me the same way it had burned those who drank it directly. Splintered sunlight. The thought wouldn’t have made much sense to me if I hadn’t experienced what the poison felt like firsthand.
    “I’m okay,” I said, trying to reassure him. “I feel like hell, but I’m okay. Just help me up.”
    Arie brushed a curl off my face, fear receding to the background as he realized that I really was okay. “God, Holly. I thought you were dead… like the others.”
    Like the others? “What others?”
     
    “Some of them didn’t…” Julian said, trailing off. His face was drawn.
    I pushed myself up and Arie took my arm as he guided me to a seated position. Part of me needed to know that everything was okay and confirm it for myself, but then another part of me didn’t want to look. It reminded me of the tragic car accidents on the highway. I couldn’t stop myself from looking for survivors, even though I couldn’t stand to see death.
    It hurt when I tried to turn my head, but my pain was quickly forgotten when I saw the bar. Chairs and tables had been overthrown by vampires who had caught on fire, or by those trying to get out of their way. Broken glass sparkled on the marble and spilled blood which mixed with the poisoned Puncture that painted the floor. Everywhere I looked there were vampires slumped over with markings that disfigured their pale skin. The bodies of five vampires who had been burned to death were lined up in front of the bar.
    “Oh, God.” I shook my head.
    I knew they were dead. There was no way someone could look that charred and survive. I had to look away.
    “I don’t understand. Why are they dead? Why are others only… scarred?” Trying to form words and make my brain cooperate with my mouth was painful. “Can someone get me some water?”
    The female vampire whose skin had been melting rushed to my aid, grabbing a bottle of San Pellegrino from behind the bar. She unscrewed the cap and knelt to hand it to me. Grateful for its cool crispness, I took a swig.
    “Thank you.” I gestured with the water bottle.
    She shook her head. “No, I should be the one thanking you. You saved my life. If not for you, I might look like one of them.” She looked toward the crispy remains of the five vampires lined up, wrinkling her nose.
    There were no words to describe how bad the place smelled, but I knew I would never forget what burning flesh smelled like. Two bouncers grabbed one of the bodies, each taking an end, and started carting it off as if they were simply moving a piece of awkward furniture. I figured they were probably disposing of it. I put my hand over my mouth. The smell of burnt vampire pulp permeated the air and I felt like I was going to be sick all over again.
    “I just don’t understand why they’re dead and the others are not.” I nodded toward the vampires that had been disfigured from drinking the poisoned Puncture but for some reason had survived the attack. Some already looked like they were starting to heal.
    “And why didn’t they start frying from the first sip?” Arie asked.
    “Obviously, it’s not instantaneous. Christ, you take two aspirin and it takes at least twenty minutes before it even starts to help,” Julian muttered.
    Julian shoved his hands in his pockets, looking increasingly uncomfortable.
    “I suppose there’s metabolism to account for, and it didn’t seem like they all combusted at the same