Free Lost Embrace (Immortals of New Orleans #6.5) by Kym Grosso Page A

crisp cotton sheets. After she’d fainted, he’d gathered her into his arms, cursing himself for not seeing the signs. He’d dismissed her shaky hands, but knew she’d never show fear. Before her accident, the threat in the shower wouldn’t have caused her to falter. While she’d been temporarily nourished, it wasn’t nearly enough for a new vampire to thrive. As if she was a newborn, she’d need frequent feedings.
    When he’d left Mya’s apartment, he’d instructed Luca to wait for Xavier, so they could turn it over for clues. Despite his orders, Kade suspected they wouldn’t find anything else. Pat Scurlock meant to toy with Sydney. Like a cat batting around a mouse, he’d play with her first, making his kill all the more sweet. Delighting in a sick sense of torture, Pat sought to instill both fear and guilt.
    Kade had asked Anthony to help him transfer Sydney back to the house. He played the scenario in his head, the act scrolling through his brain. A mixture of excitement and apprehension arrested his thoughts, and he prayed Sydney would accept the inevitable.
    After they’d arrived home, he’d given her a bath. Cleaning the stench of the evening away, he’d washed Mya’s blood from her skin. He’d dressed her in a warm robe and brought the covers up over her hips. Brushing a stray hair from Sydney’s eyes, he studied her face and considered how much he loved her. Sharing her with Anthony would be the ultimate act of devotion, yet he was fully prepared to see it through. He wasn’t sure why he thought it would work, but instincts told him that she’d never allow herself to hurt her friend.
    Kade turned his head toward the door, where Anthony stood silently watching. Wearing only a pair of pajama pants, he stood bare-chested. Kade gave him a small smile and waved him into the room. As the detective made his way toward the bed, Kade leaned to kiss Sydney’s forehead. Her eyes flickered open in response. She stared up into his eyes wearing a look of confusion.
    “Hey there, how’re you feeling, love?”
    “I, um…” Sydney’s eyes darted from Kade to Anthony, who stood next to the bed. “How did I get here?”
    “You had a little spell is all.”
    “I passed out, didn’t I?” She groaned.
    “Not unexpected, I’m afraid. I should have watched you more carefully,” he apologized.
    “This isn’t your fault.”
    “I should have known you were about to get sick.”
    “How would you…?”
    Kade cocked an eyebrow at her and smiled.
    “Hmm…you know everything, huh?” Sydney moved to sit up, but fell back onto the pillow in exhaustion.
    “Just relax, now.”
    “Back in the bathroom, I don’t know what happened. I remember feeling dizzy, hungry. I need blood again, don’t I?” she asked.
    “I may omit details every now and then,” he gave a small laugh, looked up to Anthony and back to her, “but I’ll never lie to you. You need to eat.”
    “Where am I going to get blood? Mya’s gone.” She sighed and closed her eyes. “I can’t do this, Kade. I can’t bring one more donor into our house. I can’t do it. There’s something wrong with me. I’m a terrible vampire.”
    “No you’re not. You’re just a little fang challenged.” He smiled down at her, gently sliding the back of his hand over her cheek.
    “I’m the worst.” Her gaze moved to Anthony, who leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. Her eyes lit up and she reached for him. “Tony. What are you doing all the way over there? Come here.”
    “You scared me, there. How’s your head?” he asked.
    “My head?” Sydney smoothed her hand over her hair. When she found the knot, she grimaced. “Shit. I thought being a vampire was supposed to give me some kind of super healing power?”
    “You need to feed,” Kade told her.
    “But I did.”
    “More often. At least every day for a few weeks. It won’t always be this way, but you haven’t been well.” Kade brushed his lips to her forehead.
    “I can’t