A Werewolf, A Vampire, and A Fae Walk Into A Bar (Book 1 of The Last Witch Series) novel Chapter 39

"I'm sorry, I must have hit my head harder than I thought, because it sounded like you said I magically stopped our car from killing me and--I don't know--wrinkling your outfit?" My voice carries in it all the disbelief I feel, mixed with an unhealthy dose of adrenaline and raw nerves.

"That is correct," he says, tugging on his jacket. "My clothing is not wrinkled."

I raise an eyebrow. "That's your takeaway from this?"

"My takeaway is that a small thread of your grandmother's powers traveled through me and into you, though I do not know how such a thing would be possible." He tightens his lips in annoyance.

"Oh, is that hard for you?” I say, laying the sarcasm on real thick. “Something’s out of the ordinary and confusing? Poor little vampire."

He ignores my comment, so I ignore him, and instead I look down at my hands like I just grew them from scratch and they might start spitting out lightning or magic balls any moment. When nothing extraordinary happens, I sigh, a little disappointed. I've never understood in books and movies why the heroine or hero resists when they find out they're special or have magic. Music was what made me special, and I was--and am--grateful for it. Otherwise, I would have been just another small-town girl who ended up married to her high school sweetheart and popping out kids while stealing away every week for a night at the pub.

I close my eyes, letting the painful truth wash over me. If it weren't for the Sexies showing up, that's exactly where my life was headed even with this musical gift I’ve been cultivating for years. Well, maybe except the part about being married to my high school sweetheart.

How did I end up here? I was on the right path, the path that led out of Rowley and into the great wide world where all my dreams lived, when I self-sabotaged and ended up right back where I started.

I wouldn't trade Rain for anything, but I wish I could have had her under...smarter circumstances. But then again, aren’t these the circumstances that brought these men into my life? Things might be difficult and complicated, but I’m not particularly eager to see them leave, if I’m being honest with myself. Even though that’s what will ultimately happen, with or without my baby.

Okay, enough self-loathing. Jesus, a fleeting moment of thinking I was magical and now I want to throw a huge pity party. Buck up, Bernie.

I look back at Darius, who's watching me carefully.

"What? Did I grow horns or something?"

He shakes his head. "But you are exhibiting signs of a serious concussion."

"Pft. I'm fine." But even as I say it, I realize I've been slurring my words this whole time, and everything is a bit fuzzy around the edges. The fact that I didn't even notice scares me more than the actual symptoms. "Let's just get back to the bar."

But as I try to start the car, it sputters and dies. "Shit."

"You are in no position to drive. Nor is your vehicle, it would appear."

"Ha, very funny mister. What do you recommend?"

"First, we must heal you. Then, I will carry you home."

My head begins to pound, like the pain was on a temporary leave of absence and is back in full form. I slump against my seat and close my eyes. Just for a moment.

I start awake at the sound of Darius calling my name.

"Shhh... " I hiss, not opening my eyes. "You're making it worse."

"Bernie, you need to look at me."

I really want vamp boy to back the hell off and let me sleep, but then I remember where we are and what just happened and my heart starts thumping aggressively against my rib cage, jolting me back to reality. "Shit. Okay, I'm here. You mentioned healing? Yes, let's do that before I lose it again. Do you have something like Rune's magic elixirs?"

Darius smirks. "Something like that. But it's more... direct from the source."

"Right, well, lay it on me. I'm ready to go home."

I expect the vampire to pull a vial of some glowing shit out of his pocket, like a normal magical dude. Instead, his eye teeth elongate and he brings his wrist up to his mouth and... bites!

"What are you doing?"

He offers me his blood, pulsing out of his vein, like it’s a delicacy.