Bound to Blackwood by Sharon Lipman Read Free Book Online

soft. Wet and soft.”
    “Okay. He’s not healing yet.”
    “That’s good, right?”
    Phoenix was silent for an eternity before he replied. “Yeah… It’s good. Just hold on, Lena. They’re on their way.” His voice did not quite match the conviction of his words.
    Thorn and Mercury materialised beside them. The King ignored Lena, knelt down beside Kaden, and whispered in his ear, “I Thorn Blackwood, King of our race will keep you safe, Keeper of the Watch. You will not die this night.” Then he bit into his own wrist and forced the blood into Kaden’s mouth. Stronger than that of any other Vampire, the King’s blood would sustain Kaden until they got back to the mansion. Kaden’s pallor already looked better.
    “I’ve called Soraya; she’ll meet us at the medical centre.” Thorn said. Soraya was his sister and a qualified doctor.
    Lena let out a sigh of relief; she trusted Phoenix with her life, but she knew this kind of injury was way out of his league. Thorn’s voice showed little emotion and he still would not meet Lena’s gaze. She looked away in utter dismay. Mercury didn’t say anything either.
    “To me, Guardians.”
    Lena stood up and watched Thorn scoop Kaden into his strong arms. The Keeper of the Watch was not a small Vampire, but Thorn looked like he carried a child. Lena stood behind their King and placed a shaky, bloodstained hand on his immense shoulders. Mercury did the same. With their powers combined, all four dematerialised.
     

 
     
    Chapter 4
     
    Thorn perched on Soraya's office chair, carefully distributing his weight. The pink chair wasn't designed to support the average man, let alone Thorn's 6 foot 7 frame. It looked like it was made out of bubblegum and was a weird shape, like a ball with a square cut out of it to sit in. Thorn thought it ridiculous, but it suited Soraya.
    He swivelled round to look at the equally impractical curved desk and the chair gave a groan of protest. He decided not to test its strength any longer and instead moved to the large armchair by the bookcase. It too was pink and was loaded up with pretty cushions.
    Thorn leant forward with his elbows on his knees and held his head in his hands. He was Vampire enough to admit that the thought of losing Kaden scared the shit out of him. He pushed out a frustrated sigh and raked his hands through his hair. The waiting was enough to drive him mad.
    His gaze wandered out into the hallway. With the exception of Phoenix, who was assisting Soraya, the whole Order was there. Skylar, Ryver and Mercury were all sitting on the couch someone had brought down from the conservatory. Well, sitting probably wasn't accurate; every so often one of them would swear and get up and pace around for a bit before returning to his seat.
    Lena sat apart from the group. She was on the floor with her knees up and her arms wrapped around her shins. As she sat there, Thorn thought the headstrong woman looked like a frightened, little girl. Her beautiful blue-black hair was a mess, she had red tear-stains on her face and her normally lively midnight-blue eyes were wide with fear and worry. The other Guardians told her to go get cleaned up but she would not leave. She'd remained silent since they got back from Friarsfield.
    Thorn stared at her for a long time before she raised her head to meet his gaze. Goddess, she looked wretched. At any other time, he might feel sorry for her. This time though, his blood boiled with fury. Forgiveness was the furthest thing from his mind.
    If he was honest with himself, he always rather liked her strength of will, her ability to question things instead of accepting what she was told, her… feistiness, yes that was the word. Feistiness or not, if Lena cost him his Keeper of the Watch, he would see she paid for it.
    When Soraya made her way out into the hall, all eyes shifted to the door and everyone sprang to their feet. Wearing blood-stained scrubs, and her delicate face etched with worry, she looked