Exton

I put Raina to bed in her own room - all things being equal, I'm currently a bit more mobile than she is, even just before dawn. If I miscalculate and fall asleep early, Gareth can spirit me back to my own room before sleeping with the dead guy becomes a major issue.

Things are beginning to get a wee complicated... time was, Raina would leave my room just before dawn and bunk down with Gareth till getting-up time. Now K'thyri is with Gareth, I wonder how the dynamics will change. Our intimate exchange last night surely means that Gareth and Ky aren't going for monogamy, but I can't see it in one-night-stand territory, either.

Too complicated for this vamp... I snuggle next to Raina's unwounded side and kiss her, long, deep and thoroughly. She looks up with fire smouldering in her eyes.

"I love you, Nick. If Ob's right and I'll be healed tomorrow, then tomorrow night I'm going to fuck you silly."

"Language," Rowans says reprovingly - but with a roguish twinkle in her eye. She shoots a dose of pain killers into the shunt. "Get some sleep, Raina. You need to regain your strength if you're going to fuck Nick silly tomorrow."

Raina grins and composes herself for sleep. Rowan sits and reads a paperback for about ten minutes, then looks up. Raina is dozing lightly. Rowan stands and carefully removes the tape around the needle, then the needle itself. She squeezes my hand in passing. "Take care of her, Nick. I'll check in on her in the morning."

"Will do, Doc. And thanks."