I blink my eyes open.

I exhale in relief when I look outside and it's still dark. I haven't lost much time.

I feel like absolute trash. Worse than trash. I feel dead. Completely drained.

I don't remember much of my vision, only blood. So much blood.

"Your theatrics make mine look like child's play," Killian drawls, sitting in the corner of the room, and I jump, not noticing he was there before.

"My theatrics?" I repeat in confusion, but my throat is so dry the words sound strangled.

Killian gets out of the chair and hands me a glass of water. I begin drinking, and Killian says, "Yes, darling, your theatrics. Your eyes, nose, and mouth start gushing blood as soon as you touch Dorian, and then you pass out for three days. Seems a little over dramatic if you-"

I choke on my water. "Three days?" I squeak.

Killian looks unbothered. "Yeah, the ball was three nights ago. Are you sure that this is normal because-"

"You're sure?" I interrupt, panicked. "Three days have gone by?"

Killian looks confused. "Yeah, why?"

Three days. I've just lost three days of my already rapidly depleting number.

"No," I whisper in horror.

"Katrina, are you okay?" Killian asks, worry marring his face. "I mean, obviously not since you were out for three days, but you say that's normal, right? That it's a Seer thing?"

"It's a Seer thing," I confirm drily. Not technically a lie. The longer Seers pass out from their visions, the closer they are to dying. Three days.

And it would only get worse.

"I have some painkillers from the healer," Killian says, handing me a few pills. I take them, but they won't help. I'm dying from the Sight, medicine won't do anything.

"Aren't you going to ask me what I saw?" I ask.

Killian hesitates. "I don't want to push you right now."

"Tell the circulus to come immediately," I say quietly.

Killian's eyes flash in alarm, but he nods, and mindlinks them.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Killian asks, frowning at me. I'm sure I look like shit.

I feel terrible.

"Fine," I smile weakly. "I'll be good as new soon enough."

Killian exhales in relief. I realize that he's wearing his clothes from the ball. He's not in his jacket, but his black collared undershirt is still on, a few buttons undone and the sleeves rolled up.

I frown at his disheveled appearance. "Are you sure three days have gone by? You're still in your clothes from the ball."

"Someone had to make sure you weren't about to die," Killian jokes, and he doesn't realize just how accurate his words are.

My frown deepens. "You've been in here the whole time?"

"Yes."

"You could have teleported home, showered, and changed in a few minutes," I point out.

Killian smiles slightly and opens his mouth to respond, but the circulus barges in.

"You scared me!" Layla screams, jumping on the bed.

"You look great, champ," Maryn lies, punching my shoulder.

"Liar," Knox says to her, his eyes narrowing at me in suspicion. "Why do you look like you're half-dead?" He turns to Killian and says in an accusatory tone, "You said this was normal for Seers."

"It is," I say quickly. "Don't worry, Knox. I'll be back to my colorful, beautiful self in no time. Your concern is sweet, I always knew you liked me."

Knox relaxes slightly. "Training as soon as you're better," He says gruffly, and I know that's his way of saying he's glad I'm okay.

"You're on," I grin, but I know that I won't ever be at my strongest again.

"Glad you're still kicking, Katrina," Jae says, and looks anxious. I can See that what she really wants to ask is: What did you See?

"When I touched Dorian..." I pause, knowing this won't go over well. "I saw blood. Same kind from the visions about the missing wolves."

The circulus erupts in yelling.

"I told you they couldn't be trusted!" Knox shouts at Kage.

"The vision could mean anything!" Kage yells back, the shadows swirling around him angrily.

"We're going to kill them all right now!" Jae yells at Killian.

"Dorian was so hot," Layla says, shaking her head sadly.

"Quiet!" Killian yells over all of them, and they immediately stop their bickering.

He looks at me and asks calmly, "What does the vision mean, Katrina?"

I shake my head in disappointment. "I don't know," I admit guiltily. "I really didn't think they were involved, Killian. None of the vampires there stole the wolves, I would have seen it."

Knox scoffs. "Katrina, you yourself say that your Sight isn't always dependable."

Kage looks at him sharply. "Watch it, Knox," He warns lowly.

"No, he's right," Jae says through her teeth. "Just because she didn't see something doesn't mean it isn't there. And she saw blood when he touched that fucking leech!"

"They're vampires, Jae," Gabe pipes up. "Blood visions are to be expected."

Jae glares at him. "Blood, blood, blood. Ever wonder why that's all Katrina sees? Because vampires are the ones responsible! Why are you idiots not seeing what's so obvious?"

"We're not idiots for considering other options," Kage interjects, his voice so quiet it's borderline scary. "If you weren't so personally involved in this, you would think more critically."

"Not everything requires critical thinking," Maryn snorts. "Katrina Sees blood? Obviously it's because of the vampires. Jae is right. You guys are being stupid."

Layla whimpers. "I liked them."

Maryn and Jae glare at her. "Oh stop it, already, Layla," Maryn sneers. "You're being naive. You're just defending them because you want to fuck them. And who cares? You still can, just be sure to poison them afterwards."

"Maybe I'll poison you," Layla snarls, her eyes darkening as her body begins to shake in anger.

"Everyone, stop!" Killian shouts, and they all freeze at the Alpha Command.

Killian glares at them. "What the hell has gotten into you guys? We are on the same side. We all want to find the wolves. Nobody is disputing that, right?"

Nobody says anything.

Killian relaxes. "That's what I thought. Obviously, we have different ideas on the best way to solve this. But I will not allow you to berate or threaten each other in the meantime. Got it?"

Nobody says anything.

"Do you understand?" Killian asks, his voice booming, and we all wince.

There's a chorus of "Yes, Alpha"s in various levels of anger and regret.

"I can't believe you all," Killian shakes his head in disappointment. I wasn't even the one on the receiving end of it, and I still felt ashamed.

"Katrina just woke up after being unconscious for three days, and you come in here, screaming at each other like children," Killian snarls. "She needs to rest, and you're all being terribly inconsiderate."

"I'm fine-" I begin to say, but Killian cuts me off.

"Don't start," Killian warns lowly, glaring at me.

Killian paces a few steps, looking deeply troubled as the circulus hangs their heads in shame. "I don't want to look at any of you right now," He mutters. "Get out. We'll meet in the morning. And if you don't take your happy pills before coming, I will personally kick your ass across the dimensions. Questions? No? Good. Get out."

The circulus leaves quietly, muttering apologies on their way out.

I stare at Killian in shock. Shocked by how his circulus just argued, shocked by him. He was so intense, so... Alpha-ish? Sometimes I forget that he's probably the most powerful person on the continent.

This was a good reminder.

"Sorry about that," He mutters, shaking his head. "They're getting restless. Feel like we're not making enough progress."

"We aren't," I point out, and I feel exhausted.

"You should get some rest," Killian says, his eyes softening.

No. "No," I tell him. "I slept for three days. That's more than enough."

Killian's eyes darken. "Can you stop arguing with me for once, Katrina?" He snarls. "Go the fuck to sleep."

"No," I repeat belligerently. Too much time has been wasted already.

Killian roughly grabs my wrists before I can even blink. "I wasn't asking," He growls. "Stop being so fucking stubborn and do as I say."

"Sorry, is your barbie bloodsucker a better listener than I am?" I snarl back, not really sure why I'm so angry with him about that still, even after all the days that have gone by.

His face twists in confusion. "What?"

"What?" I mock in a high-pitched voice. "The fucking vampire bitch you clung to all night."

Realization flickers in his eyes. And then he has the audacity to laugh.

"You're giving me an attitude about going to sleep because you're jealous?" He asks, still howling in laughter.

"I'm not jealous," I spit out. "I just thought you would be smart enough to not become a blood bag fucktoy."

Killian's grip on my wrist tightens. "What if I did fuck her, Katrina?" He asks, his voice rough.

"I don't care," I hiss, but my blood boils.

"What if that's why I'm still in these clothes?" Killian continues, his grip tightening more and more with every word. "What if I went back to the coven after dropping you off here and spent the night with Mila?"

"Mila," I scoff. Hate that name almost as much as I hate her. I could kill her.

"What if," Killian says slowly, and leans in so that he's inches away from my face, my wrists still restrained. "What if I let her sink her teeth into me while I-"

I see red. My rage burns hotter than it ever has. I have never been so mad in my life, have never known what it meant to really be mad.

I picture Killian underneath Mila, giving her one of his stupid smirks as she sinks her teeth into him.

I don't hear his next words. I'm too blinded by rage to think about what I'm doing.

His face is so close to mine, and even with my hands restrained, I lean forward, my eyes black and canines descended.

I sink my teeth into his neck.

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