Inject Me Sweetly / Dusk Until Dawn

:Inject Me Sweetly: Chapter Seventeen

"Emily?"

"She's sleeping."

"She needs to wake up."

"Just let her sleep," a familiar voice growled.

There was a soft sigh. "She's already awake. Emily, open your eyes," another familiar voice commended softly and I felt a hand shaking my shoulder. "Come on."

"What?" I groaned, refusing to open my eyes. A sharp burning sensation ripped through my throat and I hissed in pain, snapping my eyes open. I gently touched my finger to it, pulling it back instantly when it burned. "Ow!"

Sebastian peered down at me, chuckling. "Don't try to speak... You're throat hasn't fully healed."

Last nights ordeals flashed in my mind, causing my eyes to grow. "Joel?" I inquired, wincing at the pain in my throat.

An uncomfortable expression crossed his face. "Well..."

"Is he okay? Oww," I moaned, feeling like I had strep throat.

"Didn't he say not to talk?" a snippy voice snapped.

I turned my head to glare at Vincent. When I opened my mouth to retort, he told me to shut up.

"Vincent," Sebastian chided reproachfully. "Cut her some slack. She was attacked last night."

"Well maybe if she wasn't so stupid-"

"Enough," a deep, booming voice stated, making me jump in fright. The King appeared in my field of vision, looking ready to drop. "Emily, try not to speak. Fiona's coming with a white board in a few moments, so just write what you need to say."

I stared at him for a moment before jerking myself out of my trance and nodding.

"To answer your question, Joel is fine," he continued, running a hand through his shaggy hair. "Perfectly fine..."

His answer made me feel a little anxious. How could Joel be fine after those horrendous wounds? Was Solomon lying to me? Why would he do that? I needed to see Joel.

"Have no fear! Fiona is here!" a bright voice chirped and moments later the vampire herself appeared above me. "I come bearing a magical board of white."

I forced a smile at her, too worried about Joel to find any actual amusement out of it. As soon as she handed me the marker, I began scribbling. My first question was asking if Joel really was okay.

"He's fine!" Fiona assured me, smiling widely. "I'd bring him to you, but he's at the court right now."

Why?

Sebastian shifted his position, an upset expression crossing his face. "Well..."