Isaac went back to his room and half-slammed the door shut after leaving Raven’s room.
How could a female be this infuriating? He had offered his services to her, offered her nothing but help, asked only for a little trust and got shut down.
He couldn’t fathom what kind of growing up she’d had to be like this as an adult. It was as if she grew up trusting no one but her sister. He wondered if her sister knew how difficult Raven could be. He hardly knew anything of her father. The one time she’d spoken of her father, she mentioned he wouldn’t be questioned alive so he could only discern that he was also as strong willed as her.
Isaac reached into his box and lit up a smoke. He shouldn’t have talked to her like that. He should have had more control.
He moved to his bed and sat down, leaning on the bed post as he puffed. He really could be an asshole. But he’d had his own shit to deal with; looking out for Zeke, losing his leg… only to have him act like a tortured, ravenous idiot for centuries until finally Bonnie came along and ended the madness for both of them.
Isaac sighed.
He and Zeke were twins so of course they had fallen for the same female. But her sights were set on his brother and he lost out-right. In the end, she was the best thing to have ever happened to Zeke. His hair was growing out, his bone-thin body was growing huskier, he was starting to come out and be more sociable with the House. He seemed like he was on the verge of becoming normal and Isaac was beginning to feel a sense of peace.
Then Raven came along.
And his headaches returned.
Isaac thought back on his centuries of experience with women. Few enough to count but when he offered even the slightest attention to a female, it was never denied. It was as if the women were happy to submit to him. He’d even found the odd gem here and there and courted humans. He was not blind to his looks, women would swoon.
But not Raven.
He noted how she’d look at him as if trying to see beyond his appearance. As if searching for an underlying threat or weakness. She was like a predator, eyeing everyone like prey. He had never seen someone behave like this. Except Zeke. Or a freshly awoken vampire.
Isaac noted how she’d looked at him after noticing his leg. He expected to find pity or something soft. Instead he found a silent question and even apprehension. She didn’t feel sorry about his leg but seemed a little threatened by it. He wanted to ask about that but it was difficult just to say a few words to her!
He spent the next few hours in his room and finished off two more cigarettes. His nerves were finally quiet and he felt the headache subside.
Then his cell phone went off.
“What?” he growled, answering it.
“Doc’s here,” Liam answered.
Isaac stood up and headed for the door, hanging up. He met up with the two as Liam led him up the stairs. “Hey, Doc,” he greeted and the thin vampire bowed his head.
“At your service, Master Isaac,” he smiled and his keen eyes glanced around curiously. “I understand you have the female in question. Might I see her?”
Isaac nodded and led the doctor toward Raven’s room. “I must warn you. She’s been a little difficult.”
“I imagine learning she’s becoming a soulless creature isn’t easy,” the Doctor smiled reassuringly. “We shall tread lightly for today.”
Isaac nodded as they reached her door and knocked. They waited. He wasn’t prepared for the sight before them.
When Raven opened the door with a soft frown, her hair was wet and smelled like lavender. Her cheeks were a little flushed and the clothes were simple but hugged her figure well. She’d forgone wearing a bra and he suddenly felt restrained. Something about this whole thing suddenly felt like they had intruded upon something private and he didn’t like the doctor seeing her like this.
What the hell is happening? He shouted in his mind as he forced himself to speak out loud, “Raven, this is Doctor Omundson. Doc, this is Raven.”
“My pleasure, Miss Raven,” the doctor offered his hand and Raven took it after a pause.
Raven opened the door wider and leaned on the doorpost, crossing her arms. “Do you have news for me?” she asked and Isaac watched the Doc glance between them before answering her,
“Actually, there is a final step we must take before we continue. The Brotherhood has been kind in allowing me a workspace here within this mansion and I have set up a little examination room, if you will. I had hoped to meet you to ask if you would follow me there. I need to collect some samples of your blood to examine before we begin treatments.”
“Will you know if the treatments will work?” she asked softly.
“I should know by tomorrow. Then we can continue with our next steps,” Dr. O nodded.
“Do you know what the treatments will be like?” Raven asked.
“I can’t have a definitive answer without testing your blood first,”
Raven shifted slightly, readjusting her arms. Isaac felt his eyes zero in and forced himself to look beyond her breasts. Her forearms were bruised; defensive wounds.
“Fine. Let me get my—” she began to turn away but Isaac felt himself reach forward and grab her wrist. He pulled her back and raised her arm, eyeing the bruises. They were already turning green but the purple shade was holding strong. He looked beyond her arm to meet her glaring green eyes.
“You going to add to the collection or you gonna let me go?” she asked, her voice tinged with malice.
Coming to his senses, he slackened his grip and let her slip her arm away. She moved away from him and went to grab her cellphone.
“Lead the way,” she neared again but gave them a wide berth. Unfortunately for her, they both waved her through the door first. She slid past him and he caught another whiff of her lavender scent before following them.
He wondered why he’d gotten so worked up at her bruises. She was a fighter. She’d fought the disciples in her apartment. It made sense.
They followed the Doc back down the stairs to the right wing and down a long hallway. The Doc opened up a pair of double doors to reveal the workspace they’d allowed him. It was wide and brightly lit, although windowless. He’d asked for a number of medical instruments and he walked them to a stainless-steel table.
“Now, Ms. Raven. If you would have a seat, I will draw some blood and run those tests,” the Doc instructed calmly.
Raven took a seat and the doctor wheeled it closer to the table so she could lay her arm on it. She flipped her arm palm up to give him access to her veins.
“Vamps don’t drink from humans, right?” she asked, eyeing them both.
Isaac felt himself smirk. “We consider human blood a last resort.”
“I would never endanger my patients,” Dr. O stated as he set up a few vials and a needle beside her arm.
Raven didn’t respond but watched closely as the Doc picked up a rubber cord and tied it around her bicep.
“Now, do you have any preexisting medical conditions?” he asked casually. “Heart and the like?”
Raven shook her head. “I’ve always been healthy.”
“Are you taking any medications?” he asked as he worked.
“Just some vitamins which I left back at my apartment. How impossible would it be to go grab those?” Raven glanced at Isaac.
“I’ll go with you tomorrow night so you could bring anything else you need,” Isaac promised and she nodded, glancing away quickly as the doc picked up a needle.
“Anything else?” he asked.
“Uh… medroxyprogesterone acetate,” she mumbled and the Doc froze.
Isaac watched as he cleared his throat.
“Uh… Master Isaac… If I may have a few words with my patient?” he inquired and Isaac glanced between them. He nodded and quickly left the room. What the hell was medroxy-blah-blah?
Isaac waited outside and leaned on a wall, frowning. Then he pulled out his cell phone. He had to google whatever that drug is to make the Doc so uncomfortable. He couldn’t remember the full word and wondered why she hadn’t just said the common name. All medications had them, right?
After a few minutes, the door opened and Raven stepped out. She took a deep breath before turning to him, flexing her bandaged arm slightly.
“You know a way back through this maze?” she asked and he straightened up.
“Follow me,” he led her back up to the main landing.
Suddenly, she froze behind him and he stopped to look at her. Her green eyes were focused on another man who’d entered.
He watched Connor’s face suddenly burn a deep shade of red as he eyed Raven. The waves of malice radiating off the male were surprising. He’d known Connor to be a rational human with a level head. He was dependable when his services were required. Right now, he looked ready to kill.
Isaac turned back to his intended target. Raven was quick to recover from her initial shock and she met Connor’s stare head- on. She almost looked annoyed when she should be bothered by the man’s glare. He was staring daggers at her and she was calm.
What is happening?
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