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"You can all get soested I was used to being awake late Being half vampire had its quirks

Don gave me a tired but firm look "I think I speak for everyone when I say hell no, I'"

There were grunts of agreeed, defeated, and turned my attention back to the screen

The only warning I had was Bones standing up Then, suddenly, Tate's supine body was a seething ainst the clamps, and a howl so unearthly feral it rocked me back in my seat came from the speakers

"Jesus Christ," Don one

Tate's screah the blur froainst his restraints, I saw his s were clearly visible as he continued to howl like he'd just coht from hell

Bones had said new va,out before my eyes Tate didn't seem to be aware of where he was, or evenwho he was There was nothing left of hiaze that scoured the small room he was trapped in

Bones had none ofmy friend in such a condition He went over to the cooler, drew out a few blood bags, and walked over to Tate

I couldn't hear what he said, because Tate's screams drowned it out, but I saw Bones's lipsmouthNummy, nummy? my frozen mind supplied Or,Bottoms up?

It didn't -he tore at it until his face was covered in red and his snapping jaws reat white shark than a man Bones, unperturbed, plucked the plastic re cho onto Tate's e-disposal fate as the first one

I glanced away, disturbed Thatit and seeing it were two different things Toaway from the screen He rubbed his temple

"It's still him"

Dave's voice seemed very soft in the sudden break from Tate's screams as he slurped Dave nodded once at the monitor

"I know it's hard to believe fro at, but Tate's still in there This is only temporary He'll be himself soon"

God, I wanted to believe that I knew there was no reason I shouldn't, except that now, Tate lookedthan the uess I truly hadn't been prepared to see ht I was

It took five bags before the deleam left Tate's eyes Of course, most of the first two had spilled around his face and shoulders, not in his mouth, since he'd sawed at them so crazily Now, covered in blood, he finally looked at Bones and seenize him

"It hurts," were Tate's first words

Tears came to my eyes at the bleak rawness of his voice There was soout of that short sentence

Bones nodded "It gets better, mate You'll have to trust me on that"

Tate looked down at hiet Then he stopped-and stared straight into the camera

"Cat"

I leaned forward, pressing the button on the monitor that allowed them to hear me

"I'm here, Tate We all are"

Tate closed his eyes "Don't want you to see me like this," he mumbled

Shame over my initial reaction made my voice raspy "It's okay, Tate You're-"

"I don't want youseeing ain

"Kitten" Bones glanced up at the screen "It's upsetting him That'll make it harder for him to control the blood craze Best do as he wants"

My guilt deepened Was this a coincidence, or could Tate so him before? What a crappy leader I was, let alone a bad friend

"I' to keep my voice steady "I'llI'll see you when you're better, Tate"

Then I walked out of the rooain

I was sitting at lance at it showed my mother's number, and I hesitated I so wasn't in the mood to deal with her But it was unusual for her to be up this late, so I answered

"Hi Mom"

"Catherine" She paused I waited, tapping er onout of "

I actually glanced at ain to see if I'd been mistaken and it was someone else who'd called me

"Are you drunk?" I got out when I could speak

She sighed "I wish you wouldn'tbetween us"

Aliens replaced her with a pod person, I found That's the only explanation

"Soyou're co?" I couldn't help but repeat

"That's what I said, isn't it?" she replied with some of her usual annoyance

"Um Great" Hell if I knehat to say I was floored

"I don't suppose you'd want any ofboth defiant and uncertain

Ifany lower, it would fall off "I'd love soed

"Good Can you make it for dinner later?"