Chapter Forty-OneI jump to my feet, and we stampede toward the couch.
Flailing her arms, Ariel opens her eyes and looks around, her pupils dilated and gaze unfocused.
“How are you feeling?” I ask her soothingly.
“Gaius?” she says, and though she’s looking at me, I get the feeling she doesn’t recognize me.
“Gaius isn’t here,” I croon. “Relax.”
“Gaius,” she says again, her forehead breaking into a sweat. “I need him.”
“He’s in Russia,” I say.
“You’re better off without him anyway,” Felix mutters, saying what I was being too kind to add.
“No.” She begins trembling. “Call him. Bring him here.”
“If that vampire dared to come here, Fluffster would make sure it’s the last thing he does.” Felix’s tone is uncharacteristically menacing. Then his gaze softens as he registers the misery on Ar
