CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE

I graciously accepted Aric's offer of assistance in standing up.

Every breath hurt like a knife stabbing into my chest. He walked me into the bathroom and hoisted me carefully until I was perched on the counter.

No matter how I positioned my arms to grab my sweater, I winced in pain as I tried to pull it over my head.

Finally, I had to give up and let Aric try to remove it.

The knitted cloth caught on several of my chest hairs when he raised it.

"Stop!" Due to the excruciating pain, I screamed and nearly passed out.

Oh God, I sputtered, trying to push back the inky depths that were tearing at my vision.

Aric responded, "Okay," and then left the room. I believe I'll have to end it. There seems to be no other option, in my opinion.

Having come to the same conclusion, I gave him my assent, eager for this ordeal to finally be done.

Aric retreated to me, a few centimeters of nail growth on his index finger.

After seeing firsthand the razor-sharpness of a vampire's claws, I was confident he