So I have some happy news that will be affecting my writing/posting. I finally found a job. My shift will be a later shift and I start Monday. I haven't figured out how I'll work everything but please continue to stick with me while I sort out new job and my writing. I'm not going to give this up for anything. I love it too much. So without stalling any more enjoy the update.

Chapter 42: Getting All the Facts

Candice opened her eyes more easily this time feeling like she was waking up rather than fighting through a black hole. She knew David was pressed against her holding her in his strong arms before anything else. Tilting her head to the side she could see his handsome face his eyes were closed but as if sensing her alertness snapped open.

"Candice?"

Smiling she nods, "I love you."

David squeezes her body tighter as he buries his nose in her hair and kisses her temple over and over. "How are you feeling?"

Candice leans her head back and reaches up with her arms, happy to have more control over her body, to pull his lips to hers. They kiss long and hard like they'd been apart for too long, which was pretty much the case. "I knew you'd come."

Squeezing his eyes shut as the images flash through his mind of how close he came to losing her. Ten minutes later and he'd have been too late. "How do you feel?"

Candice pulls back from him some and sits up stretching her body feeling the stiffness in her limbs. "I'm a bit stiff…my arms and legs are sore."

Looking down she sees the ugly marks on her forearms and lower legs and a look of horror crosses her face as she reaches out to touch the area. Wincing slightly at it tears well in her eyes. David sits up with her pulling her back to his strong chest.

"You're okay baby. I've got you you're okay."

"How long?" She looks over her shoulder at him. "How long have I been…out?"

"When you woke up the first time it had been just over twenty four hours. Then you rested for another six or so."

Looking back to her arms then to him then down to her shoulder she asks softly, "Then why haven't I healed?"

He knew he needed to tell her the truth. Still he could see how hard it was for her and he couldn't stand to cause any more pain. "When we found you, your arms and legs were covered in liquid silver. It was bad, I was so scared Candice. I was so scared I was too late." He pressed his forehead to hers. "They look better than when I found you. I think it's just taking longer because silver hinders our healing ability."

It was all true. Her burns were looking somewhat better. Allie had warned they might leave scars but he didn't want to worry her with that just yet. They would see what happened, and he was sure that they would heal over time.

Looking back down at her arms Candice nods against him. "What did I miss?"

David couldn't help but smile. She was already back to worrying about other things never focusing on herself for too long. He loved that about her but he also didn't want to stress her out too soon. Remembering what Allie said he moved behind her and stood up slipping out of the freezer then helping her to stand as well.

Limbs slightly numb she stumbled at first but he helped right her. "Allie said when you woke up I should try and have you drink some blood and maybe walk around just a bit. If you're feeling up for it."

"That sounds good."

David searched her face for any sign she wasn't up for it but was satisfied she was ready. Keeping her arm in his he walked with her through the freezer room to the bedroom and to the bathroom. She looked at him and then to the shower, "Are you telling me I stink?"

"No of course not," he looked around really not meaning it in an offensive way but before he got too flustered he saw the smile on her lips and knew she was teasing him. "I thought you might want one after sleeping for so long."

Nodding Candice watched as David stepped inside and turned on the water. It was only then she noticed he had been pulling a poll holding a blood bag on it. Looking down at her arm she realized she was hooked up to it. "We had to keep blood going to you," David explained.

"After the shower I'd like to try and drink some. My mouth is parched."

Leaning her against the counter David rushed out of the room and came back with a decanter of blood and two glasses. He filled one and handed it to her while he shut off the IV and then carefully worked on removing it from her arm.

As the first taste of blood hit her tongue she moaned in delight. It was freshly donated she could tell. The best she'd had in…well she didn't know how long really. In the room with Ryan she didn't really have a very good sense of time. Ryan. She didn't know what happened to him and as much as she wanted to ask she knew it would be best to wait until after her shower.

They showered together but kept their desires in check. Candice was too weak and David knew it so he kept his lower half in control which was difficult. It'd been much too long for them with him being away and then her being taken. He wanted to take her and make love to her until their bodies melded into one forever. Still he knew he'd had to wait a while longer but still their touches were intimate in a way that soothed his soul.

After they were dried off he helped her to sit on the bed and poured her more blood. "Are you feeling tired?"

"A little bit but I have too many questions." Waiting for him to sit she pulls his hand into hers, "What happened to…Ryan?"

David's nostrils flared out as rage shot through him but the look on Candice's face sobered him up. "I staked him when I found him practically naked holding you. You were wearing very little and in so much pain I would have ripped his skin from his bones but I didn't have time I knew you needed help."

"So he's still alive," she asked making sure.

"For now," he kissed her hand. "I couldn't leave your side to go deal with him."

"No David you have to hear me. He didn't do this to me. He was held prisoner just like me. He protected me and I think he might have saved my life."

David looked at her clearly not sure what to make of this. He was running through everything he knew and trying to fit it with what she was saying. Part of him rationed that Beth had been right the other more protective part of him thought maybe she had been brainwashed.

"David please listen. I was on my way to go see you but I decided last minute after sending my guard away to do some shopping on the way to the air strip. I was passing one of the shops and remembered something about Coraline. She liked high fashion so I checked this one shop and the man knew her. I pretended we were old friends and I found out she might be at the Westwood on Hilgard. I knew it might not be here, I described her as best as I could but it could have been anyone really. I didn't want to get everyone's hopes up on something so thin. I was going to go ask the staff about it but I knew I should call at least the guards. But I don't have any of your guys in my phone. I tried calling you but I got your voicemail so I tried Beth and same thing. I didn't want to call Josef with this just yet so I called Ryan. I knew he had guards on him and they could help. He was on his way to me and I was supposed to wait in the parking garage of the hotel."

Candice took a deep breath, "I was taken. I fought as hard as I could but next thing I know I'm in a cell with Ryan. I saw his anklet and knew you would come after him and find us but Coraline said they'd disabled it and killed the guards. She was so sick David. She didn't plan to take us but we got too close. She's the one who broke into Ashton's office. She knew you'd go help your sire and that would leave me alone. She hoped me alone would keep Ryan's attention. He wasn't working with her. She said we had derailed her plan but she had a new one that would take some time so she was going to use us to entertain her. She waited until we were hungry and then made me clean up and put on that outfit, I had bought it for you earlier before I was taken, and I had to dance for him. I had to dance for Ryan to get blood."

She could see his knuckles were white and he was trying hard to not lose it. Running a hand up and down his arm she tried to assure him she was here and okay. "Coraline thought Ryan would lose control and attack me and…" She paused not wanting to say it out loud. "Or that he would control himself and suffer through either way she would enjoy."

Taking his face in her hands she continued, "He controlled himself. She gave us one bag of blood. We shared it. He wanted me to have it all but if she wanted to keep testing his limits I knew I couldn't let him get too weak. She came in and taunted us some here and there about her plans but after the dance we didn't see her for a while. After she left she wouldn't let me change back and Ryan gave me his shirt to cover up. Then…well we talked for a while and…the way those guards were looking at me when I had to dance David I was scared. I knew I wouldn't be able to stop them all but Ryan swore not to let them hurt me."

"How put the silver on you?" He managed through his clenched jaw.

"Me," she shook her head. "His anklet was still on but it didn't work and it just irritated him. Coraline gave us a pair of scissors, which I should have realized was a bad sign, and I cut it. Then the next thing I know everything burned."

All the air he'd been holding in left his lungs. "Josef had it booby trapped."

"That's what Coraline said. She said she'd figured he'd done something to it. Anyways Ryan pulled the shirt off to wipe as much off of me as he could and try to keep me awake. It gets sorta sketchy from there. I remember him yelling and begging Coraline to give me blood to save my life. I remember her saying that it was time for her to get Kayla and that you were coming. Next thing I know I'm wet, I think he found water I'm not sure. I just remember hearing him say you would be here for me soon and I'd be okay. Then you were there."

"I was," the words slipped through his defenses. Ryan hadn't been responsible. He'd protected her when he couldn't. He'd played right into her hands leaving Candice alone. He knew there was a lot to process but he could see she was getting sleepy but trying to fight it.

"Let's get you back to bed," he lifted her into his arms and moved to the freezer slipping her robe from her shoulders.

She climbed inside holding his hand and then waited while he disappeared and retrieved her IV and reinserted it like Allie had shown him before climbing in with her. "You'll stay with me?"

"Always," he promised. David could hear her settle into sleep almost instantly but he couldn't find that same slumber. Too much had been dumped in his lap. He had much to ponder with the new information on Ryan. He had done right by her but he had also been the one to release Coraline into the world and if not for that this never would have happened. Was he still to blame?

To Be Continued…

Evilous