Page 67 of Illusory

“Back off,” warned Dominic, his arm coiled around my waist protectively. It took me a few seconds to realize he wasn’t talking to Trace. He was talking to Gabriel.

Gabriel responded with a low growl at the back of his throat, both hands curled into round spheres at his sides as he eyed the two vampires boxing me in. He didn’t like it one bit.

“I’m okay,” I assured him softly and then smiled. As much as I hated seeing him distressed, especially when the reason for his worry was me, I knew this needed to be done.

Squaring his shoulders, he gave me a final look and then finally took a small step back. My gaze returned to Trace. To his blackened eyes that had been once again consumed by hunger at the sight of me. It was going to take some time to get used to that look onhim. I didn’t hate it, though. In fact, I didn’t hate it at all.

Eagerly, he took a predatory step forward as if anxious to claim his prize, but Dominic tugged me back, keeping me flush against his own body. He was in control here and he wanted everyone to know it.

“We’re going to do this nice and slowly,” he informed evenly. All the aloof mischief from earlier had disappeared from his person, leaving an all-business like demeanor in its place. I normally preferred his playful side to his serious one, but in this instance, I was glad he wasn’t messing around. “A small taste from her wrist to start with.”

Trace jerked his head in a nod as he ran his tongue along his bottom lip as if remembering the taste of my blood in his mouth.

Still holding me with one arm, Dominic brought his otherhand down to meet mine, holding the back of my hand against his palm as he traced small circles along my pulse with the pad of his thumb, before grasping my wrist and raising it to Trace.

The sound of Trace’s fangs descending coaxed a shiver from my spine.

“Not so fast,” said Dominic, drawing my hand back a little. “You’re going to need to work for it.”

Trace responded with an angry snarl that made my mouth run dry.

What was he doing? Now wasnotthe time to play games with Trace.

“That thirst you’re feeling at the back of your throat,” continued Dominic, his honeyed voice low and even and completely unaffected by Trace’s power display, “you’re going to need to get used to it. Very quickly. Because it is always going to be there, especially when you’re in the presence of Slayers—this one in particular.”

Gabriel crossed his arms, his leather jacket protesting from the movement. The look on his face told me he knew exactly what Dominic was talking about.

“The only way to isolate that thirst is to learn how to control it. It’s a process of restriction and reward, a little give and take.” Dominic smirked. “Delayed gratification if you will.”

Trace nodded stiffly, listening intently to Dominic’s instructions, but his voracious eyes were fixed on my pulse as he clenched and unclenched his hands.

“Until you can learn to control the thirst, you will always feel as though there are two warring creatures inside of you. The man you were and the insatiable beast that longs for blood and destruction. Reassure him that he will have his just desserts…but only when he learns tosubmit,” instructed Dominic as Trace wet his lips again, his fangs peeking out atthe gesture. “Despite what it may feel like now, you are still the commander of your vessel. You can resist the urge, as painful as it may be, so long as you choose to do so.”

Trace shook his head, his pupils stretched across the entirety of his iris’ as he clenched his jaw like he was struggling to keep his composure.

“Quiet the beast and take the helm.”

A low rumbling sound emitted from Trace as he squeezed his eyes shut and then shook his head again, breathing in and out sharply as though he were internally battling a beast of flesh and blood. His jaw muscle pumped violently, and his nose flared as he struggled to gain some semblance of control over himself.

After a few tense moments, he opened his eyes again and my heart swelled as I took in those ocean-blue eyes from my dreams before the inky black void quickly rushed in to claim them once again.

Well, it wasn’tmuchbut it definitely looked like progress to me.

“That’s a good Reaper,” crooned Dominic and then extended my hand out to Trace as if to reward him for his good behavior.

I expected Trace to bristle at Dominic’s words, but instead he zeroed in on his prize as though it were the only thing in the entire world that he cared about. His gaze flicked up to mine briefly and then he reached out and grabbed my wrist, wrapping his long, thick fingers around it possessively. Dominic released his own hold before moving his hand down to my waist, keeping me fastened against him.

That one small gesture let me know that he was still there—that he would be with me every step of the way and wouldn’t let anything bad happen to me. I should have been afraid, especially if my recent history with Trace was any indicator ofhow this would go, but somehow, with Dominic holding me I felt safe. And if I was being completely honest with myself, maybe a little excited too.

Trace licked his lips again, slowly this time, and my stomach coiled, anticipation making my legs feel weak and malleable as I happily waited at his altar.

“Drink.”

At Dominic’s command, Trace struck, his teeth cutting through my flesh like a sharp blade against silk.

The brief pain came and went before it could imprint itself on me and in the next second all I could feel was a hot rush of pleasure sweeping in, licking over my skin and rolling through my veins as it coated my insides with desire and contentedness and euphoria.

A small, muffled sigh escaped my mouth as a ravenous, almost feral growl sounded at the back of Trace’s throat, vibrating against my wrist and then shooting in through my bones. Goosebumps prickled my skin, and my head fell back, feeling full and weightless all in the same breath.

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