Page 86 of Nearly Dead

As he heads for his bike, Anthony goes next to him as the Alpha pulls on his driving gloves.He whispers something low, then reaches to shake Sully’s hand.

Sully looks at him, and for the briefest moment, something unspoken passes between them.Sully’s gloved hand comes up to take Anthony’s, and his eyes flash with gold.My brother doesn’t flinch, just gives a small nod.

Sully climbs onto his bike, starts the engine, and peels off into the night without another word.

Anthony watches him go.

“Can you walk?”Costin asks, his arm slipping around my shoulders.

I test my injured leg, wincing.“I’ll manage.”

“You don’t have to,” he says softly, brushing back my hair.The tenderness in his voice makes my chest ache.

I turn my face into his palm, pressing my lips against his skin.“I thought I was going to die down there.”

“I would have torn the world apart to find you,” he says, and I know it’s not hyperbole.The master vampire who’s lived through centuries would have reduced the church to dust with his bare hands if necessary.

“I know,” I whisper.

He leans forward, his forehead touching mine.“I’m sorry I left you.”

“You had to.I made you.”

“Never again.”His voice is fierce with promise.“I won’t leave you again, Tamara.Not for anything.”

The words settle between us.I close the distance, capturing his lips in a kiss that’s gentle at first, then deepens with building hunger.His hand slides into my hair, cradling my head as if I’m something precious.

The bond pulses between us, but it feels different now.It’s less like a chain and more like a bridge connecting two equal forces.I don’t feel dominated or controlled.I feel understood, as if Costin is my missing piece that makes me whole.

Motorcycle engines rev in the distance, interrupting us.

When we break apart, his eyes have shifted to deep crimson, betraying his need.I feel an answering hunger rise inside of me.It’s not just for blood, but for him.For the deep connection we share.

“Home,” I say softly.“Take me home.”

I lean into him, accepting his support as we stand.

We make our way slowly through the graveyard, past the broken iron gates to where our vehicle is parked.Anthony waits by the car.The sleek black vehicle somehow survived the zombie apocalypse unscathed.

“Let’s get back to the estate,” my brother says.“We need to report to Astrid and have her check on Paul before we send him back to his daughter.”

“You need blood,” Costin says, his eyes flicking to my injured leg and chest.“I’ll go ahead and get it ready.”

I start to answer but Costin is already stepping away.

“Get her home,” he tells Anthony.

My brother waves his hand in dismissal before sliding into the driver’s seat.I glance in the back window to see Paul laying on the seat, eyes closed.Once I’m in the car, the adrenaline that’s been keeping me going finally ebbs.I slump in the passenger seat, exhaustion settling into my bones.

“Hell of a night, huh?”Anthony starts the car but doesn’t immediately drive away.Instead, he turns to face me fully.“What happened down there, Tamara?After we left?”

“Later,” I reply.“Right now I just need a moment to process everything.”

Anthony sighs and stares at the church.“I can’t believe Mortimer was helping Leviathan this whole time.I heard about necromancers fueling their power with the dead, but did you see how many spirits he had trapped?Do you think our uncle knew what he was doing to Conrad?”

“Drive,” I insist.“I don’t want to be here anymore.”

The car pulls away from the church.

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