Page 99 of Bite Marks & Broken Hearts

“Actually…” Seb caught my wrist, his touch impossibly gentle. His expression shifted, becoming more serious. “There’s something I need to tell you. I should have realised it when I drank your blood from the glass.”

“What?”

“Your blood. Itisspecial.” His eyes fixed on mine. “Each time I’ve tasted it, it’s been different. More potent. More… powerful. Like the dark magic incubating inside you is growing stronger, seeping into your blood.”

“Really? But I feel the same, though, apart from the ice attacks and the weird dreams.”

Seb nodded. “I’m certain. Most humans would still be barely conscious after losing that much blood. The fact that you’ve recovered so quickly—”

“I’m absolutely fine,” I interjected.

“And it’s way more energising than normal blood, even fresh blood. My senses are sharper. Your blood is getting stronger and stronger. The effect it had on me tonight—healing my wound so quickly…”

He guided my hand to his ribs, pressing my palm flat against the spot where the deadwalker had torn through his flesh. Instead of the ragged wound I expected, my fingers met smooth, unbroken skin through the torn fabric of his shirt.

“That’s not possible.”

“I heal quickly, but this… This is impressive.”

“Fantastic. Demon-enhanced blood donor, at your service. I’ll be sure to leave every pint of it to you when I die.”

The joke died in the air between us. Seb’s eyebrows drew tight, lips pursing. Before he could respond, tyres screeched outside the van, followed by the sound of car doors slamming and boots pounding against concrete.

“Seb?” Kit’s voice rang out. “Fucking hell!”

Metal screamed as Kit wrenched open the only functioning back door. His silhouette appeared in the narrow opening, broad shoulders blocking out some of the stark light from the vehicle’s headlights. I squinted at him. For some stupid reason, I hadn’t yet moved from straddling Seb’s lap, with both of us covered in blood, my neck sporting fresh bite marks.

Mortifying.

“We’re both alright, Kit,” Seb said, his voice steady despite our awkward situation. “Don’t worry.”

Kit’s eyes narrowed as he looked between us, taking in the scene. His expression shifted from concern to something more calculating. It waspainfully obvious what had happened, but surely he wouldn’t embarrass us by saying anything.

“Well, well.” Rory leaned around Kit’s shoulder with a grin. “Looks like someone’s been having abloodygood time.”

21

Sebastián

It felt like hours before we all poured into Killigrew Street’s basement through the bookcase entrance. My body thrummed with a peculiar energy—Flynn’s blood had done more than sate my hunger. Every nerve ending sparked with vitality.

Combined with Flynn’s worst attack yet at Rising Dough, it was safe to say the dark magic within him was maturing far quicker than we’d like. My gaze drifted to his chest. What marks currently decorated his skin?

Despite the late hour—nearly eleven—the team gathered in the basement. I deliberately chose the armchair opposite Flynn’s position, maintaining a careful distance. He’d zipped his hoodie up to his chin, the fabric dark with grime, hiding any evidence of my…indiscretion.

The phantom taste of his blood still lingered—sweet and electric—a haunting reminder of how close I’d come to draining him completely. My fingernails bit into my palm at the memory—his writhing form beneath me, those breathy moans of pleasure that had only encouraged my bloodlust.

The recollection of Flynn’s voice pierced through my shame—how he’d reached me even in those depths, with his promises of home.

In that moment, even covered in blood and gore, Flynn had seen past the monster to whatever fragment of humanity still existed within me. He’d offered not just his blood, but his heart. His trust.

And I’d nearly destroyed both.

Rory broke my thoughts by collapsing onto the sofa beside Flynn, his usual bounce conspicuously absent. I watched Flynn blink at him,his gaze tracing the precise lines of Rory’s eye makeup with obvious curiosity.

“Thanks for ruining my date.” Rory’s head lolled against the back of the sofa. “Spent a good thirty minutes on this makeup, you know. Got us VIP seats at my friend’s drag show and everything.”

Flynn gave an exaggerated grimace.

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