And his blood… Always his blood…
But I have to go.I have to escape Rogan’s hold over me.It’s not real, so I must be stronger than the imaginary ties that bind me.
I turn, scramble out of the bunker amidst the flying arrows and flashing blades.My armor isn’t protecting my body this time, but I can move quickly, serpentine.I’m still my father’s daughter.His blood still calls to me, even though I know I’m no longer bound to heed his command.
At this moment?I do heed it.I will go to him.
I will demand answers.
Because now I know why I don’t remember cutting out the hearts of those two vamps Rogan admits to killing.
I don’t remember because I didn’t do it.
Rogan’s mate did.
Rogan’struemate.
She’s out there somewhere, probably on the run from the crime she committed.Why would she cut out the hearts if the vamps were already dead?How could she perpetrate such a heinous act?
And who the hellisshe?
I will get the answers I need from my father.
Then I will find her.
I will deliver her to Rogan.
And I will break my own damned heart.
But I’ll move on.I’ll get through it.And this war, like all wars, will come to an end.
It will?—
“No!”
I fall to the ground, pain lancing through me.
One of the demons’ flaming arrows…
No Rogan to protect me from it.
It pierces my flesh…my chest…
My heart is breaking.
Metaphorically, yes, but also literally.
The fucking arrow has cut through my sternum, and the pain… My God, the pain!Sharp…burning…pain…
I lie there, my eyes open, staring at the blue sky above me.Around me, the battle rages.
And then…peace.
9
The meadow is greenerthan before, and Rogan’s face even more handsome than normal.I float gently on the soft grass, staring into his emerald eyes, feeling the love, the completion.His aroma intoxicates me, yet I don’t crave his blood.I need only him for fulfillment.Just him…and this perfect garden of Eden that surrounds us?—
“Ah!”