Page 122 of Undying
The guys saved me from that same fate. Unfortunately, she didn’t have that luxury. Julius found her first and broke her in such a way that insanity now rules her mind.
Her only escape is death.
A rare flash of awareness glitters in her shattered eyes, a determination to take her tormentor with her, and I understand that need for vengeance.
But she’ll never make it to him in time…unless I play bait.
I lower my shields and stop fighting the bloodlust, even knowing that I might become lost to it.
I have to trust that my men can bring me back.
Julius might think my mates make me weak, but they make me stronger. They give me something to hold on to in the darkness, something to fight for beyond the need for blood.
Darkness blooms in my chest, spreading through my bloodstream like a fever, and everything around me fades until only my prey remains.
Prey.
Not food.
My thoughts are fragmented as I stalk toward the rich source of fresh blood. Power leaks in the air, the scent almost like a vapor rising from the wound. As soon as one injury seals, another wound opens up, and my mouth waters with the need to drink it all down.
My resolve wavers, the monster in me snarling for blood, and my speed increases. Right before I would’ve launched myself forward and feasted, a burst of love from the guys warms my chest, reminding me of my purpose.
Instead of sinking my fangs into his neck and drinking him dry, I lash out, and my claws tear out his throat. A chunk of flesh comes away in my hand, and I open my fingers and watch the mangled flesh hit the ground with a juicy splotch. The blood is so black that it stains my fingers, and I can’t stop myself from licking them clean.
I turn and watch with amusement as blood gurgles from the gaping wound in Julius’ neck, bubbling up through his hands and spilling down his shirt. Unfortunately, though it weakens him, it isn’t a killing blow. Retribution gleams in his eyes, and he takes a staggering step toward me. His hands drop to his sides, revealing the gaping wound and a glimmer of white bone.
Bile burns the back of my throat as I watch his flesh wiggle as strands of tendons and meat stretch and twine together as it heals.
The girl marches resolutely forward, smoke streaming behind her, and I take a step back. Just as she reaches for Julius, the edges of her hair ignite, flames licking up the strands. With a beautiful smile on her face, she latches on to Julius from behind and wraps herself around him.
Even as I watch, her skin darkens, then cracks open and peels up, like she’s being burned from within. Taken by surprise, Julius gives a high-pitched scream that threatens to pierce my eardrums. He thrashes back and forth, trying to break her hold, but she’s relentless.
Her claws dip into his flesh, burrowing deep, until she’s latching onto his very bones. Even as her lips crack and split and her skin melts, she sinks her fangs into his shoulders. No matter how much he digs his claws into her flesh, peeling it from her bones, she doesn’t loosen her hold.
With a whoosh, Julius goes up in flames like a wick being lit. I’m thrown back from the blast. Screams pierce the air as he burns, and the smell of charred flesh fills the air. The two bodies fall to the ground, collapsing in on themselves, and I cringe when the screaming turns into groans.
I push myself to my feet, my legs shaky as I take a step forward, and I can only blink at what remains from the fire. While the girl has been incinerated to ash, Julius clings to life. He’s in full predator mode and heading toward the closest blood source…me.
It’s disconcerting and more than a little creepy to see a slightly gooey skeleton clawing its way toward me, its fangs chomping and snapping at air.
I’m left wondering if my mind finally broke from reality.
But nope, this is my new existence.
I don’t hesitate to take a step forward. As he reaches for me, I lift my foot, then slam it down on his chest. The ribs snap like twigs, and my foot comes down on his heart. It pops like a water balloon, and the zombie-like creature falls still.
As I pull back, my foot disturbs the skeleton, and dust curls up from the charred remains. In seconds, it crumbles to nothing and swirls away in the air, completely wiping him from existence. With my task complete, I relax…and as soon as I let down my guard, my need for blood takes over everything else.
A steady heartbeat catches my attention, and I whirl toward the source…and collide with a warm body. I don’t hesitate to sink my fangs into their neck. The first sip has the darkness fading, the second brings the world into focus. By the third, I become aware of loving arms cradling me close, a soothing mint scent letting me know that I’m safe and protected.
I pull back just enough to see Stanton staring down at me with adoration in his rich brown eyes. “Drink your fill, myreina. We have you. You’re safe.”
Instead of taking him up on his offer, I lean up and lick the wounds on his neck closed. It takes me longer than it should to pull back and trust that I won’t fall back into the black pit of bloodlust. Milo brushes close, boldly taking me from Stanton, and kisses me within an inch of my life, not caring about our audience.
Then I feel the warm press of my wolves demanding my attention. Milo gives me one last kiss, a promise for more later, then hands me off to Castle and Tobias. My wolves are wearing nothing but sweatpants, leaving their glorious muscles on display, and whatever hunger I still feel changes to pure lust.
The teenage vampire saunters forward, clearing his throat to gain our attention, and everyone turns to glare at him. He chuckles and holds up his hands. “Congratulations. Your seat is secure and your house is safe. Master.” He gives a bow of respect.
