Page 22 of Mortal Curse (Shadow Shifter)

The smoldering pupils blazed brighter. “You already know the answer.”

Her heart skipped. “I die.” Her heart skipped as arousal overshadowed her fear. She pushed against his chest. “We shouldn’t do this.”

“We should and we will.” His lips smashed against hers.

CHAPTER12

Dannika pulled away, trying not to focus on the erection straining Raine’s jeans. “You want to have sex.”

Raine arched an eyebrow. “I do, and we will, but it is more than that. Our shadows are bound. I have never taken a fledgling so I can’t confirm if our bond is more than that of a mentor and his student.”

She flicked her fingers between them. “This can’t be normal. I’ve never felt this kind of attraction?”

“There is nothing normal about your transition. Both of us will have to adapt. Regardless, you need to learn how to control your urges and how to survive in the shadow shifter world. I was not born into this world. Like you, I transitioned.”

Her stomach rumbled. It wasn’t the gnawing hunger that ravaged her when she entered shadow form, but it was an appetite that would have to be addressed. As much as she hated to admit it, she needed Raine. On the street, she did what she had to in order to survive. This was no different.

“Explain to me how the transition works.”

“When a reaper bites a human, he injects venom into their bloodstream. Most times, the human dies. The shadow who intercepts the reaper attack injects his own venom into the human. This increases the chances of survival. Approximately, one in five males survives the transition. That fledgling becomes theirs’ to train. Their responsibility. In our culture, he becomes our child. Our family.”

Dannika blinked. “You bit me after my attack.”

“Yes. My blood mixed with yours when I was fighting the reaper, he bit me and I bled on you, but I injected you with my venom.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Why inject me with venom if you thought I would die?”

“I thought it would kill you quicker. Reaper venom is tainted. It will kill you slower than shadow venom. Most shadows would’ve killed you out of mercy, but I couldn’t. I already felt the bond with you.”

“The shadow mixing thing. That’s our bond?”

He nodded. “I suspect it’s different for us than most mentors and fledglings.”

“You were a fledgeling?” He seemed so confident. An alpha male. She couldn’t imagine him floundering with his skills.

“Yes. I told you I was human once. I have a blood bond with Maddock. He saved me when reapers killed my parents and fed on me.

She huffed. “I can tell you respect him, but I still think he’s an asshole.”

Raine’s smile reached his eyes. “He can be. Keep in mind, he is an alpha. His sole purpose is the safety and security of his clan. We have existed in the shadows for a thousand years. Abided by a set of strict rules to ensure ours and humanity’s safety. Your existence breaks every one of those.”

She threw up her hands. “Do you think I want to be a freak? Worse, a shadow freak?”

“You are not a freak, Dannika. You’re a miracle, but I need you to trust me. We are in uncharted territory. Let me show you my world. Give me time to discern the best course of action. Your safety is my number one priority.”

“You’re telling the truth. I can feel it.”

Raine ran his hand through his hair. “I am incapable of lying to you. Shadows don’t lie to one another unless they are a reaper, but our bond makes such an action abhorrent.”

She blew out a long breath. “I’m an act now, worry about the consequences later kind of girl.”

“I’ve noticed. You need to refrain from making rash decisions. You are no longer human and can’t interact in the human world until your training is complete. If you do not heed this warning, it isn’t you who will pay the consequences.”

She shook her head. “I make the wrong choice and people die.”

“I can guarantee that is true of the human world as well. It is just more apparent in ours.” The disgust in his voice was aimed at himself.

Dannika wasn’t prone to indecision, but she was curious. She nibbled her thumbnail as she glanced at the surrounding forest. Her speed had kept her alive numerous times. It would be useless against a man who could travel the shadows in a split second. What would her world be like if she gained those abilities?

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