Page 29 of 20% Blood 80%
Until the last time.
I’d never been drawn to anyone so strongly before. Then I’d turned it all to shit with my goddamn insecurities.
My fear of deception had had me slamming on the brakes even when the rest of my body screamed go.You’re an idiot.D’alton didn’t have a deceptive bone in his body. Everything showed on his expressive face. His innocence, combined with his competence and willingness to take on anything, heedless of the danger, got under my skin and lit me up in the best of ways.
From the corner of my eye, I saw something flash beneath the moon’s orange glow. With nothing to lose, I flew toward it, my hands strangling the handlebar grips.
There would be no more fighting my attraction. The thought of D’alton’s fangs gliding over my neck before plunging into my vein had my balls tightening against the seat.
I shook my head and maneuvered closer to the glowing orange rock face, looking for a flat place to land.Quit fucking daydreaming.
The contours on the map showed a level area about twenty meters to the right, big enough to land a hoverbike.
I decreased the thrusters preparing to land. A skating rink-sized surface shone like ebony beneath the moon’s orange glow. As I maneuvered off the bike and slung my pack over my shoulder, I scowled at the green dot on my wristport.That motherfucker better not be lying.
Though I was warm inside my thick coat, something about the unnatural smoothness of the rock sent goose bumps prickling over my skin. The green tracker grew in size when I shuffled onto the slick surface. The air, still and silent, heightened my senses.
Ebony shards jutted toward the sky like sentinels, ringing the perimeter of the glossy rock. This whole place gave me the willies.
On my next cautious step, a giant boom filled the air, and I fell forward, landing flat on my belly. Ahead of me, the smooth rock broke off into nothing. Splayed out across what amounted to a sheet of broken black glass, my heart ricocheted in my chest.
I squeezed my eyes shut, focusing on the tinkling shower of glass as it smashed below. It sounded close, like maybe I wouldn’t break my neck if the section beneath me gave way.
D’alton had to be down there.
Though returning to the hoverbike would’ve been the smarter option, I spread my arms and legs out wide over the glass, distributing my weight as evenly as possible, and wormed forward on my belly, desperate to see him.
“D’alton!” I called out. “You down there?” My voice echoed through the open chamber.
Despite the lack of response, deep in my heart, I knew he had to be.
The closer I got to the splintered edge, the more it creaked and groaned, fine cracks spreading under my weight. An arrow came into view, followed by another, then a black-clad leg, and at last… I exhaled, my breath clouding the glassy rock beneath me. D’alton’s deep-brown face, eyes closed as he curled on his side.
“D’alton,” I shouted again. He was so close now that my heart raced. Why wasn’t he opening his eyes?
Is he injured?I needed to get him out of there. I shimmied backward on my stomach, black glass falling like ice cracking over a frozen lake. Though I should have gone slower, the image of D’alton lying there helpless compelled me to hurry. What if I was too late?
What seemed like hours later, I’d made it back to the hoverbike. In a blur, I mounted, shot across what remained of the black glass and descended into a cavern the size of my mom’s bungalow on Earth.
Hoverbike left idling, I skidded to my knees in front of D’alton. Black glass flashed on the cavern’s floor and over his body. “Please be okay.” I yanked off my glove, wiggling my fingers beneath his to get to his wrist. When I picked up the thread of his weak pulse under my shaking fingers, I sighed. He’d be okay. He probably just needed blood.Of course he needs blood, you fuckwit.
The temperature had dropped from cold to teeth-chattering as the sun set. Muscles tensed, I scanned the cavern for a place to build a fire but found nothing but vulcanized black rock.
If giving him my blood went even remotely how it had last time, then this was not the place. My cock stirred at the thought, and heat rushed to my cheeks as I reined in my poorly timed desire.
Quickly brushing the glass off him, I patted D’alton down for injuries. After finding none, I crouched to get his weight over one shoulder and heaved him up to my side. In short order, he was in the hoverbike’s side compartment, strapped down to keep his head from lolling.
I ran my fingers through the dark curls on his head before I placed the spare helmet over them. “Hang on just a little longer, baby, and I’ll give you whatever you need.”
12
Everymuscleinmybody jerked to life, straining with a debilitating tension. For a moment, I floated out of my body, suspended in the breath between desperate need and salvation. The next second, my focus narrowed down to one sense and a scent so enticing my fangs throbbed. It was fragrant and velvety rich, and a memory of whisper berries tingled on my tongue.
Liquid meant to numb my bite pooled in my mouth. Hunger consumed me…and pain. Like a spike being driven through my skull. Tremors racked my limbs and animal need prevailed. My shaking muscles complied—forced by instinct, not reason—and I struck.
Lightning fast, heart beating at warp speed, I flipped my prey onto his back and pinned his arms to the mattress with one hand.
Fangs dripping, I lowered my mouth. Inhaling his heady aroma, I sucked at his flesh, licking over the pulsing vein that flashed like a life-giving blue beacon.
