eathing indicated that its demise was imminent. My body was stiff and still buzzing with excitement as I stood ov

With a sharper-than-int

ixture of dread and triumph, the ro

d as it rasped, "Too late." "The

my chest. "What'

g my arm in a reassuring, steady motion. Wi

's lips. "You'll see in due time.

de myself stay upright and look down at the thing that had distur

e's body turned limp, it

e

attack, and let out a quick sigh. As I tried to deci

ore to myself than

grounded by his solid touch. "Avoid becoming affected by its wo

ss in his voice revea

for answers in his featur

e as his jaw tensed. "I don't

through me. "I

tood in the clearing. The tension persisted even when th

uiet voice, "We have to move."

like lead, I nodded. "Ho

." For the rest, the message is sufficien

and I followed him as the for

cabin. As if to ward off the night's horrors,

he counter and shaking my hands. Lucian loomed clos

u're trembling,"

my voice betraying m

ully removed the glass from my grasp. "Cel

k hair cascading over his forehead. My weakness and the ter

me," I muttered. "

"We'll determine the cause. However,

t was the intention of his words. It sparked a deeper emot

?" My voice was hardly he

ing his hands on each side of the counter. His aroma was a

ay away," he said in a

kled. The heat emanating from him, the unsaid

y lips appeared to be h

but tender as he drew us closer. It was ferocious and all

nst his lips. His hard, demanding touch was all over me, an

ved him aside. But the way he made me feel-alive,

ack just enough to gaze at me. With his breath

unab

im nearer. As his hands moved down my sides and ignit

. There was no rogue, no mysterious war

hat reverberated throughout

ed at the door, b

mind?" Lucian's voice w

k into my chest,

the knock

pared to move if needed. His eyes were dark with

the door. Every muscle in my body ten

come colder as Lucian

he other end was deep, wel

ood f

er

or open and entered, Lucian to

ne, and his lips curle

red, his tone full of deri