Bound by Blood (Bound #1)(23)

His touch would pain her, but his blood wouldn’t. Jace lifted his hand to his mouth and bit his wrist. He tore with his teeth and put his hand over her mouth. “Princess, please…”

The blood trickled into her mouth. Her lips moved the faintest bit against his skin.

“Take more.” She could take everything if she needed it.

“Alpha.” Louis’s quiet voice had his head lifting. His friend stared at him with a tense face. “You’re weak, too. Let me help you.”

Jace shook his head. “No, she’s—”

“I know she’s yours, but she’s also pack.” Louis offered his bleeding wrist. “If the blood of one wolf makes her strong, how fast do you think she’ll heal when she drinks from six?”

And the others who’d survived the battle crowded behind him. All had their wrists open. All were ready to sacrifice for the vampire who’d seen hell.

As she fed from him, her lips like a whisper on his skin, Jace’s gaze tracked back to the pit. Only the entrance wasn’t there any longer. Dirt had filled in, totally blocking the gaping hole. The ground was blackened, cracked, but no smoke drifted into the air. The doorway was closed.

He leaned close to her. “You did it,” he whispered. Her vampires were safe. The battle was over.

Now, his princess just had to survive.





Chapter Eight


The vampiress walked into the werewolf bar as if she owned the place. Since she was mated to the alpha, Jace figured that, well, she pretty much did. Her skin was pale and perfect, not even a blister left from the fire that had nearly stolen her from him. Her lips were red, full, and he’d soon feel them beneath his mouth. She was wearing a new pair of f*ck-me boots that showed off the long length of her legs. And her eyes—they were on him.

When the others became aware of her, they stopped talking. Heads swiveled toward her. Toward him. The bar waited.

He didn’t move. Jace wanted to jump up, run to her, grab her, but he was also enjoying the sexy picture she made as she crossed the bar.

Morgan smiled at him, flashing fangs. “The Miami Vampire Council would like to officially extend its appreciation to you,” she said, her voice clear and her eyes bright. “And if there is anything that the Council can do for the pack…” She stopped just a foot away from him. “You have only to ask,” Morgan finished, her voice softer.

She’d spent two days healing. Even with all the wolf blood, she’d had to battle to stay alive. He’d been by her side, determined to keep death away.

He’d succeeded.

When she’d woken, the vampires had made her the head of their Council. He knew she’d weeded out the vamps who’d been secretly working with Devon. The bastard hadn’t been implementing his plan alone.

She’d cut the head off the snake when she sent Devon to hell, and now Jace knew that she’d cut up the body, too.

Still, he didn’t touch her, not yet. “Glad the Council approves,” he said, his own voice mild.Understanding flared in her eyes. She lifted her hand and put her palm against his chest.

“And you have my personal gratitude…” Her lips curved. “For pulling my ass out of hell.”

He caught her hand. Pressed it harder against his chest. “Leaving you there wasn’t exactly an option for me.”

Jace saw the delicate movement of her throat as she swallowed.

“What was it like?” Louis called out. “What did you see, cher?”

She glanced back at him. “It was damn hot.”

Some of the wolves laughed.

“As for what I saw…” Morgan shook her head. “Some things are better not said.”

When she turned back to him, memories were in her eyes. While her body might have healed, Jace knew she’d carry the scars inside. Some memories couldn’t be forgotten.

“Is the gateway closed for good?” Because he didn’t want any more demons coming after her.

“Yes.” He still held her hand. She didn’t pull away. She inched closer as she said, “It closed when the demons killed Devon. He was the sacrifice I gave to them. He opened the pit, so it only seemed fitting that he close it.”

Jace waited. He knew there was more.

“I made a deal while I burned.” Her lashes lowered as she stared at their hands. His dark, hers so light. After a moment, she glanced back up at him. “I told those demon *s that if they accepted Devon and shut the door, I wouldn’t send my wolf down to tear hell apart.”

And he would have. If they’d kept her…

“When you yanked me out of their hands, they realized I was serious. You were ready for hell. But hell wasn’t ready for you.” Her hand fisted beneath his. “Besides, I don’t think the guy in charge down there really liked for his demons to escape.”

No, Jace bet he hadn’t been eager to lose those bastards. “So it’s over,” he said.

“No.” Now her body brushed against his. “The demons are gone, but things are far from over.” Her head tilted back. Her lips were inches from his. “In fact, I think you promised me that things would just be getting started…”

They would be.

“You locked me in a cage,” she told him, a faint frown pulling between her eyes. He brought his hands up to curl around her shoulders. “But I also pulled you out of hell. Makes us even, doesn’t it?”