Bound in Death (Bound #5)(38)

“S-screw the past,” she whispered.

And both men gaped at her.

Did it look like the past mattered right then? “I’m dying here.” The words barely could escape because of the damage to her throat.

Ryan’s mouth dropped. “Keira, my blood—”

Alerac tossed her brother head-first into the nearest tree. “It’s Jane. And I’m here.” He caught her chin in his hands. He titled his head, offering his neck to her. “Take from me.”

Jane didn’t need to hear a second offer. Her teeth sank into his throat. She was so afraid of hurting him—the way that Liam had hurt her—and tears leaked down her cheeks at the thought of causing him pain.

As she stood there, her teeth in his neck, his body against hers, his arms came up. Wrapped around her. Pulled her close.

Thunder rolled across the sky. Rain began to fall on them, hitting softly first, then harder, washing away the blood on her. Soaking her clothes.

“Drain him, Keira!” That was Ryan. Annoying her. “It’s what he deserves.”

No, she wasn’t sure what Alerac deserved, but she didn’t think it was death.

Her tongue lightly licked over his skin. She loved his taste.

She also loved the power of his blood. Just a few sips and she wasn’t weak, not any longer. Her body seemed to pulse with energy and life.

And lust had heated her.

Not lust for his blood.

For him.

She pulled her mouth from his neck. Alerac’s head lifted. Raindrops clung to his lashes as he peered down at her. “I didn't send them after you.”

An understanding sank into her, one that left her feeling lost. “You weren’t coming after me at all, were you?” He’d known that she’d run. Of course, he’d known. Mr. Super Senses.

He shook his head. “Not until I heard the howls.”

The howls had come when the werewolves attacked her. “What happened to them?” Jane whispered.

“Three are dead.” The lines near his mouth deepened. “The fourth will be.”

The dangerous intent in his voice made goosebumps rise on her arms.

“All right, she’s strong again. Not get away from her.” Ryan’s words rapped out. “It’s time for us to leave, Keira.”

“Jane,” Alerac corrected in a hard, tight voice. “She wants to be called Jane now.”

Ryan blinked. “What? Jane isn’t her name. It’s—”

Her shoulders straightened. “I don’t know Keira. I don’t…I don’t know you.”

He blanched.

“I’m Jane, and—” Oh, crap, this could be one huge mistake. But with his blood strengthening her, with his arms still around her, with Alerac’s eyes on her in that intense look that seemed to be breaking her heart, she could only say, “And I’m not leaving him.”

She couldn’t tell who was more surprised by her announcement.

Ryan.

Or Alerac.

Or, hell, maybe even me.

***

“Alerac O’Neill has Keira at his compound. The wolf has his whole pack around her, and they’re going to be guarding her constantly.” Lorcan Teague stalked around the small room, circling the human. “It’s now show time for you, Heath. Time to prove just how much you want that precious immortality.” Heath Myers was sweating as he sat at the small table. “I can do this,” the doctor said, his words a fast rush. “If I can talk to her, I can convince her that I’m on her side. That I’m trying to help her.”

They were only an hour away from Alerac’s home on the mountain. Lorcan didn’t dare go any closer. He wasn’t sure where Alerac would have his guards positioned. Some of those dogs could catch a scent from miles away.

“It’s not going to be just a matter of walking to the gates and getting instant admission,” Lorcan murmured.

Heath’s shoulders straightened. “I-I don’t smell like a vampire.”

Don’t you?

“I’m just human. All I need to do is get close to them. If Jane sees me, she won’t let the werewolves hurt me.”

The guy was an idiot. “You think that woman controls the werewolf alpha?” Laughable.

“I think—I think Jane will listen to me.” Sweat leaked down Heath’s temple. “Just give me this chance, okay? I can get to her.”

Lorcan stilled. Then he leaned over the table. He made sure that Heath saw the threat in his eyes. “It’s not about getting to her. It’s about Keira coming to me.” They needed to be very, very clear on this point. In two hundred years, no other blood princess had been born to his clan. They were too damn rare.

When he’d first learned that Keira had defiled herself with that wolf, his rage had nearly driven him mad.

But two hundred years had passed. The world had changed. There had been a few more werewolf and vampire matings over the years. He’d heard of those instances.

And been surprised by their results.

It seemed that when a vampire and werewolf bonded, when they shared blood, they also shared power.

Lorcan liked power. I will be the strongest vampire to walk this earth. He’d ruled his clan. Now it was time to rule all the vamps. It was his time.

He needed Keira back under his control because he wanted to study her. Heath wasn’t the only doctor at his beck and call. Sure, magic was still his favorite pet, but Lorcan had also learned the value of science.