Refugee (The Captive #3)(35)

It was the alarm on Gideon’s features that drove her to her feet. Unfortunately, she forgot about the blow to her head and became somewhat dizzy as she rose. She took a staggering step before falling against the wall. Ashby retreated further as Braith came out of the stairwell. She didn’t blame Ashby, she’d never been afraid of Braith before, was certain he would never harm her, but in this moment he was terrifying in his anger. That fury was not directed at her, but it was explosive and it was looking for a release.

Aria pushed herself off of the wall as Gideon reached Xavier. Gideon’s eyes found hers as he rested his hand against Xavier’s shoulder. Xavier wasn’t moving though, he was too focused on the events unfolding in front of him.

“I’m fine Braith.” His jaw clenched and unclenched, the red of his eyes deepened. Aria gulped as she held her hands up before her. “See, I’m fine.”

“You’re bleeding.” The words were grated behind his clenched teeth.

She’d forgotten about the broken glass. “It’s from the windows Braith. I didn’t realize there was glass still in them.”

It didn’t seem to matter though as his head twisted slowly toward Ashby. He was like a wolf stalking its prey as his nostrils flared. Ashby took another step back as Braith came further into the hall. He was only two feet away from her now, but the distance seemed far more immense and she was scared she wouldn’t be able to cross it in order to reach him in time.

What was wrong with him?

She didn’t know the answer to that but it seemed as if he was directing everything at Ashby. “You had one job, one thing to do.” Ashby took another step back as Braith honed in on him. Panic filled her as she realized he was going to attack Ashby. It didn’t matter that she was fine, that they had succeeded in killing four of them. “All you had to do was make sure she stayed safe.”

Aria shoved off the wall. If Braith rushed Ashby, there would be no stopping him. Xavier had taken a step into the hall to watch what was about to unfold. Gideon tried to get past him but Xavier thrust out his arm, blocking his approach. “I want to see what happens,” he murmured.

Aria was confused by the vampire’s words. Gideon looked as if he was going to protest but remained silent as he took a step away. William was ashen, he too tried to get past them but Xavier and Gideon blocked his attempt. Weren’t they going to help her? At least help Ashby?

She didn’t have time to contemplate the answer as Braith continued to prowl toward Ashby. Melinda! She barely knew Braith’s younger sister, but she’d felt a bond with the proud, beautiful woman. If Ashby was destroyed, then Melinda would be also. Plus, she’d kind of grown attached to the cocky vampire who was currently backed into the corner at the end of the hall.

Scrambling forward, Aria threw herself in front of Braith, flinging her arms wide as she strained to get air into her suddenly constricted and panicked chest. “I’m fine!” she wheezed. “Look at me Braith. Look at me!” It seemed like forever before those red eyes shifted toward her. There was no softening in them though, no acknowledgement of her words. Without thinking, she ripped the bandages from her hands to reveal the shallow cuts that had only slightly bled. His eyes flared even brighter as they latched onto the drops of blood glistening on her skin. Was he hungry? Was that the problem? No, this was something more. He was caught up in something, and for the first time ever she wasn’t sure that she would be enough for him.

“Braith.” It was a low plea, a desperate whisper. He grabbed hold of her arms as she reached for him. His body was rigid, his muscles locked but his grip was surprisingly gentle. She hoped for a moment that he had come to his senses, but then he was moving her out of the way.

“Braith, wait.”

Aria strained in his grasp trying to get him to snap out of whatever had him ensnared. Her fingers shoved aside the sleeves of his shirt, she needed to feel his skin; she hoped the contact would bring him back to her but it didn’t seem to be helping.

“Here,” she breathed fervently. Grabbing hold of his hand she pressed it against her chest, over the spot where her heart beat. She had no idea what she was doing. “Here Braith, feel, I’m fine.”

Recognition seemed to shimmer through him, there was a wavering, a softening that sparked some hope inside of her. His fingers splayed against her, they twitched faintly and then curled into her shirt, into her flesh. Pulling her against him, his forehead fell to hers. Relief flowed through her; she clutched his hand as air rushed into her empty lungs.

“Alive,” he breathed.

“Yes, of course.”

Then, before she knew what he was doing, he wrapped his hand around the back of her neck and pulled her close. His mouth was in the hollow of her throat, his lips pressed against his marks on her skin. Aria went completely still, she would give him whatever he needed, but she sensed more behind this. She sensed something dark and desperate as his lips pulled back. A shiver worked through her as his fangs skimmed over her flesh, pressing against her. His arm latched around her waist, dragging her against him, pressing her body flush to his.

Her heart leapt wildly as she waited for his bite. She yearned for this so badly, perhaps even more so than him. Her fingers curled into his back, she forgot about the others within the hall, she didn’t care about them anymore. She was too swept up in him, too caught up in the teasing pressure of his fangs.