Page 57 of Blood Bound
His words push me over the edge, and I come yet again with a cry that I stifle against his shoulder. Darick follows moments later, groaning my name as he finds his own release.
We stay like that for a long moment, both of us panting and trembling. Slowly, reality starts to seep back in. I can hear the music again, the chatter of the crowd just beyond our little alcove. Shame and regret start to creep in, at odds with the lingering pleasure.
Darick sets me down carefully, steadying me when my legs threaten to give out. I tug my skirt down awkwardly, not quite sure what to say.
Finally, Darick breaks the silence. “Rowan, I—”
“Don’t,” I cut him off, unable to meet his eyes. “Just…don’t.”
He opens his mouth to speak, but the curtain is pulled open, and I freeze as I stare into the face of a tall, dark-haired vampire who looks from me to Darick with unbridled curiosity.
“Well.” He gives a light chuckle. “I don’t think I need to ask what’s been going on in here.”
“What do you want, Marcus?” Darick barks.
“Do I need to remind you? Arabella will be here any minute.”
“Shit.” Darick’s features darken as he glances at me, then back at Marcus. “Tell her to wait.”
“Are you mad?” Marcus scoffs. “Look, I don’t want to break up your little…party,” he looks at me, “but you know why we’re here. You know why this is important.”
Darick frowns at me, then starts buttoning his shirt. “Wait here,” he tells me. “Do not move. Do you understand me?”
I stare at him silently.
Is he kidding?
“I’m serious, Rowan!” His voice is sharp. Marcus is looking at his watch. “Goddammit! Just wait…please,” Darick mutters with one last look at me before stepping out of the alcove.
I hover uncertainly for a minute or two after his sudden departure. What the hell just happened?
God, you’re an idiot, Rowan!
I don’t know why the man affects me the way he does. I look around until I find my panties draped haphazardly over a nearby seat. Reaching for them, I clumsily put them on, then straighten my clothes.
“Remember what you’re here for, Rowan!” I tell myself, determined to bolster my courage. Then I yank open the curtains and slip out of the alcove.
I push through the throng of bodies, my mind reeling from what just happened with Darick. I need to get back to the bar, to focus on why I’m really here. Mia. I have to find out about Mia.
Suddenly, I feel a sharp jab against my ribs. A rough voice hisses in my ear, “Don’t struggle, witch, or this blade ends up in your heart.”
My blood turns to ice. I freeze, unable to process what’s happening. The point of the blade pierces my skin as I’m shoved through the crowd. Panic rises in my throat, but I can’t scream. I can’t do anything.
Magic! Find your magic!
My mind flounders as I try to reach for it.
Why aren’t the wards working?
We reach a dimly lit corridor off the main dance floor. Adrenaline surges through me, and I twist, breaking free from my captor’s grip. I raise my hands, praying I’ll be able to unleash my magic, but before I can, something hits me. It feels like…a spell? But that’s impossible. Vampires can’t cast spells. Can they?
My magic falters, slipping away like water through my fingers. I blink, trying to focus on my attackers. Vampires, definitely, but there’s something else. Something…different. My vision blurs, and I can’t quite make it out.
As consciousness starts to slip away, I catch a glimpse of my abductors. Pale faces, gleaming fangs, but something prickles at the edge of my awareness. Something I can’t quite understand.
The last thing I feel is being lifted, carried away from the pulsing music and flashing lights of the club. Then, darkness claims me.
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