Page 63 of Blood that Burns

She tilts her head to the side, giving me full access to her delicate neck. The vein that runs down the curve pulses, and my hunger for her can’t be contained any longer.

I don’t bother warning her about the initial sting. We’ve been there before, and she’s asked for it. My mouth fuses to the place right above her shoulder and I bite down. She yelps, shuddering underneath me. I’m about to stop, to ensure she’s all right, but she says softly, “I’m fine. Drink.”

I do. Her warm blood flows through me as I lap at her neck, alternating between sucking and soothing the burn away with my tongue. Her back arches as the pain is replaced by the tingling sensation that flows through me as well. Each of my nerve endings tickle as her blood flows through me.

Maggie moans and the sound travels straight to my groin. I’m so hard it’s damn near painful. The things this woman does to me... it’s insanity. In all my years, I’ve never felt this before. Only with her.

I take one more sip before pressing the comforter to her wound and falling next to her. My breathing is ragged as her blood courses through me. It works its magic over me, and the room becomes clearer, brighter. Her inner thoughts begin to sound in my mind.

Shit. Please don’t stop. Please, kiss me.Her thoughts are jumbled and my mouth tips up in a smile.I’ve done what Reese asked, but I want more. More.

Her words are the equivalent of having my body doused in ice. I’ve done what Reese asked?What the hell does that mean? I jerk up and her eyes widen at my sudden movement.

“W-what’s wrong?” she asks.

“I heard you, Maggie. What did you do for Reese?”

Her face turns from pink to white in a matter of seconds. She sits up and turns to face me fully.

“Nothing... well... something, but it’s not a big deal, Law.”

My teeth grind together. “What did she ask you to do?”

I just shared with her my past with Lucresse. Although the witch has given me no reason to distrust her, I can’t help it. She knows too much. Having my life in someone else’s hands is debilitating. I made a deal with her, but she could out me at any time.

My punishment for having my father killed? So much worse than death. Julian might not have loved my father, but he’s determined to uncover his murderer. If he found out it was me, he’d be forced to take action, and he’s the one person—aside from Maggie—I can’t lose.

“She said that Marina and I needed to share our blood with you and Julian. We needed to power you up.”

I’m unsure as to what I thought she was going to say, but that... isn’t it. I shouldn’t be pissed; I should be relieved. Yet, that niggling feeling of anger claws its way into my mind and bangs at my chest to be unleashed.

Everything in my life is contrived.

My friends liked me for my influence and money. My father cared only because of my possible connection to the legend he sought. The connection Maggie and I share is a byproduct of a bond we have no command over. One that some other entity controls.

Maybe it’s from the overflow of power surging through me or maybe I just don’t like to be made a fool. And foolish is exactly what I feel.

I forgot who I am and who she is. I was so desperate for her...needingher, that I forgot that my life isn’t my own. The blood share was orchestrated by Lucresse. Maggie was carrying out orders to fulfill whatever vision the witch had.

I’m a pathetic fucking idiot.

“Law, I—”

My hands shoot up. “Save it. It’s all good. I needed to power up to be any use at the auction, and you simply helped. I guess a thank you is in order. So... thank you.”

I jump from the bed, needing to get away from her and all of these feelings. I can’t determine whether it’s her mind screaming at me or her. My head shakes back and forth as I attempt to block it out. It doesn’t work. The emotions and the words only get louder. Stronger.

“Law,” Maggie yells at my retreating back, but I don’t stop. I need to escape this noise.

“I should’ve known,” I bellow, bursting into my room in the servant’s quarters. Katina falls back on her butt, looking frightened by my outburst. “I should’ve known.” The words come out broken.

Katina makes another attempt to stand, successful this time, brushing off her black skirt and toying with her blood-red nails. “I think you might be in the midst of some blood-rage episode. You know... like roid rage, but with blood.”

I cut a glare in Katina’s direction, hating myself for taking out my anger on her. She doesn’t deserve it, but I can’t stop.

“Geez. Don’t kill the messenger. It was just a thought.”

She might actually be on to something. This reaction is overboard, but I can’t stop.