Page 18 of Immortal Burden

His brows drew together in consternation. “You are the one who cast it?”

I nodded, then rested my head back, needing the support more with every passing second.

“The Sorceress would be more equipped to sustain such a powerful spell over a lengthy period, her magic doesn’t suffer from the same depletion rate as other magic-wielders.”

“Long… story.”

He shocked me in the next moment as he released me then dropped his fangs and tore into his left wrist.

Then he was holding it out to me.

I jerked away as much as was actually possible in my current state and position.

“Ancient blood will heal you and counter the blood loss you’ve suffered with its potency.”

I didn’t move into it.

He cocked an eyebrow. “This is your first time,” he deduced.

“Of course. Why would I… need… to… ingest… vampire… blood?”

A bemused expression spread over his face. “You really only stay in your own lane, don’t you? All that you know about other species are facts specific to your role as a Guardian.”

“What does… that mean?”

It looked as though he wanted to tell me, to delve much further down this conversational path.

But another glance at my wound had him thinking better of it, and stepping forward instead.

He cradled my face and brought his wrist just a whisper shy of my lips. “Drink.”

I was close to passing out and if that happened the illusion would drop. Mia would feel it and worry, causing a lapse in her concentration that could compromise her in battle. I was in no state to heal myself while such a great deal of my energy was being diverted to the illusion.

So, I nodded, then grasped Lucian’s wrist with shaking hands and carefully lapped at the wound dripping from it.

His blood wasn’t what I’d expected.

I wasn’t even sure what that was.

All I did know was that it was the sweetest nectar I’d ever tasted. Just one drop and I found myself suckling the gash he’d made, not just needing more, but wanting it too.

I felt him squeeze his fist, then the liquid dripped rapidly into my mouth.

Before I knew it, I was gulping it down.

A rush like I’d never felt before, even counting whenever I mastered a new spell, surged through me.

The weakness and pain not only left me within mere moments, but with every drop I drank, an intense power and strength betook me.

Pressure to my forehead eased me away and I looked up, dazedly, to see Lucian holding me at bay as he held his wrist out of my reach.

I watched in an enraptured state as he licked the wound and it began to heal, his skin sewing back together swiftly.

He fixed the sleeve of his shirt and suit jacket and covered it beneath the luxurious fabrics.

“The heady sensation will pass within moments,” he told me. Reaching out, he brushed my throat. “This is already healed.”

“Thank you.”

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