Page 51 of Immortal Burden

He stilled, looking shell-shocked by my revelation.

He reached out and clasped my charred hand, careful not to put any undue pressure on the skin. “I haven’t been able to forget any of it.” He smiled. “And I don’t want to. You… do something to me, elicit sensations and emotions in me that I never knew existed. You’ve… awakened me. Like I said outside, I want more, I want you.”

Elation coursed through me, my acute discomfort momentarily eclipsed by his raw, heartfelt confession.

He let go of my hand and eased back, flipping his wrist up and holding it before me. “Feed.”

“What?” I spluttered, more than a little shocked by his brazen offering.

He pushed his wrist at me. “Drink,” he insisted. “You need to heal. As much as you’re trying to hide it, it’s obvious you’re in a lot of pain.”

“I can’t,” I said, easing back further into the couch to distance myself.

The moment he’d offered it, it had sparked my bloodlust.

His strong heartbeat resonated through me.

I could almost taste it.

My reaction was far too extreme.

Dangerous.

“Of course, you can. After all, it won’t be the first time.”

“That was different.”

“How?” he asked, not understanding the predicament.

How would he? I hid it well, I always had.

“I was in absolute control when I tasted you. I had fed just before you arrived. In this instance, I have gone a long while without sustenance. I can’t be… gentle.”

He shrugged. “I’m a warrior, a Guardian. I’m no stranger to pain, Lucian.” He thrust his wrist at me, just shy of touching my lips. “Just do it.”

I snarled, frustration and the strain of keeping my bloodlust in check taking me over. “You aren’t comprehending the severity of the situation, sorcerer.” I snatched his wrist roughly, making him gasp at the shock of it. “Your blood is extremely potent. I have sampled every species in existence, aside from those with Immortal blood, and I have never tasted anything like yours. The rush was astounding. With me in my current state, my control compromised, approaching ravenous hunger now due to the strain of the wounds I’ve sustained, it’s beyond dangerous.” I squeezed his hand with the limited strength I had remaining. “I could kill you, drain you dry. Without your magic, you will not be able to stop me if I enter that feral state either.”

I saw him taking my words in.

He nodded slowly and pulled his hand free.

The next thing I knew, he was rising to his feet and taking off out of the room.

“I am sorry, but hurting you is not an option,” I called out, hoping to ease his displeasure with me.

At least he had accepted my reasoning. It was better his mood souring than him being harmed by me. Just the mere idea of causing him any pain churned my stomach. I couldn’t bear the notion.

I groaned, shifting position so that I was lying down on the couch.

I closed my eyes, hoping sleep would take me quickly, muting my pain and bloodlust for long enough until his magic returned, or dark fell and I could take care of both my predicaments.

A powerful scent hit me, infusing my entire being.

My body went rigid, my cock hardening instantly.

The demon fought to gain traction, to escape its cage.

My eyes snapped open, my fangs dropping of their own accord.

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