Page 52 of Under Crimson Blades

“Ava?”

Remmus’ voice stole the violent fantasy from her mind. He stared down at her, hesitation lining his face, as he tried to grab her attention once more. With a start, she realized why. Her emotions had translated through their mating bond.

Almost bashful, Ava’s gaze shifted downward to where Celeste’s hand rested on Remmus’ forearm, her hot pink nails pressing into his tattoo in a gesture of ownership that Ava couldn’t allow.

Celeste was touching her mate.

Fury roared through her with the force of a tidal wave, slamming through any tentative barrier she’d erected where Celeste was concerned. Immediately, Ava lost the battle with her wolf, the animal breaking through her skin and shifting to four legs with ease.

In less than two seconds, her razor-sharp teeth were aimed at Celeste’s throat.

Chapter Twenty

Celeste’s back hit the wall of his living room with a thud, a cry of surprise shrieking through the air. Ava’s territorial snarl had been the only warning before she launched herself at the other woman with deadly intention.

Remmus intercepted her.

Velvet fur, massive claws and overwhelming predatory rage slammed into him. At the last moment, he reflexively threw his arm up to cover his neck; the wolf pacified when her teeth sunk into the fleshy part of his forearm. A burning sensation erupted where her teeth scored into him, but it was meaningless while danger still lurked. Nothing would calm her escalating territoriality until Celeste no longer posed a threat.

“Leave, Celeste.”

“And abandon you with a crazed wolf?” A flicker of fear threaded through Celeste’s shrill voice, punctuated by frenzied breaths.

“Go.”

Leaving no room for defiance, Remmus shoved at her motionless figure with an air shield, hoping the impact would prompt her into motion. A scoff of incredulity echoed, but light footsteps announced her departure.

The door slammed behind her.

Once the other woman had left the premises, the wolf still attached to his arm finally stopped snarling. With a physical jolt, her eyes cleared of the all-encompassing rage. Then, the predator saw who she’d latched onto.

Whining, she tucked tail before gingerly extracting her teeth from his forearm. Each whistle-like whimper hit him hard in the heart, and when a soft pink tongue lapped gently at his punctured flesh, Remmus caved.

He pulled her against him with his uninjured arm. “I should’ve warned you.”

Failure.

Before his fist tightened, Remmus intercepted the impulse, successfully compartmentalizing it until later. Ava tucked her snout into the nook below his shoulder, whining softly. Then, in a split-second shift, her human arms were wrapped around him.

Her cheek rested on his. “I’m so sorry, Remmus.”

“We’re going back to the den.”

He stood with her in his arms, hating the fact that he’d brought her to this. Cupping a hand over the back of her nape, Remmus tilted his head against hers, his lips brushing over her hair.

They teleported seconds later, but instead of landing steadily, he pitched forward, slightly off balance. A spike of pain accompanied the act, but he wrapped his arm around Ava, masking the action as one of possession.

Failure.

Another tendril of violence lanced through already compromised synapses, and Remmus shook his head to clear away the fog that’d latched onto him. The earth spun, and a droplet of blood trailed from his nose.

Growling, he brushed his arm against it.

Remmus realized in that moment that he could no longer blame the silver. Not when it affected his balance and his teleportation. Such a small amount of poison wouldn’t wreak this much havoc in his system. Over time, silver gradually dissipated in their blood streams, and this affliction hadn’t slowed down or stopped. In fact, it seemed to be gaining momentum.

The coercion was consuming him.

“I’m sorry, Remmus,” Ava whispered. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

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