Page 40 of Dance With Death

Sure, Grayson. That’s what you’re doing.

Violet’s blood hits my tongue, an electrifying energy that strikes my mind and seizes my thoughts. I lose any worry that I’ll find myself assaulted and bound by shadows, air hissing through my teeth as I press my lips to seal the cut. Violet’s blood races close to the surface in her wrist, intensifying the desire, and my teeth sharpen.

Violet doesn’t move, and I lift my eyes to hers. A deep part of me recognizes that the hybrid won’t attack; she’s locked in this blood-filled world with me.

Releasing Violet’s hand before temptation to slash her wrist with my teeth becomes too much, I take her face. The Petrescu possesses me, and I lean closer and drag my tongue along Violet’s stained cheeks, taking the tiny amounts of that forbidden energy. Blood from my cut palm covers Violet’s face as I do, and her breathing shallows at the scent.

Is this what worries Dorian? That I can disarm his untouchable hybrid daughter with our blood connection?

“What are you doing?” Violet pulls my hands away. Her eyes zone in on the bloodied palm, and she inhales sharply. “Grayson. I’m leaving.”

“No.”

“You think you can stop me?”

“I stopped you from bleeding,” I whisper.

Violet curls her fingers hard around my palm, obscuring the scent from herself. “You lied. You do want my blood.”

“I can taste everything mingling inside you. The darkness from your father. The purest magic from your mother.” I touch my lips. “Myself. I’m in your blood, Violet, and I want you in mine. We finish this dance.”

Violet’s eyes grow wider, and I move my mouth closer to hers, stupidly believing the taste of Violet’s kiss would distract me.

“No.” She yanks at my hair to pull my head back. “That can’t happen.”

“Because you don’t want me to take your blood?”

She says nothing, but there’s no hiding the mutual desire as she clings to my hair, holding onto herself. I can’t move my head, and my throat’s exposed. Violet darts a look to the pulsing vein and then releases my hair, stumbling back.

“Dorian,” she whispers. “What he said.”

“I don’t give a crap about his opinion.”

But I keep my distance, mentally shouting at myself to hold back because assaulting Violet would end everything, including my life.

“Dorian said my blood will kill you, Grayson. Why ignore that?”

“Why haven’t you bound me with shadows and already run?” I whisper back, taking a step closer. “Why did your heart beat faster when your blood touched my mouth?”

No response. I know the answer. Because this isn’t the Violet she presents to the world, or even the hybrid Violet who waited for me in my room. This is the Violet that we created, the Violet only I see.

“Did you not understand what would happen when you took my blood at the warehouse?” I ask. “We’ve had half a blood bond since that night."

“I never thought at the time. You were attacking me. I lost control.”

I trail a finger along her heating cheek. “And what do you think would happen next if you started spreading your blood around my room?”

“I was leaving!” she shouts and shoves me in the chest. “Before I hurt you or anybody else.”

But denial trembles through a vulnerable Violet, like the girl I confronted in her room after the attack at the warehouse. Violet lifts her hand, mouth parting at my blood on her hand.

“Violet. You have all of me. Literally. Not only my blood, but ever since that kiss, I’ve lost myself to you further. Buried myself in pretense that I can hold back.” She stares at me open mouthed. “I want you, Violet. Every part of you. Blood. Body. Heart, because you’re firmly lodged in mine.”

“I can’t do this,” she stammers out. “Not tonight.”

I swallow. Hard. Then turn away from Violet and the primal need threatening to end us. This has to stop.

She doesn’t move.

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