Page 153 of The Vampire's Bride

He drops to his knees and looks up at me, his face twisted in despair. “Juliet,” he rasps.

Panic seizes my chest. “What’s wrong?”

“No!” A tortured cry rips from his throat as he falls to the ground, writhing in agony.

I sink to my knees, grasping his shoulders. “Valaric?”

“You need to go,” he says, voice strained as his handsome features begin to warp and change. “Now.”

“What’s happening?” My hands shake as I reach for him. “Tell me how to help you.”

Even as the words leave my mouth, I realize what this is.

It’s part of his curse. It must be.

“You need to run,” he grinds out, a tortured look on his face. “It’s not safe. I—”

My blood runs cold as he releases a deep guttural growl. His form begins to shift, his skin stretched tight as his muscles twitch, his bones cracking and distorting. His claws elongate into black talons, and his fangs extend into sharp points that nearly reach his lower jawline.

“Valaric?” I reach a trembling hand to touch his shoulder, but quickly pull back as his eyes snap to mine, glowing like red embers in the darkness.

His face is barely human. He is nearly twice his normal size, his features dark and monstrous, and fixed entirely upon me.

“Juliet, get back!” Eben yells from behind me. “He’s not in control!”

Valaric releases a deafening roar that shakes the very earth beneath us. “Kill me!” I barely recognize the deep and terrifying voice that leaves his mouth.“Kill me before I hurt her!”

“No!” I shout as he collapses into the snow, his body still contorting, still growing. He tries to stand, but he falters, falling again to his knees.

Lightning fast, his massive hand shoots out, his talons wrapping around my waist. He pulls me to him, my back pressed against the solid wall of muscle that lines his chest.

This is just like my dream.

His breath is ragged against the back of my head as he growls, low and vicious. He presses his nose to my neck, and a strangled whine escapes him, as if he’s fighting the hunger—the urge to feed. His large hands tighten around my waist, his claws digging into my skin.

“Valaric, please,” I barely manage to whisper. “I know you’re in there.”

In a swirl of wind and snow, Eben shifts into a massive brown wolf. Cole shifts as well, his black fur melting into the shadows as he walks toward us.

They’re trying to save me. But I don’t need saving.

“He won’t hurt me!” I call out, praying that I’m right.

Valaric snarls at them, his talons tightening. I gasp as he pushes me behind him, his wings flaring out, shielding me from their approach. His gaze locks onto Cole, as he tries to flank him, ready to strike.

Valaric’s focus on Cole gives Eben the opening he needs, and the brown wolf lunges forward, fangs bared, sinking them into Valaric’s side.

Valaric knocks Eben away, sending him sprawling back into the snow. Cole releases a howl and charges forward. My husband roars as his sharp wolf claws rake across his chest, tearing through his flesh.

“No!” I scream, rushing forward, throwing myself between them.

Valaric’s massive hand grabs me again, pulling me close. It’s as if he’s trying to protect me.

The bond hums with intense energy between us. I focus on it, trying to reach him through the haze of his fury. Closing my eyes, I call on the connection that binds us. My hands lift of their own accord and magic sparks across the tips of my fingers.

It’s blood magic. Valaric’s magic.

It arcs through the air, forming an invisible ward around us, pushing back Eben and Cole.

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