Page 54 of The Veil of Blood and Magic

“Never again,” I repeat, almost more to myself than him.

Because itcan’thappen again.

It was too good. Too satisfying. Too exhilarating.

Too tempting to do it again and again…and that way leads nothing but danger and heartbreak and madness.

“Never again,” he agrees.

Chapter 14

Zev

Acomforting weight leans against my chest as I slowly pull myself from a deep sleep. I’m trying to get my eyes open when I notice the left side of my body feels like it’s on fire, which is in direct contrast to the cold hard ground beneath me.

The smell of honeysuckle and jasmine and red currants drenches the air I inhale, my own scent mixed with it.

Memories of sinking into her over and over again, her fangs biting into my flesh as my essence filled her mouth, runs through me like a sword strike.

My eyes bolt open, my heart pounding furiously against my chest.

The first thing I see is her mess of blond hair draped over my arm, her head laying on my chest. I blink a few times, noting our surroundings.

The thick of the forest that lines the beach, bits of sunlight breaking through the tight, frost tipped canopy above us.

The memories of chasing her come back to me slowly. I acted on pure, undeniable instinct last night when I saw her stumbleaway from our camp, and we’d passed out not long after we’d consumed each other like our lives depended on it.

I sigh, dropping my head back, and see Jagger standing right above us. I jolt before growling at him.

He flashes me a smug, chiding look as the succubus blinks, stretching dramatically before clarity dawns in her beautiful green eyes. She immediately shoves against my chest, putting at least three feet between us, glaring at me likeIwas the one who cuddled close to her in the middle of the night.

Shit, had I? I can’t remember.

“Naughty, naughty,” Jagger says, clucking his tongue at us as he walks around my outstretched legs, crouching to meet the succubus’s eyes as she sits up. He smooths some of her tangled hair back. “You let this one have all of you,” he says, nodding to me. “Why?”

I can tell he’s more curious than jealous, but it draws up more questions for me than answers. I thought he’d slept with her atThe Garden of Flame, but I’d never asked.

“I didn’t plan it,” she answers, her eyes softening to an almost apologetic look. But why? She doesn’t owe him—orme—anything. “Trust me.”

Jagger smiles down at her, taking her hand to help her to her feet.

I stand on my own.

“I believe you,” he says. “I’m glad you fed.”

“You’re not angry?” she blurts out, almost like she doesn’t mean to.

Jagger leans in closer to her. “Not at all,” he says. “Am I sad I didn’t get an invite? Sure. But we have time.”

“Two weeks at the most,” I add, even though I’m not really a part of this conversation. If he wants to seduce her or vice versa, they need to do it quickly.

The succubus looks at me, her eyes trailing the length of my body as I brush off the dirt and grass we slept in. Goddess, we were like animals last night.

“That spot by the water you found me at last night?” she asks me, and I nod. “I’m going to take a very quick, very cold bath.” She dares either of us to follow her before disappearing from view, her speed making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

She’s so damn powerful.

I felt it the moment I laid eyes on her, but after spending time with her, tasting her,fuckingher…I know it without a doubt. And it’s not just succubus power. There’s more she’s not telling us, but I don’t know if Iwantto dig deeper. Not when I’ll be using her as a trade in two weeks.

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