Page 13 of Outcast Island

“How?” I wonder.

His touch travels up my back as his fingers follow my spine. It should be a terrifying movement, given the strength I know this male is capable of. I find myself leaning into it instead.

I really do have a death wish.

“The vampire I killed was trying to crash your escape pod on top of me.”

I blink at him a few times. “Oh.” Tilting my head, I recall the voice I had heard from a mile away. “So, you were the one who called the first vampire who found me back into the forest? How did you do that?”

His fingers begin to massage me, as though he hopes he can keep me from bolting if he’s gentle enough. “People have a tendency to do what I say.”

“Because of your charm?” I ask with a wry grin.

He chuckles. “Hardly. My power is from a dominance blood marker. If I command someone to do something, then they will.”

“Always?” I ask, my eyes widening.

He hums, making his purr roll deeper in his chest. “Not always. The command has to be within reason, and within the limits of the cost.”

I don’t have to ask what the cost is. I can feel its molten demand inside my chest.

Violence and blood.

Lots of it.

His purr stops as he curls into me, and I realize his fangs are poised against my throat.

And his arm has me locked against him.

I go very still once I realize the danger I’m in. His purrlured me into a sense of safety, and now I’m trapped.

“You need blood,” I guess.

“Vampire Omega blood, specifically,” he clarifies against my throat. His tongue flicks out to taste my skin, making me shiver. “And now that we are magic-bonded, we can finish what we’vestarted. We can become blood-bonded, if you wish.” He licks me again, making me shiver. “It’ll let me protect you.”

I don’t know what any of those words mean. Blood-bonded? Magic-bonded?

It makes my head spin, as does the reminiscent promise of protection in exchange for letting him bite me.

Also letting him knot me, perhaps, while he uses those large fangs on me.

I’m not sure I want that anymore. Now that he’s not seducing me with his purr, I’m not so convinced I’ll be safe.

That I’ll evensurvive.

“I-I’m sorry,” I murmur, flustered as I squeeze my eyes shut and prepare myself for his bite.

It’s going to hurt. There’s no way around that.

And based on the rousing need building inside of him, I know that it’s going to be violent.

He might not be able to stop. Who knows how long it’s been since he’s had the kind of blood he needs.

Given what he’s said about blood markers and compatibility, he might never have had blood like mine.

What’ll happen when he tastes me?

Will he knot me?

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