Page 26 of Hell Storm

He pulled me closer, until my back was flush against his chest. With me tangled in his web once more, he leaned in to press his lips to my ear.

“You’re mine now,” he breathed, staking his claim. “And you’ll never want for anything ever again.”

CHAPTER NINE

Corina

The four walls of my bedroom were all I’d seen of Julian’s home today, thanks to Levi.

Or should I say, thanks to the sudden uncertainty I held when it came to curbing theurges—courtesy of his inherited trait. Even now, long after the sun had set, I was keenly aware of how critical it was to keep my distance from the princes. Aware of how badly my flesh called out for them all.

Well … the three who still hung around, that was.

Originally, the plan was to do a bit more scouting if I could manage, making sure I hadn’t missed anything that would hinder my escape tonight. Instead, I hadn’t moved from this spot on the floor since morning.

Elle didn’t hide her concern when I asked to take breakfast alone in my room, instead of dining with the others. She hid it even less when I made the same request for dinner. I think she only complied because I was actually eating today. She had no idea that was because I’d need my strength for tonight.

Besides, solitude was probably for the best.

Since being bitten and claimed by Levi, I hadn’t been myself. It dawned on me that the effects of the bond were far more intense than expected. While I guessedheonly experienced the heightened sense of duty Julian had,myexperience was much,muchless convenient.

During one of the many long hours I spent lying on the floor, staring at the ceiling, I coined a term for this feeling—carnalfury. It went beyond sexual need or frustration.

I was downright ravenous.

Levi’s venom lit an unquenchable fire right in the pit of my gut, and from what I could tell, there was no end in sight. Unless I gave in to it, of course, butthatcould never happen.

A hand pushed through my hair, and only then did I realize I’d begun to perspire. He, literally, had me burning up with need.

Breathing a sigh, I turned onto my side, letting the wood slats cool my cheek. The clock on the wall reminding me it was almost time to go. Midnight was my deadline. As soon as the house was quiet, and everyone had locked themselves inside their sleeping quarters for the evening, I’d be on my way.

The only thing that could stop me was death itself.

I missed them all so much—Liv’s sass and big heart, the way Felix could make it seem like even the hardest times were bearable because we were a family, Dev and Banks’ jokes, O.C.’s protectiveness, Alex’s optimism, and Shay’s nurturing spirit. We all added something to our unit and I couldn’t wait to get back, couldn’t wait to hug them all and do my part in aiding the mission once again.

Suddenly motivated, I used the bedpost to pull myself up, and then stared at the clothing I laid out on the comforter—a pair of dark jeans, a black t-shirt. Anything that would make me stand out less against the dark of night was helpful. I even found a black duffle bag stashed in the top of the closet, which I could pack with a few helpful items, and food to take back to the team.

But that wasn’tallI intended to take back to them.

I’d been away for a while and could only guess things hadn’t gotten easier without me. Provisions were lowbeforeI left, which meant they’d likely depleted even further despite whatever efforts had been made. Being here in the palace, in the land of plenty, only made me want better for my team, for those we sheltered until transport. It was this burning desire to bring a bit of ease to our life of hiding, and secrecy, that made me even more determined to do my part. In short, I had no intention to return to camp empty handed.

There were races every weekend. From dusk til’ dawn for those with a standing reservation like I had. A few quick wins tonight could mean food and med supplies for a month. I couldn’t affordnotto make this detour. As badly as I just wanted to go home, I couldn’t pass up this opportunity.

And besides, perhaps showing that I was still useful to my family would make them less likely to turn me away when I got there.

It seemed so farfetched when I first considered it, but then I thought of all that would be compromised. To start, others in our network could decide to cut us off because of my new connection to the monarchs. It wouldn’t go unnoticed that I was bound to two already, nor would it be forgotten that, in a matter of weeks, I’d become one of those we fought so hard to defeat.

A vampire.

What if they don’t want me back?

What if they think of me as a traitor, now that I have the vampire’s mark on my shoulder?

… Can I blame them if they do?

A brief moment of doubt made me consider the unthinkable—staying put and not bothering with this escape tonight. I had to believe it wasn’t all for nothing. Even if theydidturn me away, at least I could deliver the food and whatever money I’d net from the races.

It wasn’t the bright side I hoped for, but it was a bright side nonetheless.

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