Page 67 of Eternally Yours

“Cat,” I called out to her. When she turned, I said, “Don’t you die on me.”

“Right back at you.”

Heading in the opposite direction, I hurried toward the staircase to the main hall. I sprinted up the steps, taking three at a time. Despite Cat's words about the coven, I couldn’t ignore Loren’s pull. Her blood was calling to me, and the anxiety mixed with rage streaming through our bond had me on edge.

If she was hurt, the world would burn. I swore it.

On the main level, the giant stone doors leading to the main hall were sealed closed. The Elders were likely hiding inside. It was the safest room in the coven. Outside, dead vampires and members of the Order were scattered about, the floor slick with blood.

A sword in my good hand, I stalked toward the hall, but as I neared the doors, a creature rounded the corner at full speed, skidding to a stop as soon as it spotted me. Humanoid. Ashen skin. Glowing red eyes. Two-inch claws dripping with blood. It snarled in warning as it hunched forward, fangs bared and readying to attack.

Shit.

It took me a breath to recognize the feminine features hidden underneath the mess of matted hair, caked blood, and the rampage bristling over its body. With slow movements, I sheathed my sword over my back and put my palms up, showing her I wasn’t a threat. “Loren?”

She seemed to flinch at the mention of her name, but her eyes remained aflame with bloodlust. Her entire body was locked on one thing. Killing me.

“Loren. It’s me, baby. Nicholas.”

Her eyes widened as if something rang familiar. Perhaps my name? My voice?

As her body relaxed, a loud, electrical charge boomed from a metallic collar wrapped around her neck. Loren dropped to her knees, panting in agony, her limbs growing rigid. On instinct, I rushed toward her, but as I drew near, a male voice crooned from behind me, stopping me in my tracks.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” the man said. “I’ve only shocked her back into submission. She’s still deadly and will rip your bowels open before you can expel your next breath.”

I turned toward the individual and recognized his smug face. “Dr. Thorpe. Glad you decided to leave the safety of your precious lab. About time you got your hands dirty.”

His face scrunched. “You’re supposed to be dead.”

I gritted my teeth. “Sorry to disappoint. What the hell did you do to Loren?”

He grinned. “You mean—whatyoudid to her. Your royal blood was the missing key. For that, I’m extremely grateful.”

I clenched my teeth so hard, my temples throbbed. Noticing the device gripped in his hands, I weighed my options. Whatever it was, he seemed to be using it to control Loren. I tried not to make any sudden movements, but he must’ve guessed my thoughts and pressed a button on the device.

Loren roared in agony, the sensation echoing inside me and dropping me to my knees.

“Interesting,” the doctor said. “You can feel her pain.”

I drew my sword, but he held up the device. “Drop it,” he commanded as he held his thumb over a button. “I can make it worse.”

I glanced over my shoulder and watched Loren writhing on the floor.

“Drop the sword,” he said again, and this time I listened.

“What do you want?” My breaths were deep as I tried to placate my anger, hoping Loren would feel the calm through our bond.

“To eradicate your species from the face of the earth. And I’m starting with your coven.”

“You sound like a madman.”

“I’d prefergenius. But small minds aren’t capable of understanding higher thinking. Stronger than any vampire, Loren can not only heal faster, she’s immune to sunlight. She’s the perfect weapon against your kind. Think about what I could do with an army of hybrids like her…”

“I will kill you before I let you exploit her.”

“Right now, you are in no position to be making threats.”

Something moved in the shadows behind him, and Cat’s face emerged. She pressed a finger to her lips as she waved more Iron Guard members up from the stairs and into the hall. Then she raised her gun.

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