Page 53 of The Brotherhood

A shot of relief flew from her as dread clawed at her chest. She’d dreamed about that terrifying abyss. It was like a magnet and her body was made of whatever attracted it. She was dragged slowly through tunnels to the hideous dark pool, but it didn’t pull her in, it began pulling her babyoutof her.

“You were having a nightmare,” he whispered, her panic returning at remembering more of the dream. “I have food. You need to eat.”

Her gaze found the fire in a large fireplace on her right. She scanned the décor next, remembering.

“It’s one of guest suites. I stayed to make sure you were safe.”

Safe.

The odd term niggled at her as she regarded the posts on the bed surrounded in ivory sheer curtains. “I dreamed…they took him from me.”

“Who?” he asked, his gentle tone caressing her.

“Whatever…is in the abyss,” she gasped, her panic rising again as she touched her belly. “They took him…right out of me.”

His hands returned to her shoulders, gentle and firm. Warm. “I’m sorry for scaring you with the abyss. I shouldn’t have.”

She shook her head as he turned then handed her a plate of food. “I can’t eat. I’m not hungry for food.”

He paused, watching her before setting the plate behind him and facing her again. “Tell me what you need. I’ll get whatever it is.”

Her mind and body suddenly screamed what she needed, and it brought hot tears to her eyes. “I need my husband,” she choked, covering her face.

“Don’t cry,” he urged softly, barely petting her head. “I think it’s his blood that you need,” he whispered.

Hearing it out loud punched a hole in her as she eyed him, desperate and terrified. “What if…the baby is…”

“We’ll check the baby as soon as we return,” he assured.

She closed her eyes as exhaustion swarmed her. “I’m… dizzy.”

“Lay down,” he urged, helping her back on the pillow.

She latched onto his hand when the mattress pressed into her. “Don’t leave.”

“I’m not leaving,” he whispered, his strong voice bringing a wave of calm. “You’re not the only one experiencing odd symptoms,” he added, his fingers stroking the hair from her forehead.

“What’s wrong?” she barely managed, trembling despite the warm safety he created.

He stared at her then turned his gaze to the fire. She watched the flames flicker in his green gaze. “It’s…”

Something in his tone brought her sitting back up. “Tell me,” she urged, realizing the second she gave the order, it was one he wouldn’t be able to refuse. But she didn’t take it back.

The turmoil in his eyes and the shake in his breaths gripped her. “I’m… I’m supposed to give you my blood.”

A gasp flew from her at those words. She covered her mouth with a hand, feeling something break inside her.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, the words half strangled as her breaths turned shallow.

“I…”

“Tell me what to do,” he begged quietly, tormented. “I don’t care about giving you my blood.” His lips parted with shuddered breaths as hunger swam through her blood, sharp and angry. “I want to,” he confessed, locking his gaze on her. “Ineedto.”

The hunger unfurled into a rabid craving, sending her scooting back.

“Why are you fighting it? What are you afraid of?”

He turned on the bed and reached for something then faced her again. Her eyes locked on the knife in his hand, the sight of it rocking her withlust. “No,” she whimpered as he slid the blade across his palm and produced a line of blood.

---