Page 43 of Infernal

“Ask me again.”

My heart skipped at his words.

I knew what question he wanted me to ask him. Only this time, I was too much of a coward to ask it. I didn’t have the courage or the luxury to venture down that rabbit hole with him. Not with the Order breathing down my neck and Trace’s life hanging in the balance.

“I can’t.”

His eyes drank me in as though I were spilling secrets out of every pore on my body. He opened his mouth to say something then closed it as a grimace gradually passed over his features. Whatever he was going to say, it wasn’t going to see the light of day in this lifetime. Instead, he pulled his foot back from the door and then brought his wrist to his mouth.

“What are you doing?” I asked as his fangs clicked out.

His sharp teeth pierced through the skin, drawing out two droplets of blood. “It’ll help you sleep,” he said as he extended his wrist to me like a peace offering. I started to shake my head when he added, “No strings attached.”

My eyes locked on the drops of crimson, and I unconsciously licked my lips, water pooling readily in my mouth. I knew all about the full body restoration that a small taste of his blood would bring, and while I’d managed to restrain myself before, seeing it in front of me…I wasn’t sure I had the willpower to turn that kind of elixir away.

Was it really so wrong to indulge in his blood if it meant that I’d be sharper, calmer, and more myself? I wasn’t hurting anybody. In fact, I was bringing the odds in my favor, because at the end of the day, what use would I be to anyone if I was nothing but a shaky bag of nerves? Right? Right.

Somehow, I’d managed to convince myself that this was the right thing for all involved. Wrapping my fingers around his forearm, I pulled him inside the room and shut the door behind him, not wanting anyone to witness my tumble from the wagon. My eyes flicked up to his, gauging him for any signs of judgment or trickery, but there was none to be found.

He was trying to help me—to make it easier on me in his own twisted way. I could see that now, and the realization wiped away any remaining apprehension I may have had.

He watched with silent interest as I brought his wrist to my mouth and covered the two puncture wounds with my lips. The dark pull inside me took over, and before I could think twice about it, I sucked down hard, drawing out a mouthful of his enchanted blood. He winced, but he didn’t pull away as I ravenously drank from him.

“I could watch you like this forever,” he murmured, though his words barely registered.

I was too busy drinking him in like a lone glass of water in the middle of the desert.

There was no euphoric high, of course, as that only came from his bite, but I felt stronger, invigorated and more powerful with every mouthful of his blood I swallowed. My body was being restored, and the pain was slowly ebbing away.

He slouched back against the door with a thud, resting his weight as he watched me feed my darkness without interruption. I wasn’t sure what any of this said about me, what it meant, and frankly, in the moment, I didn’t much care.

“Angel, that’s enough,” he said lowly as he tried to unhook his wrist from my mouth.

But I wouldn’t let him go. I clasped his forearm with my other hand and pushed myself into him, barricading him against the door with my body. I could feel myself getting stronger, and him weaker, but I still couldn’t stop myself from drinking.

I wanted more of him.

I wanted to devour every last drop of him.

I bite down on his skin with my own teeth as I manically tried to make the wounds bigger, but he quickly ripped his wrist away from my mouth. I stumbled back, panting and shocked by what I’d done.

Turning his wrist over, he appraised the damage, looking even more stunned than I was.

“I’m…I’m sorry,” I said and covered my mouth with my hands. “I didn’t mean to.”

Not only had I not meant to do it, but I had no actual idea what the hell had gotten into me.

“It’s fine, angel. No harm done.” He smiled at me, but it was weak and feeble. “I just need a minute,” he said as he propped his head back against the door.

My face blanched as I realized I’d taken way too much—so much so that he needed a freakin’ minute to get himself back together. I was thoroughly and wholly mortified with myself.

“What can I do? Tell me how to fix this,” I pleaded, deep in the throes of guilt. My shaky hands hovered awkwardly between us as I tried to figure out what to do with them. “Oh, my God. I’m so sorry!”

His eyes met mine in the dark, though not much else of him moved. “You never have to apologize to me, angel. I already told you that.”

But I did. I so did. He came here to help me, to offer me some of his restorative mojo, and I damn near ate him alive. I was a monster! A freak! What the hell was wrong with me? I didn’t even like the taste of blood! Okay, granted, his blood didn’t taste like actual blood, but still!

“Here,” I said, jamming my wrist in front of his eyes. “Take some of my blood!”

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