Page 32 of Reign of the Beast

“Fucking Ice Queen!”

“That’s it!” I screamed, tossing the covers aside, and swinging my legs over the bed, against my body’s painful protests.

A sudden gust of wind blew through the room, stopping me short.

Ryker spun toward the door right as Lucian appeared before us in a burst of speed. “Please employ some restraint,children.”

“Children?” I fumed. “How dare you?”

“Yeah, Lucian, how dare you actually tell her like it is? You know the Ice Queen can never put a foot wrong,” Ryker uttered, sarcasm dripping.

Before I could get another word out, Lucian pressed his hand to my chest, gently easing me back down into bed.

He stepped up to Ryker and caressed his shoulder lovingly. “I know you are upset, however—”

“Damn straight I’m upset!”

“Why? What’s this really about? Why are yousoangry with me? Is it Jaxon and me, our—”

“Get over yourself.”

“Fine. Then tell me!”

He jerked from Lucian’s touch and shot forward, slamming his fist down on the bedside table, knocking the lamp off at the impact. “You almostdied!Do you get that?”

Oh.

“Ryker, I—”

My words caught in my throat when a high-pitched ringing pierced through my very being.

I fell back on the bed, slapping my hands to my ears. “Ahh!” I cried.

“Mia?” Ryker called, coming to my side.

All of a sudden, Lucian snarled, vamped out, and launched himself at me.

I screamed as he landed on me, straddling me, pinning me to the mattress.

The piercing sound abated and I was able to summon rational thought again.

I shoved at him, hoping to throw him off me, but to no avail. I was still too weak.

My magic wouldn’t come forth either.

I was helpless. Not a familiar feeling to me and not one I’d ever wanted to experience.

“Lucian!” I heard Ryker calling, as he wrapped his arm around his neck, fighting to pull him off me. “Stop! Think!”

Lucian ignored him and jerked my robe down off my right shoulder.

He snarled dangerously, then dove for my throat.

I shrieked.

A ferocious roar reverberated through the room.

Ryker was knocked back and strong, heavily tattooed arms took hold of Lucian, biceps bunching and straining against the strength of an Ancient vampire primed for the bite.

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