Page 35 of Reign of the Beast

“I guess I’m just not used to you showing affection to me.”

“I know,” I said sadly. “Everything has been a whirlwind. The revelations, being forced apart, Draco… all of it. We haven’t had time to talk.”

Giving my hand a squeeze, he said, with a sexy smirk, “Guess we better start then.”

“Yeah,” I agreed. “I’d like that.”

7

~Lucian~

Devour!

An all-pervading scent consumed me the moment I regained consciousness.

It called to the demon within, goading it to the surface, giving it a power I had so long denied it.

I clenched my fists, straining to keep locked up tight what it so desperately craved.

I knew if I failed and gave it breath, allowing it to rise to the surface, it wouldn’t stop until it drained every drop of coveted Immortal blood within range.

And once it had ingested such powerful fuel, it would rage, the infamous Ravager returning in greater force than ever before.

Drink!

Taste their power!

Indulge your true nature!

“No!” I roared, attempting to bolt forward, only to find myself held fast by some formidable binds.

I peered down at my prone form to see my wrists and ankles cuffed. They were attached tohefty chains that hung down either side of the bed I was sprawled out on, buckled into the floor below.

I tugged again, more than a little surprised to see that my strength had no impact whatsoever on the old floorboards holding the chains.

The door opened and I turned my head to see Ryker entering.

His gaze zeroed in on my clenched fists and my continued violent tugging.

“Stop. You’ll hurt yourself,” he warned. “You can’t break them. They work similarly to your club’sinhibitor, except rather than voiding magic, they nullify supernatural strength.” He kicked the door shut and walked to the bed. Eyeing me warily, he said, “Of course, one obvious way around it is to hurtmeand force me to free you.”

“I would never harm you.”

He appeared unsure, hesitating on coming closer within my reach.

“You are my heart, my beloved. I would forfeit my life to safeguard yours.”

“Immortal blood makes any vampire lose their mind. But with your bloodlust issues, it’s even worse for you. Ihaveto be cautious. I’m the only one who’s still standing unbroken right now. If Draco comes, I’m the only defense we have.”

“You have recovered from your magically-depleted state?”

He merely nodded.

“How long have I been out?”

“Close to a day.”

I started at the information. “How? I am an Ancient. A mere gut wound shouldn’t have incapacitated me for so long. In fact, it shouldn’t have caused me to lose consciousness at all.”

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