Page 49 of Wrath

Need blood.

Need it.

Thirsty.

So thirsty.

Blood.

Blood.

Blood.

Smell it.

Want it.

Mine.

Mine.

Mine.

I drank, and drank, and drank.

The world fell away.

SIXTEEN

Z

Was I dying?

The warmth seemed to be fading from me like the sea drawing back from the land. I felt icy and cold all over. Even my veins felt sludgy.

Jax’s arms were around me, but it wasn’t a sweet embrace. It was almost too tight, as if he thought I would try to escape him.

But I wouldn’t.

Icouldn’t.

I was dying. I knew that. But I still couldn’t find it within me to fight back. The dagger, at some point, had clattered to the ground beside me. Maybe I could reach for it if I tried hard enough. Maybe…

But I didn’t want to hurt Jax. I loved him. I loved him so fucking much that I would willingly give everything I had to offer in order for him to survive. But god, he would hate himself as soon as he came to.

It was that thought alone that gave me the strength to reach for him.

But I didn’t push him away.

“Jax,” I whispered roughly, forking my fingers through his messy brown hair. “Jax…please…stop.”

And for a fraction of a second, I swore he stopped. The lips suctioned to my neck ceased their relentless sucking. Then he resumed drinking, groaning low in his throat and holding me even closer.

Dark spots erupted across my vision, and I felt myself growing weaker in his arms, swaying unsteadily on my feet.

“Jax, if you’re there…I love you.” My voice sounded so incredibly weak. I wouldn’t be surprised if he couldn’t hear it. “I forgive you.”

I dragged my hand down his bicep, and I swore a shiver worked its way through him. Like before, he paused, his lips still stuck to my neck, his breathing erratic.

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