Page 78 of Shattered Illusion

My magic roils under my skin at the sight of such a fearsome predator, almost like it does when I’m facing certain danger. Only there’s no danger here. It’s only Axel and I. And he’d never hurt me. I know that with every fiber of my being.

I attempt to brush it aside, focus back on how he’s making me feel. But it comes roaring back with a vengeance.

“Bite me,lamia.” The Latin rolls off my tongue easily—thank you, Professor Mayer—my words laced with a sultry purr. His red gaze dilates further, the rich blood-colored hue disappearing altogether. Only to be replaced with shining black orbs, reflecting the hunger he’s aching to hide.

“Cor meum,” he hisses, his fangs bared in a snarl. “You don’t know what you’re asking for.”

He’s right. I have no idea what I’m asking for, but there’s this burning need deep inside that will only be satisfied by the pleasure his fangs would bring.

“Please,” I beg as I attempt to lock down whatever is causing my magic to wreak havoc on my insides. My movements become unbidden, almost like I’m outside of my body watching as someone else tips my head back, offering my blood to him.

“This is your last warning,cor meum. If we do this, I hope you’re prepared to be a little slut for my fangs. Because I’ll be buried balls deep in this perfect fucking pussy every time I feed from you.”

“Do it.”

Like a viper striking, Axel buries his fangs in my neck, groaning as he slurps hungrily at the ichor fleeing my body into his.

The scream that leaves me sets my magic free, exploding from my pores like detonating dynamite. Leaving only destruction in its wake. But it doesn’t touch us. Nothing can touch what’s happening between us.

My vampire breaks his hold on my neck, tossing his head back. “Yes! Give me to me,cor meum. Soak my cock like a good little fang slut.”

“Axe!” I shriek, my whole world tilting on its axis as my orgasm blinds me with its intensity, and my soul is once againripped from my body before snapping back like a pulled taut rubber band.

“Oh fuck. There it is. That’s my good girl.” He delivers a few more punishing thrusts before pushing in as far as he can go, groaning my name as he fills the condom with his cum.

Tremors wrack my body in time with his shaky legs before they give out beneath him, his cool hand cradling my head as we fall to the floor in a sweaty heap.

My eyes flutter open, not realizing I’d closed them, and I watch in disbelief as vines work their way across Axel’s pale flesh, settling on his shoulder in the same spot my magic marked Luka as mine.

“Oh. Oh, no, no, no,” I cry, trying to sit up, trying to get the vampire to release me, but he only clutches me tighter, fusing us together and refusing to let me go.

“What’s wrong,cor meum?” Concern darkens his once-again red orbs, the bliss of the moment long gone.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know that would happen. I thought… I thought…”

“What? You’re scaring me, Bailey.” Does he not feel it? The bond now tied to the depths of his soul like it is mine?

“I bond raped you!” I bury my face in his neck, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Bond?” he whispers to himself, confusion lacing his tone. “What bo—” He doesn’t finish his sentence, telling me he finally realizes what I’m saying. “Oh,cor meum, look at me. Please.”

I shake my head, refusing to give in to his plea. But my vampire isn’t having it. He sits up, tangling his fingers into my hair and forcibly tilting my head back until he can see my face.

Then he silences me with his mouth, a few chaste kisses that derail my meltdown over bond-raping my vampire. If I had known my magic would mate us—a vampire who isn’t destined to be my soulmate—I never would have let this happen. Wantsand needs be damned. I stole his chance at choosing a mate for himself.

“Mihi mate,” Axel coos, tears of blood leaving a pink trail down his flushed cheeks. “Cor meum, mihi mate. You’ve made me so happy choosing me.”

“But…” My bottom lip trembles as the fight to flee leaves me. Doesn’t he understand what I’ve done?

“But nothing,mihi mate. I knew the moment I laid eyes on you that you were it for me. And this,” he floods our new-found bond with elation and love, “only solidifies it.”

A phone ringing from the direction of his discarded jeans breaks the tension of the terse moment, giving me a chance to wipe away the tears on my cheeks. It rings and rings before stopping and going to voicemail. But then, almost immediately, it starts right back up again.

“And that would be your demigod and my best friend. Either ready to congratulate us or try to kill me.” He shrugs a shoulder with a fangy grin. “Could go either way.”

I huff a watery laugh, knowing he’s right. But no matter how happy Axel is over our impromptu mating, my emotions are in turmoil, and I’m sure Luka is picking up on every single one of them.

“Are you going to pick it up?” I murmur, wincing as it starts up once again.

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