Page 247 of Red Ruin

There’s no one at the wheel in his head, only instinct driving.

It’s not the instinct to bite and claim that raged when I met him on that ruined street. The instinct that was all about his needs and didn’t give a fuck about me.

Now, Vhex knows he’s a threat to me.

His instincts scream to stay away.

I’m special.

I’m worth protecting.

My stomach cartwheels.

“You won’t hurt me,” I say roughly. “Vhex. I need you.”

A pained noise rumbles up his throat. His figure blurs, and suddenly my hand is swallowed in his flaming grip.

The deep, pure satisfaction he gets from being at my side burns harder than his rampage.

For a perfect moment, I feel the beat of his boiling pulse.

Then the lich’s icy magic saws down my arm, trying to reach Vhex.

“Don’t fucking touch him,” I growl at the ball of energy eating through my chest.

In what world would I let him use my hand to possess my own Sentinel?

As I fight the growing decay, a different kind of chill curls up my calves. Out of nowhere, Remy’s claws find me. Shadow hands grip my hips from behind.

I’m hit with an empty wave of longing as Remy buries his face at my throat.

I teeter on the edge of overwhelmed—shadow and fire, pain and smoke.

The lich’s smug, cold power chokes down.

Every fiber I have fights to stop him ripping through my soul.

I can’t win on my own.

I can’t win just by gritting my teeth.

I need help.

I need to let Vhex and Remy in.

Relaxing feels like dying, but I slowly lower my walls. I tilt my head, giving Remy my throat as I reach for Vhex’s horn. “Join with me.”

Vhex and Remy may be out of their minds, but their souls havebeenmine.

They come when they’re called.

Their silks pour into me, strengthening my spirit. I draw their energy, damage and all. Their raw emotions firework between pain, confusion, and fear.

Even now, I can’t stop myself from soothing them.

I don’t want to stop.

With every stroke, their soul-silks curl. Our souls wrap tighter and tighter.

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