Page 29 of Sweet Nightmares
Jane’s vision blurred, and another tear streaked down her face. She was so mad that she was going to die before experiencing life, before enjoying sex and having her first orgasm. It was a stupid thought to have before death.
But death wasn’t rational.
If she could scream, she’d scream forhim. Draculei might have been a villain, but he washervillain. Her Nightmare.
Jane’s eyelids grew heavy, and she let them flutter shut. But it was then that she felt the magic in her veins fighting back. It bubbled in her blood, and a rush of air burst from her—she acted on instinct. She shoved against her husband’s chest.
The next thing she knew, the weight left her neck, and she fell limply to the floor.
She sucked in a slow, torturous breath and blinked. Did she do that? Was it her magic? Not quite. With the world tilted to the side, she watched as Nightmare plunged his thumb into her husband’s left eye.
Jane blinked again, wondering if that was what she had actually seen or if it was all a dream. But her vision cleared as Nightmare pulled his finger out of the eye socket and licked the blood from his nail before he looked into her husband’s only remaining eye and compelled him. “Do not move from this spot.”
Then, as fast as lightning, Nightmare’s hands were on her, inspecting her injuries. His gaze caught the wound on her head, and he leaned down and licked it, tasting her.
Jane trembled. Was he going to eat her? But just as the thought came, it was replaced by amazement. The wound was healing.
Did vampire saliva have healing properties?
“Breathe.” Nightmare’s voice was cloaked in shadows, the tone so villainous she flinched. But it was a command, and as he said it again, “Breathe,” she felt her lungs fill with air and a warm sensation coat her throat. He was healing her with his words.
Jane really shouldn’t have been surprised. He had taken away her drug high with a couple of words before. But she still was.
None of this was normal.
“You’re going to be okay.” Nightmare kissed the top of her head before he shifted his body and took in the wailing man beside them.
In a blink, he was on the man. Nightmare’s nails, which had turned into claws, pierced into her husband’s shoulders as a pained cry left his lips.
“You hurt something that belongs to me,” Nightmare growled. “No one hurts things that belong to me.”
Jane wanted to be insulted by the use ofthing—and she was—but she was also curious to see what Nightmare would do next. So, she lifted herself onto her palms, and with wobbly legs, she tried to get up in order to watch. So she could tower over her attacker for once.
But she was too weak.
Nightmare turned his gaze to her, and in a gentle tone, he said, “Stay down.”
She gave him a look that said,Is it a command?
He seemed to understand the unspoken question because he softly said, “No.”
Jane pinched her lips together. She couldn’t get herself to ask him for help—or truly speak to him. It had still been months since she’d deigned to talk to him. But he seemed to understand what she wanted—needed—and he stepped away from his prey to lift her up and help steady her.
Jane swallowed hard and tried to convey her thanks with her expression.
Nightmare cupped her head in his hands, and his silver eyes tore through every protection and wall she’d put into place. “You’re mine, little witch. You’re safe.” A sob rocked her shoulders, and he pulled her into his chest. “I will never let anything happen to you. Only I get to kill you, remember?”
She nodded into his chest, his masculine scent filling her senses. Cedar, chai, and musk. She listened for a heartbeat, butit never came. Nothing. Just an echoing emptiness. Jane wanted to knock on his chest and see if it was actually hollow. Maybe Vampire-Gods didn’t have hearts? Either way, it didn’t matter. She appreciated his comfort, especially when she knew he didn’t care about anyone.
Nightmare sat with her like that for a long moment. Nightmare rocked her body back and forth, and he sang a somber melody in an ancient, long-forgotten language. Jane closed her eyes, sank into his comfort, and curled into his body.
Eventually, he pulled away and asked, “Are you okay now?”
She nodded.
Nightmare turned back to his prey and smiled widely, his fangs sliding down. He leaned over and pierced into the flesh of her husband’s neck.
Jane’s breath hitched, fascinated. She’d never seen a vampire feed before, and it was… exhilarating. Jane wanted to watch as he drained every last drop of blood from her true monster, but Nightmare stopped. She didn’t know why, but she hated it. She wanted her husband gone. She wanted vengeance.
