As if to emphasize his words, another impact shook the bunker and dust drifted down from the ceiling.
Cassandra winced and looked upward.
“I vote for leaving.”
“I second that,”Severinsaid shortly.
He went to the opposite wall and pulled open the weapons locker.Therewasn’t much left—two plasma pistols, one charge baton, a small packet of flash mines, andRavik’sheavy shock blade, which had been cleaned and stored after his last patrol.Severinhanded the shock blade toRavik, who took it with the immediate comfort of a warrior receiving a familiar weapon.
Some of the tightness leftSeverin’schest when he sawRavik’sgrip settle around the hilt—no matter how hazy theBeastKindred’sthought patterns became, his warrior’s instincts were still intact.
Cassandra eyed the remaining weapons in the locker
“What doIget?”
Ravik frowned at once.
‘“You stay behind us, baby.We’llwatch out for you.”
“Obviously,I’llstay behind you,” she said impatiently.“Butif something gets past you two giant walls of muscle,I’dlike to do more than just scream and wave my arms.”
Severin picked up the charge baton and activated it briefly.Blueenergy crackled along the short rod, lighting the lab for half a second.Heshowed it toCassandra.
“This will stun aVisskousInfectedat close range if you strike the neck, temple, or mouth.Itwon’t kill, but it may give you enough time to get away.”
Ravik looked like he wanted to object butSeverinmet his gaze and dared him to try.
After a second,Raviklooked away with a growl.
“Fine.Butshe stays between us.”
“Agreed,”Severinsaid.HehandedCassandrathe baton and caught her fingers lingering against his for half a second longer than necessary.
Her bite wound glowed faintly under her skin andSeverin’sstomach dropped.
“Cassandra,” he said quietly.
“I know.”Shelooked down at her arm and swallowed.“Itstarted again when the lights went out.”
Of course it had.Fear, adrenaline,Ravik’stension, his own altered scent—any or all of it might be feeding the viral pathway again.Theglow was not as bright as before, but it was there—pulsing gently beneath her skin like a warning he could not afford to ignore.
Ravik saw it too, and his expression went dark.
“Bite her,” he said abruptly.
Cassandra frowned.
“Excuse me?”
Ravik’s jaw worked.
“You said your bite can cure.SobiteCassie.”
Severin froze and a bitter laugh nearly escaped him, but he swallowed it down.OfcourseRavikwas willing to have him biteCassandra.Ofcourse he could see the medical necessity there, where the act was intimate but acceptable because she was female andSeverinwasBloodKindred.Hisobjection was not to the cure itself, not really.Itwas to the thought ofSeverin’sfangs in him.
“No,”Severinsaid shortly.
Ravik’s eyes flashed.
