Page 140 of Bleed

When I tilt my head back to look up at him, he’s both beautiful and terrifying. His eyes are so dark they’re nearly black behind the lenses of his glasses, his lips drawn back just enough to expose the sharp points of his descended fangs. Every muscle in his enormous body is coiled tight, like a spring ready to snap.

He looks fucking feral.

“She is mine.”

His voice is low and lethal, each word vibrating through me down to my bones.

Vincent’s smile falters.

I should probably object to being discussed like property. Under normal circumstances, I absolutely would– but right now, I couldn’t give less of a shit.

I sink more fully into Elliott’s hold, his arm tightening around me in response, anchoring me securely. For the first time since Vincent walked through the door, I manage to drag a full breath into my lungs.

Vincent’s gaze travels over Elliott, taking in the hulking frame wrapped around me, the exposed fangs, the unmistakable threat radiating from every inch of him.

“How touching,” he sneers.

“What do you want with her?” Elliott demands.

Vincent frowns, shaking his head. “That’s none of your concern.”

“She’s my source.” Elliott’s hand flexes against my stomach. “Which makes it very much my concern.”

Vincent gives me a once-over, his jaw working. “Leverage,” he states simply.

Elliott stiffens behind me. “Against whom?”

“The king.” Vincent tilts his head, gaze flicking up to Elliott. “His human is rather attached to her, is she not?”

Taylor.

I stare at Vincent, anger burning through the last remnants of my fear. “Oh, fuck you,” I snarl. “You think you can use me to get to her?”

The arm around my waist tightens. “Beatrix.”

“What?” I snap.

“Not now.”

I twist my head enough to shoot Elliott an offended look, but his focus remains on Vincent.

I glance back over to see his gaze flicking between us, something shifting behind his eyes. The smug amusement disappears, replaced by something cold and calculating before his attention settles squarely on Elliott.

“I challenge your claim.”

Oh, fuck.

I try not to flinch, but I fail– because I know what that means.

We’ve had this conversation before, about how a source can be challenged. A claim can be taken by force, and the human caught in the middle doesn’t get a fucking vote.

Elliott’s arms fall away from me, and for one awful second, panic takes hold. I stumble back, reaching for him, but he’s already moving, stepping in front of me and completely blocking Vincent from view. His arm reaches backward, palm finding my hip and guiding me farther away.

“No,” I whisper.

He keeps backing me up, putting more distance between me and Vincent.

“Eli…”