Page 81 of Quintus

“Just a scratch. Samantha has the other piece. She shoved it at me right before you flashed us.” The Alpha grunted as he shoved onto his feet.

“He’s hurt,” Gabriella said. She sensed something was wrong with the wolf but couldn’t tell how badly he’d been injured.

“I’m fine,” Hunter lied. He crossed the room and opened the door. “I’ll be back. I just need something to eat.”

“Are you sure you’re all right?” she asked.

“The Alpha will live. You, however, are losing blood,” Quintus said, his eyes narrowed in concern.

“I’ll be okay. Just let me shift.” Gabriella called on her beast. The animal crouched, refusing to transform. “I don’t understand. I just did it. What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know, but you need my blood,” Quintus told her.

“Where are we?” Gabriella asked. She glanced around the unfamiliar room. Flickers of light danced on its mirrored walls. A delicate art structure fabricated from blown glass and delicate crystals wove across the ceiling like a colorful web.

“Underground. My home in New Orleans has a chamber that I keep for emergencies. It’s completely sealed from the outside. Fully stocked with blood and food. We stay here until you and Hunter are well and we hear back from Samantha.”

Quintus dropped his fangs, his eyes locked on Gabriella. Her heart caught at the sight of his teeth. She went to reach for his face but struggled to move it, her arm paralyzed. “Something’s wrong. Something…I can’t feel my hands. Quintus. Help.” Her expression tensed in anxiety. Her lips moved but no sound was released.

Quintus bit into his forearm, and pressed his flesh to her mouth. “Drink.”

Gabriella’s heartbeat sounded in her ears as her body went limp, the poison taking effect. His blood rushed into her mouth, the iron-tanged essence coating her tongue. Unable to swallow and paralyzed, Gabriella’s eyes welled with tears.

Drink, Gabriella. The unspoken words echoed in her head. A drop of his blood dripped down her throat. Slowly, her mouth reanimated, allowing her to absorb the magick of her mate.

“That’s a girl,” Quintus said.

Gabriella moaned, her lips suckling, drawing a swallow. His magick began to flow through her, restoring her cells, healing her from the inside out. A prickling sensation teased her fingertips as her muscles came to life. With a groan, she reached for his arm and clutched to him.

Gabriella sensed his arousal. The sharing of blood, the exchange of magick and essence, flamed desire. Sucking harder, she draped her leg over his hip.

“Fuck…Gabby, now what are you doing?”

“Quintus.” Gabriella’s body lit on fire, his sweet blood bringing her to life. Everything dark in her life was erased, light blooming in her heart. Magick sparked through her cells, igniting passion. She lapped at his wrist and pressed her lips to his skin.

“Viktor’s gone,” he whispered.

“I’m so sorry.” Words evaded her. Nothing would bring his brother back tonight.

“You’re healed. Being with you is the only thing that makes me feel better.”

She looked up into his eyes, and sensed both sadness and desire. “We’ll find him. I promise,” Gabriella said, unsure of whether or not Viktor was alive. It didn’t matter. She’d spend the rest of her life helping him find his brother, so he could have closure.

“I need you,” he growled.

His mouth crushed onto hers, commanding her wolf to attention. His strong lips sucked and tasted hers, and she responded, matching his kiss.

Goddess, she loved this vampire. Love. It seemed impossible to fall for someone so quickly, yet his kiss, the gentle way he held her face, tasting her as if he’d been starved for centuries, was as real as the sun. He was hers and she’d save him the way he’d saved her.

Filled with his strength, she gently guided him onto his back and straddled him. Her dominance rose, and she trailed her lips from his, peppering kisses down his throat. She splayed his arms to the side, trailing her mouth along his collarbone. Her lips moved to his chest, and traced a circle with her tongue over his flat nipple.

“Gabby,” he breathed.

She released his hands, and reached for his shoulders. Ever so slowly, tasting and sampling, her lips grazed over the ridges of his abdomen. She raked her nails down his chest and placed a kiss to his hip as she settled between his legs. Mine. As she fumbled open his button and zipper, her eyes darted to Quintus, whose heated stare and curled lips told her he’d read her thoughts.

“Always,” he told her, lifting his hips as she tugged off his jeans.

“It’s time I take care of you.” Gabriella lowered her eyes in submission. This man understood her feral nature. He sought to tame her, and she’d willingly submit to his lessons.