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“Oh gods, I’m going to—” I lost the last word as he ripped himself from my throat with a cry and jammed into me so thoroughly stars exploded in my vision.

My limbs turned to liquid as he worked me down from what was probably the most incredible orgasm I’d ever had. He held me to him, supporting me as I shuddered with aftershocks of pleasure. I felt him walking us somewhere, and didn’t let go until he gently laid me on his enormous bed.

He climbed in, kicking off his pants and held himself above me, studying me like he was afraid I’d snap. I ran a finger over the red lining his lips. My blood. But instead of another panic attack, I found myself shivering with pleasure and filled with gratification at the knowledge that I’d saved him.

I could barely speak. I gave him a smile instead to show him how happy I was.

He seemed to relax a little and lowered his head to my neck, where he licked the spot that had been stinging slightly now that he drew attention to it. But the second he did that, it stopped. He rolled onto his back, and I turned to face him.

“Feeling better?” I asked and bit my bottom lip.

“I have no words that can describe the gift you’ve given me, Charlotte,” he said, pulling his hands down over his face. “All I want is to pleasure you the rest of the night. Unfortunately, I have a serious situation to deal with.”

“We have a situation.” I put a finger to his mouth before he could argue. “I’m not running into the lion’s den, don’t worry. But I think I can help. I helped you, didn’t I?”

“Very much,” he said. His eyes glowed blue, a shade lighter than his usual indigo. He clutched my hand to his chest, and I marveled at the warmth I felt.

“It’s my blood that’s making you warm,” I said, understanding. “It’s like a missing ingredient. When you have it, you’re alive. But it doesn’t last, and you don’t have enough to truly make a difference.”

“I could drain a crowded room and I still wouldn’t be human,” he said sadly.

“I didn’t say human. I said alive.” I pursed me lips. I’d been thinking about my findings in the lab. I needed a way to spontaneously multiply blood cells. “Now, call the general and warn the base about the situation. It’s either a distraction or an attempt to make people fear the vampires.”

“Or a clever way to cover the murder of a particular person,” Julian mused, sitting then standing so quickly I got a little nauseated.

The beauty of his naked body struck me with awe. Each muscle was defined, tight skin curving over each ridge and dip like a work of art. “I’m sorry, who would that be?” I asked, trying to stay on topic as he grabbed a shirt and pants from his closet.

“You happened to be visiting the mansion,” he said with a grimace then buttoned the blue shirt that matched his eyes.

I sat up, tugging at the dress that was uncomfortably askew. Somewhere in the front of Julian’s house were the remains of my best black lace underwear. I supposed it would contribute to the eclectic appeal.

“Why would someone want to kill me? I thought they wanted me for my powers? Even Mordock wants me to help him make his weapon deadlier.”

Julian sat on the edge of the bed again, reaching for my leg. “I don’t know. Maybe to prevent the others from getting ahold of you. Though that doesn’t feel right either.”

“Maybe it’s all in your head,” I said, standing and attempting to tame my hair so I didn’t go out with the freshly fucked look. I wished I could take a shower, but lives were at stake.

“Is there a way to speak to all the vampires so they’ll hear me? At once?”

“Like a magic bullhorn?” Julian teased, hair fixed and back to his put together self.

How dare he look so normal after mind-blowing sex.

He zipped into the other room and came back with a glass of orange juice and a pack of cookies. “Eat. Drink. I don’t want you to pass out when the adrenaline wears off completely.”

“You keep supplies for blood donors, I see.” I gulped the juice and tore open the cookies, unreasonably irritated that this was a regular practice for him, though of course it must have been to survive.

He held my free hand as I munched a cookie. I hadn’t eaten and I was starving.

“For the record, I don’t sleep with my donors. Nor do I take that much. Typically, I get permission, then glamour them to forget when I’m done.”

“Then why do you have supplies?” I pouted.

He blushed. My own blood brought color to his cheeks, and my mouth dropped open in response.

“I bought some when I realized it was you.”

That warm feeling filled my chest again and I cleared my throat. “Back to the magic bullhorn. If I can get to them, I can order them all to only drink with permission and not enough to harm. It worked on you, though I hadn’t meant to do it. Normally, I don’t like exerting that kind of power over others. It feels icky.”