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“Damn.” She shifted position and shoved her wrist beneath his nose. “You’ve got to feed. Don’t worry, I have plenty. I’ve been making extra.” She really was a blood rose.
She could hear him breathe deeply. His fangs struck so fast she didn’t have time to react. He was drinking heavily which in turn increased her own level of fatigue. But after only twenty seconds at most, he swiped the wounds with his tongue then rose to his feet sufficiently renewed to continue.
“Let’s go.”
She levitated with him, more determined than ever, but she felt like someone had pulled the plug. She struggled to keep up with him. But if he was willing to go into battle, so was she.
As before, he chose a different route. This time he came in from the south, levitating up and over the rooftops. Only one pair was in the street and didn’t seem all that motivated. The female, a small troll, flew in tight circles around her vampire mate. She, too, had yellow eyes and dark lips.
Because the pair was down in the street, the troll’s shriek-like cries sent fear piercing Holly’s heart. She knew it was a battle technique used by every fae and human culture in both worlds. Making noise to terrify the enemy always had an effect.
Except on Rez. All she felt from him was a steadiness of purpose that kept Holly on course as well. She levitated a few feet behind him.
This is it, Holly.
I’m here. I’m with you.
As before, she felt his battle energy winding up. It wasn’t as strong as last time. Would it be enough to take out the most vicious-looking vampire she’d ever seen?
Not good. Rez’s voice hit her mind.
What?
This one is close to mastyr status.
Can you take him?
I don’t know.
Rez’s uncertainty should have sent her into panic mode. But that’s not what happened.
Instead, her fae instincts kicked in and she levitated straight up behind him. She then planted her hand on the center of his back and let her power flow. Only, it wasn’t her healing energy. This was something new. Unexpected.
She felt his chest expand. Holly, what are you doing?
I … I have no idea. I’m going with my gut. Though I think what you’re feeling comes from the part of me that’s a blood rose.
It’s like you’ve plugged into a new power source.
Her gaze became fixed on the vampire below. Take him.
Rez levitated away from her and flipped in the air so that he dove toward the vampire. His battle energy fired up at the same time, hands and arms outstretched.
The bonded, near-mastyr-level vampire looked up and bared his fangs. The troll, already in flight, banked then headed toward Rez.
He fired a quick blast of energy at the troll-wraith and sent her into a spin. She caught herself before slamming into the nearby stone wall of the bakery, then flew back toward her mate.
At the same time, Rez opened fire on the vampire. Holly could tell he was giving everything he could, but it still wasn’t enough.
Once more, she flew toward him and put her hands on his back. She let the same blood rose vibration flow. Rez’s output increased and she watched as the vampire’s red Invictus battle energy began to falter and recede against the blue fire coming from Rex’s hands and arms.
The vampire’s eyes widened, his nostrils flared and he roared, but to no avail. Holly’s support of Rez’s battle power created enough force to overwhelm the vampire. He suddenly flew backward, hitting the building behind him, chest smoking. The troll flew to her mate and landed beside him. She slumped over his body, her eyes rolling in her head. Mated pairs often died together if the other suffered a mortal wound.
Rez began a slow descent to the street. Holly tracked with him. Five Invictus pairs lay dead or dying.
His levitation wobbled. He seemed to have a destination in mind as he passed above the battlefield and landed on the cobbled sidewalk near the door to the bakery. He dropped down heavily to the sidewalk, face down with his head on his forearm.
Holly wasn’t in much better shape. But she managed to land near him and not fall. She eased herself next to the wall and slid to sit beside him. She scooted close and tugged on his arm. “If you can manage it, Rez, you can rest your head on my lap while you recover.”
