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“I know, but it may harm her more,” Jax says.

“Fine, let’s go,” I snapped.

They have to run to keep up with me. Later, I can feel bad for leaving Bash with an irate Ava and a dead body, but right now, all I can concentrate on is keeping Serenity alive.

Every second is torture. I appreciate Jax’s willingness to break the law, speeding dangerously to make it in record time. By the time I make it to my door, I am on the verge of losing it. It took too long. What if she is too weak to make the transition?

I curse the security measures it takes to get in for the first time. Jax and Harmony stay out of my way as I fly up the stairs and place Serenity on my bed, but I feel them hovering behind me.

I steady my body and mind. I have to concentrate on the process that I have to do perfectly to save her. I’ve only done this twice. Those times, deep down, I wasn’t very invested in the outcome. This time, if I do something wrong or do not give her enough of my blood, she dies. If she dies, I will too. It will be difficult to end my life, but without her, I wouldn’t be able to go on.

“I have bags of blood in the fridge. Bring them to me,” I ask them.

“Of course,” Jax says, not wasting any time. I appreciate his sense of urgency. When this is over, I may have to be nicer to him.

I have to infuse her with my blood. I need a steady supply. It will complete the bond when I bite her, taking her blood, tying her to me forever. It is a balancing act between us, back and forth, sharing our life force. If it works, when it works, I will be able to feel her wherever she is. Her pain, fears, and emotions will become a part of me. When she wakes, I expect her rage at me for doing this will consume me.

Jax places the bags beside me on the bedside table and backs away.

“We will be downstairs. Call out if you need us,” he says and pulls Harmony towards the stairs. Her concerned gaze burns into me until she is out of sight.

I turn back to Serenity, take a deep breath, and begin. I can’t help but groan at the first taste of her blood. It floods me with warmth and life. I mark her neck first, purposely not healing it, showing the world that she is mine. Leaving my venom deep within it.

I move on. Over and over, I slide my fangs in. In return, l tear open my wrist, open her mouth and pour my blood down her throat, willing it to find a home inside her.

Hours slip by, repeating the process over and over again. I drink all the bags of blood except one. She may need it if she is too mad to drink from me.

Instinctively I know it is time to stop. I close my eyes and relish her presence inside my soul. It worked. So far, at least. Something could still go wrong, but I refuse the thought. In her own time, when our blood and my venom work through her system, the change will take hold fully. She will need me even more when the transition is complete.

For now, I have to clean her blood off my hands and clothes. When she wakes up, I don’t want the first thing she sees is her mate covered in blood. As I go through the motions of a shower and fresh clothes, I can’t help the satisfaction in my chest. She may hate me, but I have years to make it up to her. I’ll shower her with gifts and the comfort of safety and power. I will have to turn on the charm. I know it’s in there somewhere.

Instead of my usual clothes, I selected a pair of track pants and a black tank. I want her to be able to access my vein easily.

She hasn’t moved and shows no signs of waking soon when I walk out of the bathroom. I pass the bed and lean on the balcony rail to speak to my house guests. It’s weird having anyone else in my home.

“It is done. It may be a while before she is awake,” I say softly.

“We want to stay until she does,” Harmony replies just as softly.

“You may need us here as backup when she realizes what happened. Plus, she likes Harmony. She can be the voice of reason.” Jax grins. “I’m glad you saved her.”

“Yeah, she may not feel the same,” I say regretfully, my voice betraying my nervousness.

“You did what you had to do to save the woman that belongs to you.” Jax pulls Harmony under his arm. “I would have done the same.”

“She will forgive you. Just flash that sexy smile, and she’ll melt,” Harmony smiles when Jax growls. “Oh stop, I have eyes,” she admonishes and rolls her eyes.

“Make yourself at home. I’m going to sit with her,” I say. Those are words I never thought I would say about my sanctuary, but my world is changing, and I have to adapt.

I stand at the end of the bed, watching her chest rise and fall, grateful I made it to her in time. I get a towel from the bathroom and a clean shirt from my closet, pull up a chair beside the bed, and get to work.

It is a new experience for me to take care of anyone in this way. I certainly never did this for Bash. In fact, the moment he woke up, he punched me in the face. Not because he was angry at me for doing it—he asked me to—but he decided to try out his strength. Hitting me was the logical choice. I landed on my ass as he laughed in delight. He didn’t expect my fist to come at his face in retaliation. Good times.

A new vampire is not as weak as you would think. Their bodies are flooded with new sights and sounds. Feeling things for the first time. Hearing a car down the street can be overwhelming to their sensitive ears. The pounding of their heart and thousands of others within miles is like having a speaker at the highest volume attached to your shoulder. If they aren’t strong enough or don’t have someone to help them, they can go crazy. It takes time to gain the control to turn down the volume in your head. Most newly turned shut down, forcing every emotion deep within them.

I’ve done all I can do. Now I just have to wait.

I move my chair back and sit and watch her.