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“Hurts.” She squeezed her eyes shut, and a single tear slid down her cheek.

Something inside of him softened at the sight. He brushed the tear from her jaw. “I know it hurts. I’m here to help you.”

“Help me? You don’t even like me. Where’s…” She frowned, staring at him for a long moment as though she struggled to focus. Then her glassy eyes cleared, widening with panic. “They shot Liam.”

She stirred, attempting to rise, and Jericho planted his hand against her chest. “Stay down, or you’ll injure yourself further.”

That single burst of energy must have depleted the last of her reserves. She sank into the sofa, eyes sliding closed.

“Hey. Stay with me,” he ordered in a firm voice. “If you want to survive this, you’ll need to feed from me.”

“Not from you. Won’t work.” She screwed up her face.

Her refusal stabbed at his darker half. His Chosen rejected his blood. “Trust me,” he said, his voice a low growl. “It will work. I don’t have time to explain.”

“By the gods, Alex. Do as the man says,” Gavin snapped. Taking his life in his hands, the demon dared to reach around Jericho, grabbing her chin. “Look at me. Clock’s ticking, love. You want to live long enough to see Liam again, you’ll accept Jericho’s blood.”

“Fingers hot,” she complained with a wiggle of her chin.

Gavin released her with a snarl, throwing his hands up and stepping back. “Fine. We’ll pry open your fucking jaw and see it done.”

“Asshole,” Alex groaned. “Fine. I’ll do it.”

Alex’s agreement eased the pressure in Jericho’s chest. He wasn’t above forcing her to keep his promise to Liam.

He drew a shuddering breath. Once she’d taken his blood, every part of this infuriating female would become his to command. His to protect. While his mind rebelled, his instincts slammed against his skull, urging him to hurry. He shoved his doubts aside, narrowing his focus to the life he held in his hands. He bit his wrist and pressed the wound to her mouth. She furrowed her brow as though she would refuse, then her lips softened—and she swallowed.

Jericho’s essence flowed through her, flushing her cheeks, warming her body, changing his Chosen for him and him alone. Alex’s muscles clenched, and she arched her back, full lips parting with a moan.

Her soft exhale fanned his skin, and her eyes drifted closed.

Jericho eyed the slim column of her throat. The power of the bond sealed his previous bite, leaving a mark that would brand her as his Chosen.

He dragged his eyes away, denying his primal half, denying himself the pleasure a vampire found in claiming a Chosen. There was no pleasure in marking Liam’s female.

Again, she slipped into unconsciousness, and he withdrew his wrist. She hadn’t taken nearly enough, just enough to get rid of him, but it was better than nothing.

He sank back on his heels, scanning her wounds. Already, the blood seeping from her shoulder slowed. Her heart pulsed a steady rhythm, lines of pain vanishing from her expression.

In time, his blood would heal her injuries. Given her reaction to him so far, he didn’t look forward to explaining things when she woke.

Six

An annoying soundroused Alex from a restless sleep. The groaning grew louder, rumbling from her own lips.Damn. That’s me making that noise.

Her body ached like she’d just completed her favorite Tae Bo workout video. Or at least how she imagined it would feel—if she didn’t watch the hunky instructor sweat from the comfort of her couch with a bowl of popcorn in her lap.

She rubbed her throbbing shoulder and encountered a large bandage. That’s right. She’d been shot. Something dragged across her chest, tugging the skin on the back of her hand.

“Easy there, don’t want to pull your IV out just yet.”

Her eyes snapped open, widening on the man beside her bed. He studied her in a clinical way, clipboard tucked beneath his arm.

Next to him was an earthy-looking woman with two brunette braids resting over her shoulders. She stood with her hands tucked into the pockets of her lab coat, sympathy stamped on her freckled face.

A quick glance around the room confirmed Alex hadnoidea where she was or how she got there. She took inventory of the beige walls, soft lighting, and scattered medical equipment.Some sort of high-end medical facility?

“Who…?” she croaked.