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She wanted to glance around and see if Noah was safe, but she refused to look anywhere but the clearing where she knew the shifters would be coming through.Their two pursuers burst through the copse of trees and into the clearing and without hesitation, Noah shot one of them in the forehead, causing his brains to explode out from the back of his skull as the bullet expanded on exit.

Jade dropped onto the second shifter.She scurried from his back to his chest and pulled out the 9 mm that had bullets filled with Kai’s venom.She pressed the gun to the shifter’s chest and put two slugs into his heart.There was a gasp that sounded almost like a screech of pain and she vaulted from his chest and she landed on the ground.

With widened eyes, she noticed the shifter’s veins darkened as the venom spread from his chest, up his neck, and turned his eyes black.His fists were clutched against his side, and when she happened a glance down, inky splotches darkened his skin as all his blood turned black.He fell back where he lay, dead.

It took her a few minutes, and then, for good measure, she extended her claws and with a clean swipe, removed his head from his body.She watched in horror as his blood, now thick, oozed from his body and splatted onto the snow.

That was fucking disgusting.

Shaking out of her surprised stupor, she walked over to the shifter Noah shot and removed his head the same way.

“We should get back before they realize these two are missing and find us here.”

“Huh.Is that because of the vampire venom?”

“Yeah.Ghost will be excited that it’s effective, but I’ll be sure to show him exactly what it does.”

They picked up their packs and Jade found one of the perfume bottles she packed and broke the glass against the tree to hide more of their scent.The perfume would overwhelm their senses and hopefully throw them off track.

As they started their hike, Noah cleared his throat.“Why did you remove their heads?”

Jade glanced at him.“Didn’t Reaper tell you that immortals can regenerate?”

“No, I don’t think so.He and the others told me I have to sever the brain stem when I shoot them, but I don’t remember anything about regeneration.Seriously?”

“Remind me to punch Reaper for not telling you.Anyway, we can regenerate from gunshots and other wounds, but once our heads are detached, an immortal can no longer heal themselves.”

“How much damage can you take before regeneration fails?”

“Well, Reaper had been shot in the heart seven times with hollow point bullets and it killed him.Ara brought him back from the dead.Anything that doesn’t shred heart tissue isn’t fatal.You can shoot them in the head, even severing their brain stem, but they could regenerate.Most wounds will heal in a couple of hours, but more severe wounds, most immortals lose consciousness and will heal as they sleep.If it’s severe enough, get a hold of Ghost and have him send Ara.”

Noah grew quiet as they ate up the miles, the adrenaline still rushing through their veins from the takedown.She couldn’t call it a fight.And Jade knew they were getting close.

“Do you feel guilty for killing the immortals?”Noah’s question was quiet, but carried to her.

“No.We’re just like humans.Some want peaceful lives without conflict, and others seek power and control over others.Most likely, they were greedy and vicious as humans, and when they were turned, every bad trait multiplied until they thought nothing of killing, human or immortal.I have no problem killing, if it’s for the greater good.”

Noah chuckled.“You know, you’re sexy as hell when you go badass.”

A burst of laughter escaped her throat.“Are you flirting with me, Mr. Hale?”

He nodded.“But I’m also trying to distract you from the fight.You still seem keyed up.”

She clenched her fists against her sides.“I felt such a rush of disgust when the bear shifter caught sight of you, and I think I let the rage take over for a moment.I’m trying to rein it back in.I don’t want to run into anyone else.I’m feeling very protective of you right now.”

Her breath caught in her throat when Noah wrapped his arm around her lower back and placed his hand on her hip.Jade watched with wide eyes as Noah came closer and her breath caught in her throat.He stopped several inches from her lips, but his blue eyes sparked with desire and she almost moaned aloud when she thought about what his lips felt like pressed against hers.

Jade’s gaze dropped to Noah’s lips and she felt his other arm slip around her back and he opened his large hands on her back.She forced her eyes up and met his gaze and sucked in a breath at the desire that shone through.Desire for her.

“Can I kiss you?”

“Yes,” she breathed.

Jade felt the same skitter of electricity in her veins, but this time, her blood turned to molten lava when his tongue traced her lips, getting her to open for him, before he delved inside, tasting her and moaning, asking her to taste him back.

She lost herself in the sensations, not holding back and moaning into Noah’s mouth as his hands opened over her back and rubbed his thumbs along her spine, sending shivers throughout her untried body.

Without breaking the kiss, she stepped forward and clutched at Noah’s hips, bringing him closer while being careful of her strength.The last thing she wanted was to hurt him because she lost control.Being this close to him, feeling his warmth and savoring his scent, had her moaning into his mouth.