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“What the fuck was that?” Coal limps in, one of his wings torn almost off.

Valen spins, his gaze going to my neck. He uses a fang to rip open his wrist, and he swipes his blood across the wound. “Drink.” He presses it to my mouth, and I take a few swallows. When I pull away, he forces me to take more until my body goes warm and my blood hums with awareness.

“What did you do?” Valen asks, his hands cupping my face. “The injection. Tell me quickly.”

“It’s a combination of proteins used in cells?—”

Juno groans.

“Holy fuck. She’s alive,” Coal says.

I try to push past Valen to get to Juno.

“No.” Valen holds me still. “You made this?”

“Yes. In the lab.” I grip his wrists. “I need to help Juno!”

“You know the formula for it?” he insists. “How to make it?”

“Yes!” I struggle against him.

“My mate, you truly are brilliant,” he says, awe in his voice.

The entire building shakes, a loud boom rattling the glass in the windows. Outside the world goes black, wind whistling along the eaves and debris smashing against the walls.

“He’s here,” Coal intones.

“Who’s here?” I ask.

“Gregor.” Valen looks at Coal. “Can you fly her?”

Coal looks over his shoulder at his ruined wing. “No.”

“Then leave now while you still can.” Valen turns back to me. “If he finds you here, you’redead.” He says the words as if it’s acid on his tongue.

Coal gives me a sad look, then disappears into the Oval Office.

The building shakes again, and a wailing shriek invades my mind. I cover my ears, my head pounding from the force of it.

“Gregor knows his heir is dust. He felt the connection sever. He will eviscerate anyone who had a hand in it.” Valen’s eyes are stark. “You have to trust me, Georgia.”

“What?” I still try to get past him, to help Juno.

“Be still, my Blood,” he whispers.

I stop moving. It’s as if my limbs are stuck in glue. I stare at him, my disbelief at him using his power on me changing over to anger. I would tell him to go fuck himself and let me go, but my mouth won’t move.

“If Gregor discovers you did this—if he discovers you have this power—” He stops, and I could swear fear passes over his face. Fear for me. “You must trust me.” He kisses me, his lips feverish and wild against mine. Then he tears his wrist open again and puts it to my mouth.

First, he says, “Drink.”

I do.

I have to.

I can’t refuse him no matter how hard I try.

Then, with a gentleness to his voice that breaks my heart, he says, “Forget.”

* * *