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“Not just one someone either— five of the fuckers came right in through the front door like they thought they owned the place.”

Serenai could see his big hands curling into fists and felt her heart skip a beat.

“What…what did you do?” she whispered.

“Killed them.” Brax’s voice was flat. “ It was the first time I’d ever fought multiple opponents at once but I had no trouble.

I was in love with my Mistress by that time, you see.

I was young enough and stupid enough that I’d allowed myself to feel deeply for her, even though I knew a high-ranking female like her could never love me back.

So I went into Rage for her and killed them all. ”

“Rage?” Serenai asked faintly.

“It’s a kind of berserker fury Kindred males go into when the female they love is being threatened or attacked,” he explained. “ And since my other half is Ryther —and they’re berserker fighters too, well…let’s just say it wasn’t a pretty sight. And my Mistress saw the whole fucking thing.”

Serenai remembered the mangled corpses of his opponents she’d seen in the ring at the Blood Circuit and her blood ran cold.

“Oh, no,” she whispered and drew away from him a little.

Brax looked down at her.

“See? This is why I didn’t want to tell you. Please don’t look at me like that, little Mistress . I would never hurt you or any female.”

The sincerity and hurt in his voice made Serenai feel bad for him.

“All right. I’m sorry,” she said softly, scooting closer again. “ So after you killed the men who invaded her home…?”

“My Mistress sold me,” he said flatly. “ She said she didn’t feel safe with me anymore, after ‘witnessing the brutality I was capable of.’” His voice was bitter. “ In fact, that’s why she sold me to the Blood Circuit —she didn’t think I belonged anywhere else but in the ring, fighting for my life.”

“But that’s horrible!” Serenai reached out to touch him and found his thigh was rock hard—all his muscles seemed to be tensed. Maybe she shouldn’t have asked him to share this story after all, but she’d felt like she had to know.

“It’s fine.” He barked a laugh that didn’t have any humor in it. “ I adapted. And in time, I was able to stop loving her…and to stop hating her.” He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, as though trying to push back a headache. “ Sorry . Like I said, it’s hard to talk about.”

“Of course it is. I’m sorry I asked you,” Serenai said contritely.

“Not, it’s fine. You have a right to know about my past.” He shook his head. “ Look , it’s getting late. Don’t you think you’d better get some sleep, little Mistress ?”

“Maybe…” Serenai yawned and found she was tired despite herself. It had been a long day filled with emotions and excitement.

But though she shifted in the bed and got her pillow positioned just right, she found she still couldn’t sleep. Just as her eyes were closing, she would remember that glowing, malevolent gaze staring at her from across the bed and then they were pop open again.

After some time of tossing and turning, Brax spoke again.

“What’s wrong, little one? You seem restless.”

“It’s just… I keep trying to drift off but then I think I see something or I remember those eyes and I wake up again,” Serenai told him. “ I wonder if…would you mind…” She hesitated.

“Would I mind what? Ask , little one,” he urged gently. “ Whatever it is, I’ll do it for you if I can.”

“I was just thinking that I’d feel safer if you were…if you were holding me,” Serenai said at last, her words coming out in a rush. “ I mean, I guess it probably isn’t proper but I just… I think it would help me sleep.”

“You’re certain you feel safe enough with me to let me hold you?” His deep voice sounded surprised. “ Even after what I told you?”

“Do you think because your old Mistress was frightened of you that I’m frightened too?” Serenai demanded, feeling put on the defensive. “ I saw you fight in the ring today— I saw what you did to those men. But I believe you when you say you won’t hurt me.”

“Well that’s…” He shook his head. “ I don’t know what to say.”

“Just say you’ll hold me.” Serenai hated the note of pleading that had crept into her voice. “ Or should I order you to hold me?” she asked, trying to make herself sound stronger and more imperious like the other Mistresses she’d seen talking to their bodyslaves.

“Mmm, you can certainly order me if you want to, Mistress .” A note of interest had crept into his voice.

“All right then— I order you to hold me,” Serenai said bossily. “ And keep me safe all night long.”

“As my Mistress wishes,” he growled softly. Lifting the covers, he slid under them with her and gathered Serenai to his broad chest.

At first it felt strange to be pressed against him. His body was so big and hard and muscular and most of all, so warm . It occurred to her that she’d never been this close to a male before—any male.

But after a moment when Brax didn’t do anything but hold her, she felt herself relaxing somewhat.

His warm, spicy scent both relaxed and excited her at the same time—if that made any sense.

It made her feel safe, but it also made her want to press her thighs together again.

Also , the forbidden tips of her breasts felt tight and achy—why was that?

“Feeling settled now, little one?” Brax asked and she could feel his words vibrating through her now that they were pressed together. She had her back to his front and his broad chest completely covered her.

“Yes, I … I think so.” Serenai wiggled to get more comfortable and felt something hard pressing against her bottom. “ Er , what’s that?” she asked, twitching her bottom again.

“Nothing you need to be concerned with.” Brax scooted his hips back some and she didn’t feel it anymore. “ No business of yours, little one.”

She wanted to protest that it was her business, but she suddenly felt sleepy again.

And now that she had the big half- Kindred’s arms wrapped around her, she felt safe enough to close her eyes.

She knew without asking that he would kill for her and would protect her with his life.

So if the red-eyed thing came at her again, he would keep her safe.

“There you go. Relax , little one.” His deep voice sounded almost tender this time. “ Just let yourself sleep. I’ll watch over you.”

“Thank…” Serenai yawned. “ You ,” she finished as her eyelids drifted closed.

“You’re welcome,” he murmured.

But almost before he finished, she was asleep.