Page 120 of Daman

My blood ran cold as the answer slammed into me.Hypnosis.

Higher-level vampires had the ability to control a person’s mind once drinking their blood, but the power wasn’t exclusive to their kind. Anyone skilled in blood magic could do it.

Asa tore from Warrin’s neck, blood running down his chin, and leaned forward to speak in his ear, “Do you see that man?”

Warrin’s head lolled to the side, and he snapped it back in place, blinking at me. His eyes were glazed over, and he swayed a bit. “Yes.”

“Be a doll and bring me his head.”

***

The blue eyes I’d stared into so many times, while laughing, while pinned against the wall and being railed into oblivion, exuded nothing but hatred.

“War?”

Phoenix placed a hand on Asa’s shoulder, and they disappeared. To find and kill Gusion? More than likely. Asa was using Warrin as a distraction. I didn’t have the strength to care. Not when the man I loved glared like he hated me.

Warrin charged at me, no hesitation. He was a mountain of muscle and raw aggression, and when his large body collided with mine, it knocked the breath from my lungs. I rolled when I hit the snow and sprung back to my feet. His fist came at my head, and I blocked it with my wing.

“What the fuck are we supposed to do now?” Bellamy asked.

“You need to help the others.” I dashed to the side to avoid another hit.

“And leave you to deal with your psychotic husband? I don’t think so.” Bellamy readied his sword.

“Don’t you fucking hurt him, Bell!” I then faced Warrin. “Stop. This isn’t you.”

He answered me with a punch to the chest. I flew backward and stopped myself from hitting the ground by catching myself in the air. Warrin grabbed my wing and flung me to the snow anyway.

I wondered once how it would be to go up against him in a fight. I just didn’t think it would be likethis.

Using both legs, I kicked him away from me and jumped back up. When I lifted into the air, he grabbed my ankle and tugged me back down. He tackled me.

Warrin’s claws dug into my skin as he held me down by the throat, his large body pressing me into the snow.

“You’re under his spell,” I said, gasping. “Goddammit, snap out of it.”

“Asa wants your head.” Warrin’s voice lacked all emotion. He sounded cold. Deadly. “I’m going to give it to him.”

And then he grabbed my sword.

Tears stung my eyes. The celestial steel in my weapon would hurt me as if I were mortal. It would kill me. I thrashed around and tried to knock him off me.

Bellamy crashed into Warrin to shove him away, but Warrin didn’t move. He didn’t pay any attention to my brother either. His focus was solely on me. Just as it had always been, I guess.

Warrin pressed the cold steel of the blade to my throat. That’s when I noticed the tremble in his body. Something changed in his eyes too. They were no longer filled with hatred. They glistened, as if he were holding back tears.

“Stop. Me,” Warrin said through gritted teeth. “Please.”

I caressed his jaw, a tear slipping from the corner of my eye. His face was so close to mine, his breath tickling my lips.

I kissed him.

Warrin whimpered and held the blade closer, the metal digging into my skin. And then it fell away. He kissed me deeper, fingers threading through my hair.

“I’m so sorry,” he murmured between kisses.

“Not to interrupt you lovebirds, but the battle’s not over until the long-haired dickwad with Daddy issues sings.” Bellamy sheathed his sword. “Or whatever the saying is.”