Page 44 of Donovan

His fangs.

I wasn’t surprised. She’d seen him in his most monstrous state, fangs bared, eyes dark with hunger.

It didn’t matter that he’d been fighting for her. He was still something to fear.

“Hey,” I said softly, crouching in front of her. I kept my movements slow, careful, as I reached for the cup of water I’d set on the table. “You’re safe here. No one’s going to hurt you.”

She barely acknowledged me, her gaze locked onto Declan like she was trying to keep track of his movements.

Declan stood stiffly by the counter, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. But I knew him well enough to see the tension in his posture.

He didn’t like this. Didn’t like the reminder of what people saw when they looked at him now.

“Here,” I coaxed, gently nudging the cup toward her. “You should drink something.”

Her fingers trembled as she reached for it, but she didn’t pull away. Good. Progress.

She took a small sip, her throat working as she swallowed. I let the silence settle, gave her a moment to breathe.

Finally, she rasped out, “What…what was that?”

I didn’t have to ask what she meant.

I glanced at Declan. He was watching her carefully, still as stone, his sharp features unreadable.

I knew he wanted to step away, maybe even leave the room entirely, but that wouldn’t help.

“That was a rabid vampire,” I answered for him. “You saw how it attacked without reason, without hesitation. It’s not like—” I hesitated.Not like him.

She swallowed hard, looking at Declan. “But he’s a vampire.”

“He’s not like that.” My voice was firmer now, leaving no room for doubt.

She stared at me, her breath coming faster, like she was trying to decide whether or not to believe me.

I reached for her hand, slow enough that she could pull away if she wanted. She didn’t.

“What’s your name?” I asked gently.

She hesitated, then whispered, “Lena.”

“Lena.” I repeated it. “I know you’re scared. I would be too. But you have my word. Declan isn’t going to hurt you.”

She swallowed, her fingers tightening around the cup. “You trust him?”

“With my life,” I said without hesitation.

Declan tensed, but I didn’t look at him.

Lena exhaled shakily, looking between us. I could see the war in her eyes. Fear versus reason. And then, slowly, reason won.

She nodded, just barely, and took another sip of water. I let out a quiet breath of relief.

We weren’t in the clear yet, but at least she wasn’t looking at Declan like he was going to lunge at her throat anymore. It was a start.

Still, Lena’s hands trembled as she clutched the warm cup between them, her knuckles white against the ceramic.

She looked better than when we first found her. Her breathing had steadied, and some of the wild panic had faded from her eyes, but she was still shaken, still coiled tight with fear.