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I t was not supposed to be like this. My bite was always hers at the moment of her choosing, but not to save her life.

Because this choice is no choice. It is not a claiming.

But she will live.

What happens after, I don’t know.

But she will live.

My heart pounds out a slow beat, one which matches the ebbing of her life-force. Keeping Kerra safe was what I was supposed to do.

But keeping her alive is everything. I do not care what I become after this, providing Kerra is in my world.

I turn around her as surely as a planet orbits its sun.

Her hand manages to clutch at me, pulling my head down to her.

“I want you, Darax. All of you,” she rasps, her voice nearly gone. “I want to be with you forever.”

My fangs extend, my venom dripping from them as I rip open her clothing to get to her skin. Hunger rises within me, a need I didn’t know I had.

Kerra belongs to me. Kerra will not die.

She is mine.

As my fangs sink into her flesh, the venom flowing, mixing with her blood, going deeper and deeper, I taste her entirely. She is sweet. So sweet, I’m not sure I ever want to let her go.

There has to be an end to my venom, but not yet. I haven’t given her enough.

I have to give until there is nothing left, until my claim is complete.

“Darax.” I hear the voice but I can’t stop. “Darax.”

I can’t stop. There are hands on my body, but I attempt to flick them away.

“Darax, you’re done,” someone growls. “She is claimed.”

And as I lift my head, I see Kerra’s eyes flutter open once more.

Which is when mine close and finally my fangs relax my grip on her.