Page 71 of The Vampire's Redemption

Her eyes snapped open. She leaped out of bed. “NO!”

Rage and resentment and centuries of pent-up fear won against dizzying desire. As Felix sat up, she took in his wide shoulders, the muscular chest dusted with dark hair, all that golden skin disappearing down the sheet.

She wanted to jump back in bed, but the heartbreaking agony from the memory dream stayed her.

“Leave,” she ordered, her voice deepened as the vampire rose to the surface.

“Tesoro mio.” His brow furrowed with confusion; Felix made to come closer.

“Leave!” Her vision reddened. Her nails elongated to claws. She balanced on the balls of her feet, ready to defend herself.

When she sensed him in her mind, she strengthened her mental walls until they were as impenetrable as the walls of his castle. His expression shuttered. For a second, she thought she’d have to kick him out with force.

She welcomed the chance for bloodshed.

Too long, she’d held back too long. She’d thought she could wait him out until the Gathering was over, when she should’ve clawed him to shreds at the first chance she had.

She would not return to that prison.

He vanished in another heartbeat. Just like that. No shouting. No attempts at persuasion or using any of his power on her.

The adrenaline left her a few seconds later. Her legs gave out, and she crumpled to the ground. A sob wrenched out of her.

What had she done? She’d let him feed from her. Begged him.

And she’d almost drank from him. She had almost given him everything. Again.

If she’d taken his blood, his control over her would be absolute. It would be impossible to keep him out of her mind. Impossible to separate her needs from his.

The mating bond’s glow was already brighter than it had been. Sections where it had been frayed before, where it had been a thin thread, had begun repairing itself. Not quite back to the thick rope it should be when fully reformed, but halfway there.

Even though she’d shored up the walls to block him, she still sensed him like a flashing beacon on a stormy night. His bitterness. His frustration. His despair.

Or was it hers?

The tears wouldn’t stop. Sobs shuddered through her as the past caught up with the present. He’d locked her up again and again, breaking her heart each time with his refusal to accept her vampire nature, until her love for him had transformed into fear and hate.

How could she have forgotten?

Gabby took a deep breath and gathered the memories to shield herself. She shouldn’t have agreed to room with Felix, should have kept her distance until Alistair broke the bond.

Would Alistair still do it? He’d only said it would hurt more if they fed from one another, but not impossible.

A polite mental knock against her walls. Not Felix.

Yes?She opened a tiny hole in her defenses. In her effort to block Felix, she’d blocked everyone else as well.

Nikolas’ calming presence swept through her, allowing her to think past her turbulent emotions.Ahmed and I are ready to leave. Will you be joining us?

Maria. Another squeeze in her chest. She didn’t have time to mope when her friend was missing.

Yes. I will be down shortly.

Gabby picked herself up from the floor and trudged to the shower. The cold spray jolted her out of her stupor. She finished cleaning in record time as her mind focused.

Find Maria.

While also keeping Felix at arm’s length. With the recent cruel reminder of the past, it shouldn’t be a problem.