Page 87 of The Vampire's Redemption

“As if you can.”

She would not let up unless he made her. With those sabers, she would cut up her challengers like paper dolls. Anyone weaker than Felix would’ve already lost their head to those sharp swords.

“You think I need your protection? Think again.”

Gabby leaped into the air, her body twisting with the grace of a figure skater. Felix was mesmerized by her perfect movement, the balance and strength it took her to spin to the side. The twin blades joined. They twisted so fast they looked to be one and drilled against his raised sword.

The force of her drive drove him back a step. Felix gritted his teeth and stood his ground. If he fell, it was over. His legs and shoulder muscles strained as he pushed back.

The vampire within hissed at the hint of real danger. She wouldn’t kill him. The thought didn’t comfort him. He didn’t want to be skewered through the chest, either.

Been there. Done that. Not an experience he wished to repeat.

The force suddenly vanished. Shit. Too late. Felix fell forward. Gabby rolled under him and slammed her feet into his stomach. Agony exploded. His breath burst from his lungs.

He curled his legs and turned in midair, landing on his feet. Gabby was there, sword tip at his throat, arrogant disdain bracketing her lips. “Is this all there is to my mate? No wonder Armando killed me.”

He knew what she was doing.

It was a trap.

His blood was hot, the vampire feral with the scent of danger and violence.

The reminder of his worst failure stared him in the face.

The defiance in her eyes. The same sky-blue as Armando.

Pain and wrath and resentment broke through the dam he’d built. Power streamed out of him. She staggered from the force of it.

His hand snapped up and hit her wrist like a rock. The saber dropped. Gabby leaped back, her expression wary.

“Now that is the Lord Felix I know.”

A red sheen came over his vision. Death. All he saw was death. Her blood forming a pool under her crumpled body. Turning cold. So cold.

Her heart stopping. Her light blinking out forever.

Felix charged. His sword was an extension of his hand as he pummeled her. Fast as a bullet, it crushed her defenses. Now she danced and dodged and ducked across the field.

She said something, the words lost in the torrent of rage and anguish and guilt inside him. Slash. Swing. Parry. Block. He hadn’t protected her.

His mate. His light. He’d failed her.

Something warm and bright fought against the swirling darkness. The emotions he’d dammed up for centuries drove him, pulsing out of him in unrelenting waves. It drove his sword. Drove his body. Drove his arms.

Death. Death all around him. He had to keep fighting. If he stopped, they’d get to her. She’d die again.

He refused to let it happen again.

Felix, it is not your fault.

Sunlight broke through the blackness. Blindingly bright. Felix slowed. Hesitated.No. Can’t stop.The shadows swarmed her light, refusing to give in.

She was gone.

I am alive. You saved me.

The light flared golden, beating back the darkness. Its glowing tendrils attempted to pierce into the deepest part of his soul.