I step back, frightened, but there is nowhere to go. Thaddeus notices my movement, and something flips inside him, and I am pinned against the wall with his arms on either side of my head, his body impossibly close, his fangs mere inches from my face. Fight or flight kicks in, but I have nowhere to go and no way to fight him off. His fingertips trail down my neck, and his inhuman eyes watch my face.
Ryland comes busting through the door, and Thaddeus growls, warning him.
“Thaddeus,” Ryland says, and I can hear the alarm in his voice, making me more scared.
“Get out,” he growls, his head whips in Ryland’s direction.
Orion walks in behind him. “Let him try,” Orion says, grabbing his arm. My heart races as they walk out, leaving me with Thaddeus.
“You have no idea how intoxicating your scent is when you’re scared, Evelyn,” Thaddeus whispers.
My heart is thumping loudly in my chest at his words as he leans in, inhaling my scent. I feel his fangs brush against my skin, making me shiver.
“Thaddeus, please stop,” I stutter out of fear.
Thaddeus moves closer, pressing his entire body against me, and I feel him lick my neck, his fangs grazing my skin. I put my hand on his chest, trying to push him back.
“Just give me a minute. Don’t shove me away,” he whispers, and I can hear the desperation in his voice. The hunger makes me feel guilty, knowing he has been trapped in the house because of me.
I want to help him, and I don’t know if that makes me just stupid or suicidal. I move my head to the side, offering him my neck. He stops, stepping away from me, his eyes not leaving my neck.
“You don’t understand what you are offering, little one. I bite you; I will mark you,” he says as I watch his entire body shake as he fights for control.
“Will it hurt?” I ask, wondering if it will feel like Ryland’s bite.
Thaddeus’ eyes snap to mine, his fangs stop him from being able to close his mouth. His eyes flicker dangerously, and I feel the air thicken.
“Only if I make it hurt,” he says. The door is suddenly opening, and Orion and Ryland walk in. Thaddeus looks relieved.
“Thaddeus has trouble stopping. He just wanted to see if he could control himself,” Orion says, I can make them out through the frosted glass.
“Thaddeus, do you need help or not?” Orion asks. Thaddeus looks toward the door.
“He’s fine; he just wants to feed on me, right?” I ask, looking at Thaddeus.
I see his eyes dart to my neck, and a growl rips from him loudly, sounding louder from the tiled walls and the confined shower.
“I will open the door for you, Thaddeus,” Ryland says, but I move closer, all fear gone when I realize he doesn’t want to hurt me. As I move closer to him, blocking the door, his eyes never leave mine.
“Do it. They will rip me away if you go overboard, right?” I ask, as the door opens behind me, and I see Orion before he nods at me, reassuring me.
“Evelyn, you don’t have to do this. I can take him to town,” Orion says behind me.
“Does he kill them?” I ask, stuttering over the words.
They don’t say anything, and I feel my heartbeat pick up, knowing I am right. Ryland grips my arm, and Thaddeus growls, making goosebumps rise on my skin. This side of him is animalistic, and at the moment, I am prey. Thaddeus’ hand goes to my hip, tugging me to him and away from Ryland. I feel Ryland step into the shower behind me. Thaddeus’ eyes don’t leave me.
“Don’t make it hurt,” I tell him, and Thaddeus cocks his head to the side, observing me.
“You know once I bite you, I mark you, like Ryland did?” he asks.
“So do you plan on letting me go?” I ask.
“Never,” Thaddeus growls, and I shrug, stepping closer.
“Well, it will happen eventually then,” I tell him. His eyes darken, and he growls, ripping me to him.
I whimper when I feel his teeth sink into my neck, but then a different feeling wraps around me. I don’t know if Thaddeus or Orion is using that weird fog as I relax against him and feel his tongue lapping at my neck. Arousal washes over me as I feel the bond snap in place stronger, feel Ryland stronger, and feel Orion, but not as much. A moan escapes my lips, and my core pulsates, the feeling foreign, but I don’t push it away.
Thaddeus’ grip on me becomes tighter before he pushes me away at arm’s length, holding me there, his grip tight as he fights with himself. Reaching up, I place my hand on his face, and he leans into it. His grip loosens, and I watch as his fangs go away and his face goes back to normal, the black veins leave, and he no longer looks like the devil incarnate.
E
velyn
My head feels foggy from his bite, and I have a strong desire to sleep. As I sway on my feet, my eyes flutter closed. The last thing I remember is tingles spreading all over me as someone tries to steady me on my feet before I feel strong, warm arms wrap around me as I plunge into the darkness, my body succumbing to exhaustion.
I
know I am dreaming because I have been here before and know what happens next, yet I can’t pull myself out of the dream as I follow him toward the basement. I have three weeks, and I am officially free of this hell. They will age me out of the system. I can go out on my own, but the uneasy feeling of leaving Lana with this monster has been haunting me.
I tried twice to go to the police station, each time standing out the front, looking at the building that was supposed to offer protection, but would they offer protection from one of their own? He was a well-respected officer, the man with the perfect wife, perfect house, and perfect life.