Page 31

Against all logic, a hot wave of lust rolled through my body. My nipples tightened until they ached. My pussy clenched around nothing.

I looked down at my body not even understanding what was happening to me.

A deep groan sounded on the other side of the door.

“You’re going into heat. That bite is preparing your body for me, and once you’re fully in heat. . .you’ll need me more than you know.”

The door boomed.

I trembled.

The protective powder erupted.

Crimson light poured beneath the door and spread across the floor.

And then in seconds, the wood cracked around the lock.

“Yoichi, don’t.” The words left my mouth instead of entering his mind.

Then the door slowly opened. Only an inch. A large hand curled around its edge.

Oh God.

The poud vodou attacked him.

Red fire raced across his fingers.

His skin blistered instantly.

The flesh swelled, split, and peeled back from his knuckles. Smoke rose from his hand. The bitter stench of burned skin filled the room.

I covered my mouth. “Jesus Christ.”

Still. . .Yoichi pushed the door open wider.

The protection climbed his wrist.

Golden-brown skin blackened. Cracks opened along his forearm and glowed red beneath the surface. Blood ran between the ruptures, struck the powder at the threshold, and hissed.

If he’d been human, he would be dead.

I shook my head. The burning will just get worse.

“I know.”

Then stop pushing.

“I could never leave you, little witch.”

His ruined fingers tightened around the door. The wood groaned. Muscles flexed in his forearm as he forced the opening wider.

The protective fire consumed him with every inch. His flesh blistered, burst, and charred. Blackened pieces slid from his hand and fell onto the wooden floor.

Yet, he did not scream or retreat.

Goddamn he’s strong.

Fear slipped beneath my ribs.