Satisfied they were far enough away, he approached the frozen figure of the loudmouth leader. “Now, Akurn, let’s see what secrets you have for me.” His mouth watered before he sank his fangs into the man’s neck. The rush of Akurn blood not only replenished his dwindling strength, but brought with it the confirmation there was a traitor in their midst. Too bad the Akurn didn’t know who it was.
~Jelena~
Jelena stumbled and almost fell. Red-faced, she made sure no one saw. With a fist over her heart, she struggled to catch her breath. She let out a sigh when no one paid any attention to her. Well, hell. That’s what she got for not watching where she was going.
All she could see was Asu carrying the still form of Sychar. Her heart thundered, and not just because she stepped her pace up to join the rest of the group. Oh my Goddess, she was about to meet Sychar. In the flesh. The man she’d obsessed over since seeing several recorded vids of him speaking at ever-growing rallies.
By the time they reached the Nergal, Zamush stood at the doorway waiting for them.
The sudden release of tension between her shoulders made her breath catch. Her reaction wasn’t abnormal. She’d react the same way if they’d let anyone else stay behind. He was a valued colleague, after all.
As she got within reach of him, she noticed the rosy flush on his cheeks. He must’ve taken that Akurn leader’s blood. She couldn’t wait to hear if he got any new information.
“You good?” Qhasheik was the first to reach him.
Zamush gave him a curt nod.
The ship’s hatch opened and the boarding ramp lowered.
Without another word, the group rushed up, and the door slid closed behind them.
“Let’s put Sychar in a stasis pod to stabilize him until we can get him to a medic. Follow me.” Abiditan put a hand on Asu’s shoulder and led him and his precious cargo away.
Jelena moved to follow, but Zamush stood in the way. “I’ve got to...” She eyed the retreating trio as they disappeared into another doorway.
“You’re unusually pale, Jelena. Creating that wall of ice and the power you used after that had to drain you. You’re no good to anybody if you’re too weak to move.” He slid near and enveloped her in his warmth. “Take from me. No one needs to know.”
She clenched her aching stomach and looked around.
Qhasheik and Katsuki had already disappeared into the cockpit.
It was just her and Zamush in the corridor. “Are you sure? Did you get enough?” The beginnings of bloodlust swamped her. Her head pounded and her throat was dry. Her stomach squeezed in agony.
Take what the man offers, Jelena. He’s right about you becoming too weak. BoD admonished in an unusually quiet tone.
She caught Shther’s nod out of the corner of her eye.
Well, wasn’t she the lucky one to have the three of them gang up on her? But they were right. Spying an empty room behind Zamush, she grabbed his sleeve and pulled him into it.
The lights automatically clicked on.
“I promise I’ll be quick.” They were right about one thing. It would be stupid to meet Sychar in a weakened state. She had to be at her best when they met face-to-face.
“Take all you need.”
When she reached for his wrist, he pulled her close, tilting his head to expose his neck. “No. The fastest place is from here.” He leaned toward her for better access. “Unless you’d rather take from my upper thigh.” The last came out in a low, gravelly whisper.
Heat crept up her neck as her nipples hardened and became sensitive. The mere thought of taking from the cradle between his muscled legs made a lightning bolt of desire slam through her. Taking a deep breath to find some elusive calm, she shook her head. Freaking man had no right to smell so good.
He pulled her near until her lips nestled at the pulsating vein at his neck. “Take.”
Reason fled. She couldn’t think. Licking his exotic skin, she widened her mouth. A swift strike had her fangs piercing his tempting flesh. Ambrosia coated her tongue as she greedily took what he offered. Their combined moans announced their shared pleasure. When her headache receded, she reluctantly withdrew. After a quick swipe of her tongue over the wound, she stepped back with a frown. Once again, his recent memories were elusive and she couldn’t access them.
She peeked at Zamush.
He stood with his eyes closed. After deep breath, he opened them, and their gazes locked. Time stood still as they regarded one another.
“What are you two doing?”