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Blane s eyes went from her arm to her face.
What?
I can t drink from you now.
Oh no. Her heart felt like someone had ripped it right in two. There would be no more
nights of feeding from each other. She was poison to him now. He would be feeding from other
people, just as he had before.
Other women.
I m sorry, Blane whispered. I don t want it to be this way.
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She nodded and looked down.
This doesn t have to be sad. He pulled her into his arms. I can drink the bagged stuff.
No. Christiana tried to keep her voice steady. It tastes horrible. You need to do what
you did before me.
Blane kissed the side of her face. I wouldn t want you drinking from other men, so I
don t think so. We ll deal with things the way they are. I ll just consider it a special diet.
She laughed a little. Slim-Fast for vampires.
Guess so.
I just don t see how it can work.
Don t worry about it right now. He pulled his phone from his pocket. I ll get J to bring
over some blood, and we ll work on your control.
* * * *
They d tried distance and ignoring their bond, but she could still control the change.
Through Blane s sacrifice and her superior bloodline, it seemed her immune system had beaten
back the strongest of what made the agents into wolves. She d managed to master that little part
of her that had still turned wolf, and it didn t control her. Elena s belief had been that Vincenzo
and whoever else had become hybrids had wanted the change which was why they were so
completely turned.
This last test was Michael s demand. Before she was allowed in the house, they had to
know that even under the strongest duress, she could control the change.
Ready? Jonas stood across from her among the tall pines in the small forest the cosca
had converged in. He wore only a pair of jeans and a black shirt, but didn t seem worried. After
hearing the stories of Luciano s fighting abilities, she could understand why.
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I guess, she sighed. If she failed, there would be no warm welcome for her at Michael s
home. Blane would have to choose between living with her and his family. It wasn t fair.
Don t hurt her, J. I mean it. Blane stood yards away with Gregory, Arracado, and
Michael beside him. If Jonas actually did hurt her, she d bet that they would have a hard time
stopping him even working together.
Jonas came at her so fast that it made her heart pound in her chest. He slammed her
against a tree, back grinding into the bark.
Fight me, he said.
She shoved and managed to knock him back a little.
He laughed. Stronger than I thought.
With a snarl, he shoved her back against the tree and went for her throat.
Christiana pushed, but couldn t move him. The new instincts kicked in immediately. Her
skin burned and that heat moved through her body.
Someone gasped. It sounded like Elena.
The points of teeth pressed against her shoulder.
Christiana closed her eyes and let the love she felt wash over her. With it came the calm,
white coolness that quieted the growl she heard rolling from her own lips.
That s it, Blane said.
Jonas pressed harder. Her skin started to give under the pressure.
The instinct rushed back. This time, she let the heat flow and tried to channel it down her
arms. All that power flowed down through her arms at once. Her skin burned and tingled.
If she could use the energy to push him
Oww! Jonas leapt back. Oh. Fuck!
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Her eyes flew open and focused on the white-haired vampire in front of her as he jerked
his shirt up.
Elena rushed to his side. What s wrong?
He nodded toward the red, blistered handprints on his sides. She fucking burned me.
Let me see.
Blane was suddenly there beside Christiana, a wide grin stretched across his face. How
did you do that?
I don t really know. I just sort of thought about where the heat was going.
Jonas started to laugh. It felt like you were boiling my blood. Think you could do it
again? His voice was high, almost giddy, like a child with a new toy. He let the shirt go and
started to take a step.
No! Elena moved his shirt to examine the wounds. These are deep.
Michael moved closer to look at Jonas. He bent beside Elena for a moment, and then
turned his head toward her. You may be more dangerous than all of us.
Blane pulled her close and kissed her cheek. But she can control it.
Apparently. Michael folded his arms over his chest. We will discuss this more when
Khalil arrives. He will have to know.
Blane nodded.
Until then, stay wherever you like. There is plenty of room at the estate and you are
welcome there, Christiana.
I think we d prefer to stay at the safe house.
Michael nodded, then turned and started toward the darkness in the direction where
they d left the cars.
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We need to go, too. We have an appointment, Elena said with a smile and a wink in
Jonas s direction.
Thanks, J. Blane tugged Christiana toward the darkness.
Jonas nodded and lowered his shirt a final time. Anytime. I owe Chris for helping us.
Chris? Hmmm. I think I like that. A shorter version of her name. Maybe that s what
she would go by in her new life.
Jonas smiled and took Elena s hand as she spoke. Welcome to the family, Chris.
Thank you.
The two wandered off. Somehow, even with these new abilities, the sight of them
disappearing into the darkness together was frightening. With the knowledge that those two were
out there, it was a little scarier place to be.
Let s go home, Blane said, pulling her farther into the forest.
* * * *
The sun s coming up, Blane said as he pushed the door open to the little brick ranch-
style house in the middle of nowhere.
But we have long enough. Christiana smoothed her hand over his chest and stood taller
to kiss him. She still couldn t believe that after this much trouble, she had the energy to feel like
having sex. But it wasn t a slight urge; it was a need to have him, like the need to change came
with the heat and the need for blood came with hunger.
He groaned and hooked one arm around her. With the other hand, he shoved the door
shut. They certainly did have enough time.
In one swoop, he scooped her into his arms and carried her to the basement.
He tossed her onto the simple bed there, then kicked off his boots. Christiana was naked
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before he was. Lying there, watching him in the pale light that filtered into the room from the
open doorway, she was a goddess. Her blond hair was pale and her golden eyes sparkled. That
unwavering adoration washed over him again and he climbed onto the bed on top of her.
I love you, Blane, she whispered, and raised her head to meet his.
Their lips met as he lowered himself onto her soft, warm body. With a sigh, she opened
her mouth to him. Their tongues played slowly around one another while his hand played down
her side.
Christiana s skin was hot and getting warmer by the second until she pulled back from
him.
What?
I need to be on top. I can t control myself this way.
Blane nodded and rolled them.
Christiana s blond hair cascaded around his face as she leaned forward. He raised his
hands and smoothed it back, then pulled her face to his, locking their mouths together. He probed
her mouth slowly, deeply.
Her hand gripped his cock and placed the tip at her opening.
God, she was hot. And so wet.
He shoved his hips upward, penetrating her.
She pulled her mouth away and gasped. You re going to make me burn.
She already felt like a warm honey wrapped around his cock. The prospect didn t seem so
bad.
With one hand on his chest, she took a deep breath and slid down onto him. One slow
inch at a time, she worked herself up and down, careful not to let her control fall away.
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Her body flexed around him, her thighs tightening against his hips. He wanted to grab her
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