Wicked Road to Hel (League of Guardians 1)

Ana.

What the hell was she doing here?

Anger crashed through him and he slammed his glass down. Already he saw several demons and otherworld creatures sniffing madly, wanting to find the source of this new odor.

She was in Hell for fuck sakes. Did she think her unique vampire signature would go unnoticed?

She looked up then and their eyes met. It was like a physical hit to his gut and he clenched his hands together tightly. She was frozen, a graceful gazelle about to be slaughtered.

He needed to act fast.

Declan pushed away from the bar, his long legs eating up the distance to her as he dove through the crowd, ignoring the noise, the insanity that surrounded him.

He didn’t take his eyes from hers. She moved into the shadows along the wall and when he stood in front of her, he had to take a moment, afraid to speak.

“Are you fucking nuts?” he whispered harshly, moving forward once more, crowding her small frame against the wall.

“Apparently not as crazy as you,” she hissed. “What the hell are you thinking? Going after the kids by yourself—”

His hand shot out and he gripped her chin between his fingers, effectively silencing her. She struggled, but something in his eyes held her still and she relaxed.

Declan couldn’t articulate the absolute rage he felt. She was as good as dead if he didn’t do something quickly. He leaned down, his dark eyes intense, and when he spoke there was no doubt as to the severity of the situation.

“This place is full of demons and every kind of otherworld creature you can imagine. Right now your sweet-ass scent is circulating and it will be both of our butts served up and thrown into the pit unless we mask it.”

Her nostrils flared. Her eyes widened.

“You will feed from me, now.”

“I won’t,” she whispered hoarsely, “I can’t.”

His lips were inches from hers. He saw the fear in her eyes and how she quickly covered it.

“You will. It’s the only way. My blood is filled with a serum Samael supplied. It masks my true signature. If we get enough of it into you, I might have a chance at getting you out of here alive.”

She opened her mouth but he gripped her harder, until a whimper of pain fell between them.

“There is no other choice, Ana. If you want those children safe you need to listen to me. This is my turf, you understand?” he snarled.

“There has to be another way.”

“I know my blood repels you but you should have thought of that before you came here.” He was livid. “There is no alternative.”

Ana’s eyes were shadowed, her voice subdued. “Your blood doesn’t repel me. It sings to me in a way that’s wrong.” She shuddered. “And I’m afraid . . .”

“What are you afraid of?”

She looked up at him and he was stunned at the emotion in her eyes. His vampire’s facade was slowly cracking.

“I’m afraid I won’t be able to stop.”

He pulled her in, held her head against his neck, and whispered urgently. “I trust you.”

Her breath slid across his skin and he braced his body against the wall with his left hand. They were shielded from the crowd behind him, his frame covering hers effectively. His fear for her was making him crazy.

“Now,” he hissed.

Her mouth was against his throat, her body crushed to his, and when he felt the scrape of her teeth just over his jugular, his body hardened, more than ready.