~ ~ ~
Iris focused all her thoughts on Seraphina. She’d seen the look of panic in the witch’s eyes when Seraphina had realized Iris and Connor were communicating telepathically. But why had she looked so distressed?
Telepathy had to be a power indicator, but what ramification was she missing? Right now, she could communicate with Connor, she could sense him in strong ways, and he could use her killing power. Which meant Iris could probably employ Connor’s vampire abilities, but which ones? And how would that work?
Mostly, vampires fed on the blood of others, requiring the substance to live. But what they also had was increased strength, significantly more than either warlocks or witches. If she was right and if she combined these two vampire traits, she suspected she’d have what she needed to battle Seraphina.
Connor, I have an idea about how I can render Seraphina harmless, and she won’t be expecting this kind of attack. Also, it may not work, but I want to try. Are you game?
He turned to her, holding her gaze fiercely. What are you thinking?
I’m going to bite her and put her in a vampire thrall.
What? His brows rose.
She knew he would start to argue, so she put a hand on his shoulder. I’m going with my instincts. But the moment I sink my teeth, take Evan down because he’ll try to disrupt my attack.
He gripped her arm in response. Are you sure?
Of the outcome? No. That I must try, yes.
He held her gaze for a long moment. Then do it.
I want you to protest what I’m about to say. After that, follow my lead. Okay?
I love you.
Same here.
Iris turned in Seraphina’s direction. “I’ll bargain my life and my witch power for Connor’s, right now. You let him go, and I’ll enter your coven and labor as your servant.”
Seraphina released Evan. “Do you hear that, my love? She offers herself in exchange for a vampire.”
“Do you believe her?”
“I don’t know.”
Connor grabbed Iris’s arm, pulling her toward him. “Don’t do this.”
Iris forced tears to eyes. “It’s already done.” To his mind, she sent, Get ready to fall and make it look good. As she pulled away from him, she swept her arms up and created a wind similar to Seraphina’s.
Connor stumbled backward and made a show of falling on his ass, then his side. He slid a good eight feet as well.
Iris ignored him and instead moved toward Seraphina. Each step caused her to feel more and more lethargic. The dark witch wasn’t taking any chances. She’d created her own spell, one meant to control Iris.
But it gave Iris the exact tool she would need: An appearance of weakness.
She didn’t fight Seraphina’s spell. Instead, she held out her arms and the moment she drew near, she let out a soft moan and fell toward the woman.
Seraphina caught her and that’s when Iris opened her mouth wide and took as much of her throat as she could. She bit down hard.
Seraphina’s spell evaporated because Iris’s hold on her shifted her focus. She tried to push Iris away, but Iris gripped Seraphina’s shoulders as well. Then she bit down even harder until she tasted blood.
And it was that moment, when the metallic flavor hit her tongue, that she felt Connor’s vampire ability slam through her, adding his physical strength to the bite.
At the same time, Seraphina became as docile as a lamb. She felt Evan pulling on her shoulders, trying to get Iris away from his woman, but she was part vampire now and she held steady.
His hold didn’t last long, either, because Connor had already engaged.