Boxed Set Page 28

  "I see my boys were a little too rough on you. I'm sorry about that."

  Sera swallowed as she closed her eyes. The pain was beginning to subside. She put her hands beneath her and shoved herself into a sitting position; a small moan escaped her as she fell backward. Thankfully, a cold wall braced her. She slumped against it, breathing shallowly as she allowed the chill of the wall to ease the pounding in her head.

  She opened her eyes again. They were in a small cave with jagged rock walls. A small fire danced in the center of the cave; Beth sat on the other side of it, studying her with a bemused smile. Sera's gaze drifted past her to the long tunnel leading out. Even with her enhanced vision, she couldn't see the end of it.

  The three men behind Beth were half hidden in the shadows playing across the walls. Their arms were folded over their chests as they stared at her with reddened eyes. "Can we keep her?" one asked.

  "Maybe," Beth replied absently. Sera knew no matter what, Beth would not let her leave this cave alive. She tilted her chin defiantly as she met Beth's hostile gaze. Beth smiled chillingly as her eyes flashed with hatred. "Maybe not."

  "She would be fun to play with," another said.

  "Oh trust me, boys, we will be playing," Beth assured. "But not yet. First, we have to wait for lover boy."

  Fury suffused Sera; it burned through her veins and gave her the strength to move. She climbed unsteadily to her feet, her gaze locked on Beth's as she leaned against the wall. "That's part of the reason why I went back for him, why I changed him. One of the best I ever had. Then, he left me."

  "Do you blame him?" Sera managed to grate out.

  Beth's eyes flashed as a cruel smile twisted her face. "Then, he found you. I've always heard about the soul mate thing, I personally never believed in it, but I guess it is true. Do you know if you die, he dies? If he dies, you die?"

  Beth moved unhurriedly around the fire. "You go insane if you do not immediately die," she continued. "I wonder what happens when you witness the death of the other?"

  Some of Sera's defiance melted as a wave of cold terror washed through her. Her heart seemed to stop beating as her chest constricted. She couldn't bear to have anything happen to Liam. Her legs began to tremble, and it was only sheer willpower keeping them beneath her. Beth's eyes were gleaming as she stopped before Sera.

  "Maybe I'll just keep you alive, and make him do whatever I want to keep you that way."

  "I would rather be dead," Sera stated.

  Beth's laugh was chilling as she touched Sera's cheek. Sera glared hatefully down at her as she jerked her face away. "I could probably even force him to make love to me, and make you watch."

  The new demon inside her burst instantly free as she lunged forward. Sera managed to hook her fingers into Beth's shirt and claw into her skin as a haze of red clouded her vision. Beth snarled viciously and ripped free of Sera's grasp as hands seized her throat. Sera choked and thrashed as she was hauled against a solid chest.

  Beth panted heavily as one of the men cradled her throat within his firm grasp. "You are so lucky I want you alive for this!" Beth spat.

  Sera went limp in the man's hold, but he didn't release her. She panted as she tried to think of a way she could get herself out of this mess before Liam arrived. She had no doubt he would come for her, but she couldn't risk losing him, and these monsters were so much stronger than he was, so much crueler.

  Her breath froze in her lungs as her head jerked up. "No," she breathed.

  Beth flashed a grin as she turned around. "He's here."

  Sera kicked and spit as she renewed her struggle. "Stay still, little girl!" her captor grated in her ear. "Or I'll break you like a twig."

  "Liam, no!" Sera screamed.

  A blast of fury ripped into her skull. Sera went limp as Liam's presence invaded her mind and soul. She whimpered as panic and wrath chilled her from the inside out. Tears instantly began to slide down her cheeks. He was alone; she knew that. He had come alone, and he was going to die. He couldn't beat them, not alone.

  Please go away, she pleaded silently. Please.

  He didn't go away but appeared within the tunnel of the cave. Her heart leapt into her throat as his gaze fell upon her, red and livid. For a second, his eyes flickered, and the brilliant green of them blazed forth. His eyes returned to a vibrant ruby color as they landed on the man holding her. His face twisted into a furious snarl, and a vein in his forehead jumped forth as his jaw clenched.

  "Hello, lover," Beth taunted.

  Anger rushed through her as possessiveness swept her like a tsunami. She stiffened in the man's grasp. His hand dug into her neck as his claws pierced her skin. She bit back a cry of agony.

  Slowly he turned from her to look at Beth and the other two men. "Beth," he growled.

  Beth's smile was taunting as she gracefully moved around the fire. Everything inside him screamed at him to destroy and kill everyone here. It was only the thought of Sera keeping him at bay. If he attacked Beth now, he knew the man holding Sera would kill her.

  "Did you come alone? Not smart lover, not smart," Beth continued to taunt as she stopped before him.

  He glared at her hatefully, but every sense focused on Sera. Her fear beat at him as she remained unmoving within the man's grasp. Her silent plea for him to leave was the only thought he could register from her.

  Beth's eyes sparkled with malice as she took a step forward. "What exactly do you plan to do?" she asked sweetly.

  "I plan to kill you," he grated.

  Sera couldn't suppress a whimper as the hand dug deeper into her throat. The man holding her lifted her, so her toes barely touched the ground. Liam's eyes flashed violently. The men in the shadows moved slightly forward.

  "She'll be dead before you can move," Beth said laughingly. "It makes you mad he's touching her, doesn't it? Holding her? Stroking her?"

  Sera whimpered again as the man nuzzled her neck. He seemed to be taking some cue from Beth. "She smells sweet," the man said huskily.

  Sera tried to twist her head away, but he held her firmly as he leisurely licked her face. She couldn't see past the red haze clouding her vision as Liam's rage slammed into her skull.

  "That really does upset you," Beth whispered. "Think about what they'll do to her when you're gone."

  His last thread of control unraveled and he lunged furiously at Beth. She writhed within his grasp, hissing and spitting as he pulled her against him. His hands ripped into her arms, causing her blood to flow.

  "Let her go!" he bellowed at the man holding Sera as his hand wrapped around Beth's throat.

  The man holding Sera laughed as the other two steadily crept forward. "You're not going to kill her as long as I have this one. We can survive without Beth, can you say the same?"

  Liam dug deeper into Beth's throat; he wanted to rip her throat out, destroy her; tear her apart. Sera's eyes were haunting as they fell on him, her terror beat against him.

  He took in the air around him. He could sense his friends, they were coming, but they weren't close enough. "If I were you, I would let her go before I rip out your girlfriend's neck," the man holding Sera warned.

  Sera's gasp brought his attention back to her. The blood trickling down her throat was a vibrant splash of red against the paleness of her skin. The sight of it tore at him as it clawed into his gut. His hold on Beth involuntarily tightened, and his fingers dug deeper into her flesh. Beth spat as Sera flung herself backward.

  The resounding crack that followed filled her with satisfaction as the brute's nose gave way beneath the force of her skull. He howled and released her as he grabbed his shattered nose. Sera twisted, braced her feet against his legs, and shoved forward. He grabbed her again, but then his grasp slipped, and she plummeted to the cave floor. Her hands and knees stung from the impact, but she launched herself back to her feet.

  Liam had only a second to react as the other two rushed toward her. He ripped his hand across Beth's throat. Blood poured across his hand as she gurgled
in distress and her hands flew to her torn windpipe. He shoved Beth aside and leapt over the fire as Sera jumped to her feet.

  He grasped hold of her arms and pushed her backward as one of them grasped for her. Sera cried out as her back connected with the rock wall. She didn't have time to register anything before Liam was shoved against her. The two monsters were on top of him, clawing and hissing viciously. The one she wounded was recovered and coming at them again.

  Sera screamed as one of them slashed at Liam. Blood spurted from his arm and splashed across her face. She struggled to get away so she could help him, but Liam kept her pinned against the wall as they slashed and punched at each other.

  Claws tore at her as the one she injured arrived at Liam's side. She cried out as they ripped through her clothes, tore through her skin, and sliced across her ribcage. Liam howled as he grabbed hold of the arm and ripped it back. Claws ripped into the side of his face, slashing him to the cheekbone; he didn't seem to notice as he snapped the arm within his grasp.

  A scream echoed through the cavern as the man stumbled back. Liam turned toward the other two, but they were on him. Their teeth snapped as one grasped his neck. Liam clutched the hand as the man tried to rip him away from Sera. He clung to the arm as claws sank deep into his throat.

  He seized hold of the man's throat. The man's blood flowed forth beneath his long claws and poured down his arm. The man left jagged tears across his neck as he jerked back. Blinking against the pain suffusing him, Liam drove a fist straight into his nose and knocked him back a few feet.

  Behind him, Sera fought to get free, but he couldn't let her out. These men would destroy her if he did. The other man reached behind him and grabbed Sera's arm. Rage tore through him as he swung back with his free arm and forcefully shoved her into the wall. Sera tore free of the grasp.

  Her eyes widened as they landed upon the man clinging to Liam. They were going to kill him; she knew it. No matter how fueled he was by fury and love, they were going to kill him. They were too strong and too many. Something tore inside of her, and a primitive force burst free. She launched herself over Liam's back as she swung out ferociously. She caught the one holding him across the lower jaw and sliced him to the bone.

  Liam tried to push her back, but she held onto his shoulder, refusing to back down. If he died, then she died, but she was not going down without a fight. Without warning the one holding Liam was ripped away. Sera caught only a glimpse of Mike's twisted face before his back turned. David and Doug were suddenly beside her as they pulled the others away. Jack was holding the throat of the one with the broken arm and shattered nose.

  Sera slumped forward; relief flowed through her as Liam straightened. His eyes were still ablaze as they settled on her. A cry of horror escaped as she stretched a hand out to touch his sliced cheek and torn neck. He took her hand, halting her from touching him.

  He released her hand, and it fell limply back to her side. His gaze drifted over her; a snarl curved his mouth as his eyes landed on her torn side. His hands convulsed as he turned away. She knew there would be no reaching him, not now.

  Sera slumped against the wall; her head bent as she inhaled a shuddery breath. Her whole body hurt. Her fingers clutched at the ragged wound in her side. Blood coated her fingers, but beneath that, she could feel muscle and bone. Nausea and weakness rolled through her as she slid to the ground, tired and drained. Black swarmed across her eyes, but she forced it back as she lifted her head to gaze dully at Liam.

  He was holding Beth above the ground. She struggled weakly in his grasp as blood soaked her shirt. His claws dug deep, and he ripped through flesh and sinew as he tore the life from her. He threw her body aside and turned toward his friends. Their gazes held the same bloodlust he felt as they stood over the remains of the men.

  "Liam."

  Sera's weak voice dimmed the fury in him as he turned toward her. She lifted her blood-coated hands. His heart froze in his chest when her hands fell to her sides, and she slumped to the floor.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  "I'll get some towels!" Mike yelled.

  Liam barely heard him as he strode across the room with Sera in his arms. Her head lolled against his shoulder. Blood seeped through the shirt he had wrapped around her; it now ran down his stomach to wet the edge of his jeans and his skin. Normally, the amount of blood she’d lost wouldn't be a concern, but she was still so new and unsure of her abilities. She could staunch the blood flow on her own, from the inside out, and she had done some of it, but not enough. Her body would do the rest on its own, but Liam wasn't sure if it would happen in time. One thing was for sure, she needed blood, and she needed it now. Unfortunately, although he fed earlier, he was now weak and drained from blood loss himself.

  He laid her on the bed and sat beside her as he pulled back the shirt to examine her wounds. Deep claw marks had torn through her flesh to reveal the sharp white of the bone beneath. The marks she’d managed to heal still showed some of the muscle. The wounds in her neck had healed completely, but blood still streaked her skin and wet the collar of her shirt.

  "Here."

  Liam took the towels Mike offered and pressed them against her side. Sera moaned but remained unconscious. Liam's brow furrowed as Mike hovered anxiously by his side. "She doesn't look so good," he murmured.

  "I know that!" Liam retorted. Mike's eyes darted worriedly to him, but he refrained from saying anything else. "She'll be all right as long as we get some blood in her."

  Liam brushed her hair back from her brow. Red streaked the ends of it. He desperately hoped it wasn't too late, that she hadn't already slipped past a line he wouldn't be able to cross. He couldn't lose her. The thought tore his heart and soul to shreds. He wouldn't lose her. He couldn't allow it. Blood seeped through the towels to wet his hands again.

  "Take these." He gave them to Mike, and he disappeared into the bathroom to get more. Liam examined the wound again. More muscle had formed, but the process seemed to be stalled. He pressed a fresh towel against her side.

  "She'll be all right," he whispered.

  Mike didn't say anything as he handed over more towels and knelt by Liam's side. He gave him a questioning look before taking hold of her hand. Liam shot him an angry look but didn't say anything.

  "I'm sure she will." Mike sounded doubtful as he squeezed Sera's hand and released it.

  Liam closed his eyes and bent his head. She was still and cold beneath his touch. He could feel the waning strength within her; feel the tenuous hold she had upon life. Her breath barely caused her chest to rise. "Where are they?" he demanded.

  "They'll be here soon."

  Liam glanced hopelessly around the small hotel room. A knock on the door snapped his head around. Mike jumped to his feet and hurried to open it. David, Doug, and Jack came into the room, each pulling someone along with them. There was a dull, glazed look in the eyes of the people as they stood soundlessly in the doorway. Doug shut the door and ushered them further into the room. Liam didn't care two of them were women and Sera would be upset. It didn't matter right now.

  He climbed swiftly to his feet. "Hold this," he told Mike.

  Mike hurried forward as Liam dragged the first girl into the bathroom.

  Liam cradled Sera's head as he pressed her mouth firmly against the slit he made at the base of his throat. She was too weak to feed on her own, too weak to even move. He held her close as the blood trickled down her throat and seeped into her veins. He could feel it healing her wounds as muscle and skin gradually repaired itself.

  Even though he could feel her healing, she was still weak and unresponsive. If he wasn’t holding her, she would fall back to the bed. He clung to her, praying for her safety, for her life. He had done nothing to deserve her, but if he lost her now, he knew he wouldn't be able to survive it.

  Sera please, he sent the desperate plea into her mind through his blood. He felt a small flicker of a response as he continued to plead with her, to wish her to live. Her hands twitc
hed in his lap. He fought back the waves of hope crashing through him. It was too soon to hope, too soon to know if she was truly going to be all right. Please, he pleaded over and over again.

  Her mouth twitched on his neck, and she swallowed for herself. His hands dug into her hair as her teeth pressed against his neck. He turned his head as she bit deep into him. He held her as he allowed her to take whatever she needed, whatever would help her. Her hands twitched again, and then her arms wrapped around his back.

  Her mind filtered into his. He could feel her weakness, feel her hunger, and hear the tears she shed. Her love enveloped him in a cocoon, and for the first time in hours, he was confident she would survive. He was unable to get her close enough, unable to feel enough of her as relief filled him.

  Eventually, she released her hold on him. Her eyes landed on him as she managed a weak smile. "You're going to be okay," he said.

  "Yes," she croaked out.

  He lifted her off the bed and carried her into the bathroom. Although she was sated, and her wounds healed, she was still incredibly weak. He set her down on the edge of the tub and stripped the bloodied clothes off her. She watched him in silence, her skin so pale it was nearly translucent, and her eyes shadowed.

  Blood streaked across her cheekbones, hair, stomach, and thighs. Dark scratches still marred her side. For the first time, her naked body didn't bring him to instant arousal. Instead, all he felt was a need to care for her, to protect her, and shield her. He shed his clothes, scooped her back up, and held her against his chest as he stepped into the tub. He turned the water on and adjusted the temperature before pulling the tab for the shower. The water hit them with stinging hot needles. She rested her head weakly against his chest as the blood flowed off them. The water ran red for a long time as he gently washed it from her hair and body.