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  "Look, Liam, you can't keep seeing her," Mike said firmly. "First of all, we can't keep finding girls for you, second of all she's going to end up hearing about it, and then what are you going to do, tell her the truth? No, you're not. Third of all, you're just going to hurt her."

  He was fuming as he glared at his best friends. "I know that!"

  "Well then, don't you think you should end it soon... now?"

  "No."

  "Shit!" Jack exclaimed.

  "Are you insane?" Mike demanded as his patience finally frayed. "Are you listening to yourself? You agree with everything, and yet you're still being an ass!"

  Liam's patience and temper were close to exploding. It was the most selfish thing he had ever done, and he despised himself for it, but he couldn't bring himself to end it with her. The thought alone sent a cold bolt of dread through his heart.

  "I'm not ending it with her."

  Mike stood rigidly. "I cannot believe you're so fucking selfish. What about her? Don't you think she deserves better?"

  "Yes, I do."

  "Then end it with her!"

  "No."

  "Liam, you have to," Doug said calmly.

  "No, I don't."

  "You're a selfish bastard!" Mike exploded.

  Liam rounded on him with his fists clenched. "Yes, I am," he snarled.

  "You have no reason for hanging on to her!" Jack yelled. "None!"

  "I love her!" Liam bellowed.

  They gaped at him in amazement, but it was nothing compared to the astonishment jolting through his system at his words. He took a small step back as the realization slammed home. Jesus, what had he done? He never meant for things to go this far, never planned to care for her at all, never mind fall in love with her.

  "Crap," Liam muttered.

  "You can say that again," Jack mumbled.

  "Liam, what can you offer her? Nothing. Your life, our lives, are nothing but death and blood. She deserves better than that. The only thing you're going to do is hurt her, you, and maybe even us."

  "I know that, Mike, but I can't let her go. I don't know why; I just can't. Not now anyway."

  "It will only get more difficult."

  Liam ran a hand through his hair. He was still completely staggered by his sudden realization. He’d never expected to love anyone, especially not now. The only people he had cared about as a human were these three, David, and his family. How was it possible that now, when he was a monster, he could fall in love?

  "You have to let her go," Doug said.

  It would be the most challenging thing he'd ever have to do, but the most decent thing he’d ever done, human or not. "I know," he reluctantly admitted.

  "Then—"

  "All right!" he snapped. "I will. I'll end it tonight."

  The thought tore through his heart and sent a fiery rage coursing through his veins. "It's for the best," Mike murmured.

  "Shut up, Mike!" he spat.

  They stared at him as if they had no idea who he was anymore; he wasn't entirely sure he knew who he was either. "The girl is across the hall," Doug informed him.

  A muscle twitched in Liam's cheek. "Get rid of her."

  "But—"

  "I said get rid of her!"

  "You need to feed, Liam," Jack said.

  "I'll kill her if I do."

  He spun away from them and flung the door open so forcefully the plaster cracked. He didn't care as he stormed down the hall and back toward the party. His breath was coming in rapid pants by the time he made it to the ground floor. He paused to gather his control before he walked back into the party. The last thing he wanted was for Sera to see him like this. He would scare the hell out of her.

  Harnessing his willpower, he slowly regained control of his rapidly swaying emotions. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to move out of the stairwell and back down the hall. There seemed to be even more people than before, and the smell of alcohol and sweat permeated the air. People bounced into him as he shoved his way forward, heedless of their cries of protest. He had left Sera by the dance floor, but she was no longer there.

  He turned around and started shoving his way back through the crowd. He found Kathleen and Danielle at the doorway of the kitchen. "Where's Sera?" he yelled above the noise.

  "She went to get another drink!" Danielle shouted.

  Liam glanced at the keg by the front door, but she wasn't there. He turned and headed toward the back rooms. There were at least three kegs there. He stepped through the double doors and spotted her talking to a tall guy with brown hair. She was smiling, but she looked more than a little uncomfortable as she said something, and then turned to leave. The man's hand shot out, grasping her arm to stop her. He saw the tremor rocking her as she turned back to him.

  For a moment, Liam saw nothing but red. Then, he was rapidly moving across the floor.

  "I have to go," Sera told him.

  "Can I get your number?" the man inquired.

  "I have a boyfriend."

  "So?"

  Sera was unsure how to respond.

  "So that means back off." Liam seemed to come out of nowhere to grasp the guy's arm.

  The guy's mouth compressed as he turned toward Liam. "No one asked you, pal," he said coldly.

  "Let her go!" Liam commanded.

  Sera gaped in astonishment, unable to believe what was going on. The guy's hand fell from her arm, but resentment radiated from every inch of him. However, it was nothing compared to the wrath blazing from Liam. She was truly frightened as she gazed at his impassive face and fiery eyes. He looked like he was about ready to kill the guy.

  "Hey, what's going on?"

  Sera let out a breath of relief as Mike appeared at Liam's side with Doug and Jack behind him. "Nothing," Liam grated.

  "I was just talking to the girl," the guy said coldly. "If you have a problem with that, then we can solve it."

  "Yes, we can," Liam growled.

  "I don't think so," Mike interjected, shooting a pointed look at Liam before stepping between them. "There will be no fighting, right, Liam?"

  Liam's gaze remained locked on the guy in front of him. His whole body was stiff, and he knew he was close to breaking, close to a place he’d never been before. But seeing the guy touch Sera, and hearing what he'd said unleashed something inside him he hadn't known existed.

  "Liam." Sera's voice and her small hand on his arm helped pull him from the fiery haze blurring his vision. He glanced at her. She stared at him with pleading, troubled eyes. Her lower lip trembled as she looked over at the guy, then back at Liam. "Please don't."

  He stared at her, his jaw clenched as he released the guy's arm. "I think you'd better go," Mike told the man.

  The guy looked at Mike and then at Liam. "Assholes," he muttered as he walked away.

  Liam's jaw clenched, but he managed to refrain from going after him and beating him to a bloody pulp. His shoulders slumped, and he turned to look at Sera. "You okay?" he asked.

  Her eyes rapidly scanned his face. His eyes were still filled with fury, but it was easing as the familiar warmth started to seep into them. She hadn't seen anyone look as wild, not since Jacob, and he had terrified her. It was a new side of him, a side she didn't like.

  "I'm fine. He was just talking," she murmured.

  He reached out to touch her cheek, but she flinched involuntarily away. "Sera..."

  She shook her head as tears welled in her eyes.

  "Will you come upstairs with me?" he asked.

  She wrapped her arms around herself in a desperate attempt to stop the shaking rocking her body.

  He stepped closer to her, and she tilted her head to look at him. "I'm not going to hurt you, Sera. I won't ever hurt you. I promise. Now, will you please come upstairs with me so we can talk?"

  She stared warily at him before nodding. No matter what she just saw, Liam had never harmed her, and she believed he never would.

  She didn't flinch from him, something he was extremely grateful for as
he slid his arm around her waist. He turned back around to find Jack and Doug studying him with mixed expressions of concern. Mike frowned as he stared at Sera. Liam stopped at Mike's side. "It's not going to happen," he said quietly so Sera couldn't hear him.

  Mike stared at him in disbelief before looking back at Sera. "Liam—"

  "No, Mike, it's not going to happen."

  "I hope you know what you're doing."

  "I don't," he admitted before turning and leading her out of the room.

  He knew he couldn't let her go right now; he wasn't sure if he'd ever be able to let her go. The thought of her with anyone else was enough to make him feel like killing someone. He loved her, and he intended to be with her for as long as he possibly could.

  Tonight, he stood on a precipice he'd never thought to stand on before. His love for her had pushed him to it, but she somehow managed to pierce through his desire to kill and pull him back before he plummeted over. If he lost her, he would go over the edge. She was the only thing keeping him from the darkness and in the light. He couldn't let that light go, especially when his existence was so dreary.

  He opened the door to his room and led her inside. Flicking the switch on, he turned to look at her. "You scared me," she whispered.

  Liam winced. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."

  He pulled her forward, enveloping her in his arms. He slipped his hand into her thick hair and held her against him. She resisted for a second before wrapping her arms around his waist and burying herself against him.

  He held her for a long time, savoring her warmth, and the way she eased his bleak soul. He pulled away, bent down, and picked her up. Her hands instinctively clutched his shoulders as he flicked the switch off and carried her to the bed.

  "Liam—"

  "It's all right," he said. "I just want to hold you, Sera."

  She didn't make another protest as he sat on the bed and pulled her down. She laid her head on his shoulder; her mouth pressed against his neck, her breath was warm on his throat. Her small fingers curled into his shirt as she nestled closer. She lifted her head; her delicate mouth parted as she gazed at him. Easing her head down, he kissed her, his tongue entwined with hers as she opened her mouth to his. Instantly, he began to harden and throb. He shifted so she wouldn't feel his obvious lust for her. Winding his hands in her hair, he leisurely imitated with his tongue what he longed to do to her body in long, smooth thrusts. She tasted so sweet he knew he would never get enough of her.

  He stroked her breasts when she melted against him; her limp body trembled as her arms wound around his neck. She moaned as his hand slid up her shirt to cup her full, luscious breast. Her nipple became taut as he rubbed his fingers around it. He rolled her to the side, leveling himself beside her as his hands ran over her satiny skin, and his mouth continued to tease her. She was unbelievably soft and delicate, so enticing as her body moved against his and little erotic gasps escaped her.

  It was sometime later before he forced himself to pull away from her. She stared up at him, her eyes clouded with passion, and her lips tantalizingly swollen from his kisses. He trailed his finger along her full bottom lip as she smiled. He wanted her so badly it nearly killed him to pull away from her.

  He nestled her head securely in his shoulder. "Why did you stop?" she murmured.

  She cuddled closer to him; her small fingers rested on his chest. "Because you're not ready yet, are you?"

  "No, but you didn't have to stop."

  She had no idea what she did to him. He couldn't take the chance of scaring her if they kept going, and he knew there was a risk he would. She was beginning to trust him, and he’d already scared her once tonight.

  "Yes, I did."

  She lifted her head to look questioningly down at him. "Why?"

  He chuckled and pushed back her tousled hair. "Because you drive me crazy."

  The frown and the questioning look in her eyes were enough to let him know she didn't understand. He took her hand; his eyes fixed on hers as he lowered it to his crotch. Her eyes widened as his shaft jumped through his jeans beneath her fingers.

  Her fingers undid the button of his jeans and slid the zipper down. His breath froze as her warm hand slid inside; she pushed aside his underwear as she stroked him. His shaft jumped beneath her shy, hesitant touch as he sucked in a deep breath. "Sera you don't have to do this," he managed to choke out.

  She smiled enticingly as her hand wrapped around him. He bit back a groan. "I want to," she whispered. "I just don't..." her words trailed off as a blush crept up her face, and her long lashes lowered to shadow her eyes.

  A jolt of shock rocked through him as he understood what she was trying to say. To his surprise, and extreme joy, he realized she was even more innocent than he thought. He took her hand again. Her eyes flew back to his as he began to show her what to do, and how to please him.

  He watched with intense rapture the myriad of emotions playing across her face. At first, there was a hint of fear, then wonder, and finally amazement. Passion clouded her eyes as she watched him. He eased his hand away and allowed her to touch and explore him on her own as he rolled her back to her side. She watched him as her hand continued to stroke and fondle him. He had to fight against the urge to spill himself as pleasure coursed through his body, but he wanted to wait to bring her over with him.

  Placing his hand on her thigh, he ran it languidly up to the edge of her skirt and slid beneath. He watched her face for any sign she wanted him to stop, but there was only awe in her gaze. He pushed her panties down, his gaze focused on her as he slid his hand over her curls.

  She bit her bottom lip as her legs clamped together. "It's all right," he whispered. "If you don't like it, tell me to stop."

  Her eyes were tempestuous as her hand upon him stilled, and she studied him. Then, her thighs eased apart. Liam felt a moment of pure male satisfaction as he slid his hand lower and discovered her already wet with desire. It was good to know he drove her as crazy as she drove him, and she didn't even know what she was missing yet.

  He was about to give her a hint.

  He slid his finger inside her; an involuntary shudder ripped through him as he realized how wet and tight she was. She inhaled as he slid out of her, and then back in. Her face transformed from caution, to amazement, then to pleasure in a matter of seconds. Her mouth parted as her hand began to move on him again. He arched into her touch as he continued to make love to her with his hand.

  He bent his head and reclaimed her mouth as his hand entwined in her hair. She arched into him, a cry escaping her as he began to move faster within her. He held her as she began to match his urgency, stroking faster and pushing him toward the brink. He parted her folds and used his thumb to caress her. She cried out, arching against him as her muscles clamped around his finger. He groaned as he finally found his release.

  She collapsed on the bed, her muscles still contracting around him as she sighed contentedly. She had never felt anything so blissful or sweet in her life. "Hold on," Liam whispered.

  He rolled out of bed and padded across the room. She heard him searching for something before he returned to her. He took hold of her hand and wiped it with a towel. It was only then she realized she had his seed on her fingers. A blush began to stain her cheeks as she shyly lifted her eyes to him. His pants hung loosely on his narrow hips, unbuttoned, and unzipped. He was so broad, and strong, and magnificent.

  She looked back at his face to find him studying her with a bemused smile. He slid the jeans off revealing solid, muscled thighs. Sera's blush deepened as he pulled his shirt off to reveal his well-muscled abdomen and a V of black hair spreading across his chest and belly before tapering off at his underwear. She was still marveling at the amazing differences between his body and hers when he climbed back onto the bed.

  "You can't sleep in your clothes," he said.

  Moving ever so slowly, he took hold of the bottom of her shirt. He slid it up as she lifted her arms to allow him to slide it over he
r head. She remained silent as he pushed her skirt down. His hands skimmed over her legs and caused a shiver of delight to tear through her as he slipped it off. Her blush deepened as his gaze leisurely traveled over her body.

  "You're beautiful," he whispered.

  Her gaze flew to his. He smiled at her as he pulled her down and wrapped the blanket around them both. He rubbed her silky back as she nestled into his shoulder. A feeling of utter contentment stole through him as she snuggled closer to him. Her breasts were lush against his chest, and to his amazement, he found himself growing erect again. He closed his eyes as he gritted his teeth against the lust building within him. If he was this obsessed with her now, what would he be like when he finally made love to her?

  He inhaled as he tried to get himself under control. Suddenly, he was assailed with the heady scent of her blood. It was sweet and enticing, utterly tempting. He had forgotten he didn’t feed earlier. He was acutely reminded of that fact now.

  He wouldn't hurt her. He'd burn in Hell before that happened. He closed his eyes as his baser instincts began to subside. He wanted to tell her he loved her, but the words lodged in his throat. Instead, he held her as she drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter Six

  Sera slipped the black velvet cape around her shoulders and tied it at her throat. It swept along the floor as she moved to Kathleen's closet where her full-length mirror hung. Kathleen was cursing miserably in front of the small mirror on her dresser as she angrily shoved bobby pins into her hair. She was trying to get a long black wig to stay in place for the night, but Sera was certain she would rip her hair out in the process.

  Sera was staggered by her reflection when she stepped in front of the mirror. Her long blonde hair was swept up and pinned neatly on her head. Spiraling tendrils framed her face. Her eyes shone a brilliant purple against the deep violet of her long, medieval dress, the sleeves were off the shoulder. An elegant gold choker, with fake blue stones hanging from it, was clasped around her neck. The painted flames on her face swirled out from her eyes and curled to her temples. They made her eyes seem larger and more mysterious.