The look on the girl's face—and the scent of longing that rolled off her when Fen mentioned Azael—was stronger than the fear of every human around her combined.
Pretty little thing. Azael had the nerve to desire such a fragile human girl.
She was terrified—her pupils restless as she clutched the man beside her, who was frozen in fear.
This was Fen's own territory. He wondered if she was truly as important to Azael as she seemed.
Fen grabbed her. She screamed.
"No—Zane."
The man she called Zane didn't move. He only swallowed, trembling before Fen—stupid girl.
Did she really think a human would save her from a pack of wolves?
Surely, Azael's type wasn't the foolish ones.
Fen turned her chin and noticed her neck, a vampire's mark. Her arm also carried the bite of one of his lycans.
He began to laugh, instantly understanding how she could have both. Azael had drunk the infectious blood of a lycan to keep her from turning.
"I asked a question, girl," he said, grinning into her face. She didn't look away. Fear shook her but her pupils still danced with thought.
"Y-yes." she stammered. "Please don't harm us."
Fen's grip tightened around her arm, drawing a flinch. "Perhaps I should demonstrate my mercy."
He reached toward Zane and snapped his wrist with a single twist. The man's screams tore through the air as he crumpled, sending another wave of dread across the humans.
"Zane!" she sobbed, turning toward him, tears streaking her eyes. "If it's me you want, take me. Just don't hurt them."
Fen opened his mouth to respond—when a flicker of wings caught his eyes. A bat disappearing into the trees.
Azael. There was no way he had indeed crossed into his territory.
A wicked idea formed. If Azael were watching, he would draw him out.
Fen shoved the girl to the ground. She fell onto her back, eyes wide with horror.
"P-please…"
He loosened his trousers, gaze traveling down her exposed thighs.
Even if he didn't succeed in provoking Azael, he would at least enjoy what her body promised.
He leaned closer. She was still staring directly at him. The audacity infuriated him.
"What is your name?" he barked, placing both hands on her knees.
She stilled, goosebumps rolling across her skin. "E-Elana."
His hand slid higher beneath her pink dress. She shivered and caught his wrist, pushing back.
His grin grew wider—right as Azael's cold scent hit him.
Before he could react, a cold punch—one only the king of night could inflict—sent him flying into a tree.
Despite the pain searing through him, he laughed. Through bloodied eyes he saw Azael standing over the girl, eyes glowing red.
Three wolves ignited in flames at Azael's command, "Lehava."
The rest retreated into the shadows.
Fen screamed, "A woman, brother! A woman made you trespass on my land."
**
Elana heard the chaos around her but couldn't understand what had thrown the man so far.
Zane's whimper pulled her attention back. She crawled toward his voice—praying he wasn't dying.
"Zane!" She reached out, searching—before she felt the familiar scent of wisteria and strong arms lifting her.
Azael.
The world shifted—his presence blanketed her, solid and unyielding.
Her heart stumbled. Was that monster his brother? They couldn't be related.
Her fingers grazed Azael's firm chest—the one she'd dreamt of touching every night since they parted ways.
"Azael…" she breathed, reaching for his face.
He had saved her again.
She froze when Fen's laugh echoed again.
"What happens when the all-powerful vampire has something to lose?"
Her pulse spiked.
As a child, she had heard the tales—how vampires could drain the blood from your neck.
She remembered the searing pain she'd felt in her neck the moment she sensed him after the animal bit her.
But he said nothing.
Zane groaned again. Her thoughts snapped to Cara and the others.
"Please—save them." She whispered into his chest. "They helped me. They don't deserve to die."
Suddenly the wind roared around them as Azael leapt, drawing a scream from her lips.
The other man's voice echoed below. "Your doom is close, Azael. You will bow at my feet soon enough."
Only the wind answered now. She flailed against Azael's hold.
"No no. You have to help them. Those animals would kill them."
"Worry about yourself first, Elana," he murmured, his deep baritone vibrating against her.
"But they're good people," she whispered. "They just want a better life."
His voice hardened.
"Including the man you were holding? The one you cared for?"
"Zane?" she blinked. Realizing it was a question, she nodded.
"Yes. He's one of the kindest too…he carried me__"
"Silence."
His body tensed. She didn't understand why he was angry.
"I'm sorry if I'm asking too much but it's the least I could do for them."
She curled into him instinctively where it felt like they were floating but still moving.
He felt safe.
**
Azael cursed under his breath as he dropped Elana onto the balcony of Moza in his castle.
The fury at what Fen had almost done to her—and the man she had been reaching for—burned hot in his chest.
"You'll stay here. Not a single step."
"No," she answered, voice steady but defiant. "You do not own me. The people we left behind are good. I'd rather die by their side than escape alone."
Her words stabbed him. She had been thinking about another man while they were separated.
Azael grabbed her, painfully firm, making sure she felt his breath brush her face.
"You'd rather die by another man's side than live at mine?"
She froze, clueless, but he didn't care. He would show her just how much she belonged by his side.
He leaned in, capturing her red, soft lips in a swift, searing kiss, swallowing the small gasp that escaped her.
Her body stiffened—then slowly melted into him, giving him full control. Her lips parted releasing her breath, warm, human, teasing his senses.
Her soft curves pressed against his chest, nipples hard beneath the fabric, tempting him further.
He lifted her effortlessly, burying his face in her neck, inhaling the lavender scent he craved, tracing her smooth thighs with long precise strokes.
Goosebumps prickled her skin and low breathy moans spilled from her lips.
She clung to him, pressing her body closer, fingers threading through his hair, aching for more, legs wrapped around his waist, bare feet locking behind him.
A woman made you trespass on my land.
Fen's voice shattered the moment, yanking Azael from the haze of hunger.
Reality hit. The consequences of what he'd done to save Elana.
He had let himself slip too far in front of Fen.
He lifted his head from her neck. She mirrored him, shy, lowering her face.
Admiring the moonlight on her flushed cheeks and the moisture on her lips left by his kiss.
Gently, he set her down, ashamed of the desire that had driven him so recklessly.
She folded her hands over her chest, hiding the evidence of her arousal.
Azael stepped back, the weight of his own power pressing down. Fate had marked him—and he had almost lost control.
"Rest, Elana," he said, voice tightened. "I'll see what I can do."
Even now, he couldn't allow her to risk herself.
Her body had already responded enough to assure him.
She lifted her head slowly but before temptation could take him again, he teleported—leaving her trembling, heart racing, and fully aware of the heat he carried with him.
**
Syrus watched from the shadows, witnessing the intimate moment between the blind girl and the vampire.
Impressive. He had trailed the ancient when he'd spotted him with the girl in his arms from the forest to where his castle stood.
The vampire hadn't sensed him this time, at all.
Now he knew two things:
Where the ancient dwelled…and the relationship he had with the blind girl.
The prison breakout would likely be announced in the kingdom by morning. Syrus could already envision the uproar against the king using the situation.
A few soldiers wouldn't mind spreading some "truthful rumors" for extra gold.
This would buy him more time to explore the territory of this ancient Vampire, not hindered by King Victor and his usual haste.
Hoping his plan would work, Syrus prepared to observe the strengths and weaknesses of this ancient in more detail, even if he had to go into the spiritual cast himself to do so.