Dagan opened the door to their quarters, but Shae stopped at the entrance to the bedroom, her gaze shifting to the enormous bed. He ushered her inside and said quietly, “My entire quarters were redone while we were in Romania. I asked Hedori. I wanted something better for you, and a fresh start for us.”

She blinked, her throat tightening at his thoughtfulness, and she was damn glad he had. She pivoted and put her hand on his abdomen. Something warm and wet coated her fingers. She reared back, staring at her blood-smeared fingers. “You’re bleeding.”

He looked down at his shirt, now glossy with blood and sighed. “Give me a minute.”

Shae inhaled a shaky breath as he disappeared into the bathroom. How many more of these injuries could he take? He looked far too pale. At human strength, he wouldn’t last long, not with the kind of job he had.

Soft noise drifted to her, cupboards opening and closing, a dull thud…then silence. Her stomach pitching, she hurried inside.

Dagan had stripped off his shirt and was trying, rather awkwardly, to clean his wound. She washed her hands of the blood, wiped them dry, and turned to him. “Let me.”

Pushing his fingers away and struggling to keep her emotions locked down at the steady flow of blood from the latest injury, she swabbed the lesion with disinfectant, then applied the green, mossy ointment and taped a dressing over it.

Lines of pain bracketed the corners of his mouth.

“Does it hurt?”

Those citrine eyes lifted to hers. He didn’t answer, just hauled her into his arms and buried his head against her nape. “For a moment out there, I thought I’d lost you.”

Shae put her arms around him, careful not to touch his injuries, and hugged him. “I couldn’t let her hurt you—I just couldn’t.”

He trailed his lips along her jaw then nipped her chin, hard. “You put yourself in danger again. Kaerys could have killed you!”

Ugh, the man had an elephant’s memory. “She didn’t, okay?” she grumbled, stepping away and rubbing her sore chin.

“Just because you possess those abilities, doesn’t mean you’re infallible—”

“I’m aware of that. But you were hurt, and I’ll do anything to make sure you’re safe!”

With a growl of frustration, he hauled her back and kissed her. No matter how mad she got with him, just a touch, and her anger melted. Before she lost herself in him, she pulled away. “Dagan, wait.”

A low, displeased growl rumbled from him. “What?”

“Look…” She petted his bare chest. “Kaerys is a manipulative bitch, there’s no doubt about that. But she spoke the truth. I can never give you what you need—”

“Shae,” he sighed heavily. “We’ve been through this.”

“And concluded nothing.”

He walked out of the dressing room.

Fighting not to snap, she followed and stepped in front of him near the huge fireplace. “The times we made love, I saw how hard it was for you, yet your control never broke. Not once. I’m not saying this will be easy. Just take a little at first...” Taking a deep breath, she held out her wrist, her heart thudding like a drumroll.

He stared at her for a long second as if considering her words—she hoped. He took her hand and pressed his lips to the blue veins clearly visible beneath her pale skin. “I’ll be fine.”

Her heart sank. No matter what she said, he refused to listen. Shae stiffened her spine. Hell, this was their life she was fighting for. “Is Nik here?”

Eyes narrowing, he shook his head.

He could wonder all he wanted, she wasn’t telling him crap, didn’t want him to arm-up. But there was someone else. “Týr!” she yelled.

“Dammit, Shae!”

She folded her arms and met his glare dead-on. Seconds later, the door flew open, and Týr thundered inside, a thick sandwich in his hand. “What? What’s wrong?”

“Will you stand guard while Dagan feeds from me? He’s scared he’ll hurt me.”

Týr halted a few feet from them and cut Dagan an unreadable look. “Yeah. Sure.”

At Dagan’s obdurate expression, she looked him dead in the eye. “You need female blood, it’s vital for you. If you won’t do this, then we can’t be together. I won’t stand by and watch you put your health—your life—on the line because of me.”

“You aren’t leaving,” he said, his tone cold. Resolute.

Hers turned flat. Determined. “The castle, no. You, yes.”

Her words were harsh, but it was a risk she had to take. More, she understood if this failed, Dagan would need a donor, but not Kaerys. Never that witch again. She’d find someone who wouldn’t expect him to pay in carnal pleasures. Yet, the very thought made her stomach hurt.

She held out her wrist again.

“I can hold out for a while,” he muttered wearily as if she were the difficult one.

“Yeah?” She lowered her hand, trailing her fingers down his ripped, lickable abs. His tummy muscles flexed, and his breathing deepened as she lightly traced the edges of the dressing she’d taped over his injury. Yes, she affected him the same way he did her. But her threats weren’t working. This was probably the only way to talk sense into his stubborn head.

She whacked him on the wound. Hard.

“Fuck.” Dagan staggered back, his eyes scalding her.

“Oh, did that hurt? I wonder why that is?” She arched a brow at his scowling features, daring him to comment. But bile rushed to her throat at hurting him.

He didn’t say a word, his hand on his wound. Obviously, he knew what she was about.

Damn stubborn immortal.

She said airily, “Maybe I should join the Guardians, hunt demoniis and other evil out there. Heck, I’m probably stronger anyway. Dagan can stay home and help Hedori—”

A terrifying snarl, like an animal finally snapping erupted. Shae had no idea what had hit her. One minute, she’d been taunting him; and the next, she was slammed into a wall, the air whooshing out of her flattened lungs. His hand wrapped around her hair, yanking her head back and baring her throat.

“Whoa, man!” Týr’s alarmed voice cut between them. “Easy there with your girl!”

“Back the fuck off.” His eyes a burning predator yellow edged with red focused solely on her. He dragged his warm tongue over her pulse, then his mouth fastened on her. Shae tensed. A sudden sharp pinch, and his fangs sank into her neck, then his tongue coaxed her blood to the surface as he sucked on her vein, each pull of her blood a delicious sensation.

Oh, dear God. Warmth filled her. Impossible desire took hold, spreading through her in a tremendous wave…

* * *

Dagan shifted his grip on her hair, tightening his hold on her body as he swallowed. His mind focused solely on the thick, warm nectar sliding down his throat… She was so damn delicious, he couldn’t feed fast enough—more—he wanted more. He sucked harder on her vein, another deep pull, and his starving psyche shuddered.

A gasp cut through his feeding haze. Nails digging into his biceps—no! Dammit—no!

He leaped away, his heart hurtling in his chest as if it were attached to a defibrillator. His back hit the window, his terrified gaze pinned on Shae.

A hand on her throat, she watched him warily. “It’s okay, I’m okay. You didn’t hurt me.”

He shook his head to clear the miasma. His body too tense, he prowled the length of the windowed wall and rolled his shoulders. No, he hadn’t hurt her…didn’t get caught up in bloodlust. But he felt odd…as if poised on the edge of a mountain, his skin all that held him together. His fangs throbbed in need, he wanted more so fucking bad. He scented blood.

“Dagan? What’s wrong?”

At the fear in her husky voice, his head snapped to her. She was still bleeding. Týr hurried to her side and laid his hand on her throat.

“You okay, man?” Týr asked, watching him intently.

Frowning, Dagan scratched the gauze taped to his side. He tore off the dressings and stared. The hellfire lesion from few days ago had knitted together. All that remained was a pink scab, and even the new injury was just a fading mark.

“You’re healing so fast?” Týr’s eyes widened. “Injuries from hellfire bolts take at least a day or so to mend when aided with Lila’s potions.”

Dagan snagged a dagger from the wall and sliced his palm. Blood welled, and just as fast, the wound closed. More, the lethargy that had held him in its grip for days had dissipated. He felt…revived. Stronger. His sight sharper, his smell heightened once more. Shae’s delicious fruity-spice fragrance crowded his senses, along with the tempting scent of her arousal. His own body tightened in response.

He lifted his gaze to where she stood, frozen. Tossing the dagger away, he crossed to her and pulled her into his arms, burying his face in the crook of her neck.

“You did this,” he whispered, voice raw and thick with emotions. There were no words to describe this rush of gratitude, of sheer happiness sweeping through him. “You healed me—saved me.”

Her arms tightened around him, and her shoulders shuddered. He stilled. But at the wetness on his bare chest, anxiety brutally hacked his joy. “Shae?” He cupped her face in his palms. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she whispered, her eyes wet. “I’m just so happy. I dreamed of this, wanted to be everything for you, and now…now, it’s finally happened.” More tears slipped free.

Gently, he wiped her wet cheeks with his thumbs. “I’m eternally grateful for whichever Fate decreed this. And that it’s you. I love you, my beautiful wildcat.”

He put his mouth on hers in a tender kiss, and she melted into him…

“Guess you don’t need me around any longer,” Týr’s dry voice came from afar.

Shae pulled away from him, making Dagan growl. A deep red flooded her cheeks. “You make me forget myself,” she muttered.

Hell, he’d forgotten about Týr, too, but he refrained from saying so.

The warrior grinned and picked up the scattered sandwich he’d dropped on the small table near the door. “Man, this is a mess. Later.”

“Týr, wait.”

He lifted a dark blond eyebrow and smirked. “What? You want a threesome?”

Even through the years, the bastard hadn’t changed with that dry—at times annoying—wit. But, hell, Dagan had really missed his old friend. He snorted. “Yeah, right.”

Laughing, Týr headed for the door.

“Thank you,” Dagan said quietly.

The warrior glanced back. Nodded. One corner of his mouth quirked. “I’ll be around for a while before I leave for patrol again. Need another sandwich.”

Dagan understood exactly what he meant; he’d wait until he knew all was safe with him and Shae. “I know.”

Týr froze. The shock and pain crossing his face at those two words—as if Dagan had yanked him out from an abyss—felt like a kick in his gut. So much hurt and enmity through the centuries.

“I need my sandwich,” Týr muttered and walked out.

* * *

As the door shut behind Týr, Shae turned to Dagan. “I’m glad you found your friend again.”

He nodded, his expression brooding. “All that agony, rage, and animosity for something I could have ended eons ago. But given the mess I was, I couldn’t see clearly. I was too steeped in bloodlust and anger.”

“You mended things now, and that’s what matters.”

He stroked her upper arms and lowered his brow to hers. “I think you had to come into my life and whack me upside the head first.”

Shae smiled and lightly ran her fingers over his healed wound. Then said softly, “I was so scared when you started shaking. Are you sure you’re okay?”

He brushed her hair away from her face. “Yeah.”

“But you didn’t feed long enough.”

He pressed his lips to her pulse in a tender kiss. “Stop worrying, I’m good for now.”

But she recalled the horrid demon-bolt wound on his side and knew it always carried an evil taint until completely healed.

“Dagan—” She pushed away from him. He was too distracting when she was trying to think. “You should feed a little more. It will give me peace of mind.” She gestured at the scab on his torso. “That wound still carries a stain...”

He stared at her for a long moment before he nodded. Taking her hand, he led her to the chaise lounge set near the undraped, night-dark windows. He sat down and pulled her onto his lap, the soft lights reflecting their images on the windowpane.

He smoothed her hair away from her neck. When she realized this was it, her lungs nearly shut down.

“Ready?”

“Jeez, don’t warn me, just do it.”

“And you sliced your wrist?” he drawled, amusement brightening his eyes.

She grimaced. “Yes, well, escaping from evil demons and such, the adrenaline rush can make you do things…”

Smiling, he lowered his mouth to her throat. At the sensation of his warm tongue circling her pulse in a predatory way, her heart rate escalated. His fangs lightly grazed her skin, the erotic teasing making her shiver. His mouth fastened over it and he sucked as if drawing her vein closer to the surface.

His fangs sank into her neck, and a delicious warmth spread through her, she barely felt the sting. Shae wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers tangled in his long hair, holding him close. He drank deeply. With every pull, it felt as if he were thrusting inside her. She rubbed herself against his rock-hard groin, a low moan escaping her.

Her fingers tugged on his hair, the edges of her consciousness clouding, and she sagged against him…

* * *

Shae’s motionless body cut through Dagan’s blood high. He tore his mouth away from her throat and licked the puncture wounds closed.

“Shae?” He grasped her face, her normally fair skin gone chalk-white.

Her eyelids fluttered open. “I’m okay… Just a little lightheaded.”

“Fuck! I took too much.”

“Yes, there was that risk, but you stopped, didn’t you?” She patted his chest. “Now I know you’ll be safe.”

“At your expense?” he snapped, furious at himself then he narrowed his eyes. “Did you eat?”

Her eyelids drifted closed. “I will…in a moment.”

“Godsdammit, Shae!” Choking back a violent volley of curses, he rose from the chaise lounge and carried her across to the massive bed. He set her on the cover and stacked the pillows behind her. “Don’t move.”

Pulling open the bedside drawer, he found her stash of candies, retrieved two, and gave them to her. “I’ll be right back.”

He flashed to the kitchen and grabbed a tray.

Hedori appeared from his quarters. “Sire, may I be of help?

“Yes. I need food for Shae. Her sugar level’s low,” he explained, his frustration at himself still riding high. Heavens, he was so damn grateful to be able to control his bloodlust and feed from his mate. But dammit, he had to be more careful with her and not aggravate her hypoglycemia.

Dagan stared through the window, rubbing the ache in his chest. She cared enough about him to put her life on the line—no one had ever done that for him.

The job didn’t count, they were all brothers in their fight against evil, and their fealty belonged to Gaia. Hell, he’d survived Tartarus, and he’d thought he could survive this too, living an almost mortal life. Truth was, he would have died far sooner. And Shae knew it, too.

“Dagan?”

He turned. Hedori nodded to the tray. “Thanks. How’s Jenna?” he asked.

“She sleeps…but in fitful snatches.” An undercurrent of anger scored the male’s stoic tone.

After being trapped in the Dark Realm, Dagan couldn’t blame her. The emotional and mental trauma she’d gone through—would continue to go through—hell, it was going to be a long haul. But knowing Shae was with her, he hoped it gave her some peace, at least.

Dagan headed upstairs to his quarters and found the bed empty. Dammit! He dropped the tray on the coffee table in the turret living room and headed for the dressing room. There she was, looking into the closet.

When she saw him, her lips curved in a smile.

“For godsakes, Shae! What the hell are you doing? Didn’t I tell you to stay put?” He swept her up into his arms and crossed to the living room.

“Dagan,” she sighed, curling her arms around his neck. “I want to change and go see Mom.”

“Later, when you’ve rested. You’re not going to be any good to her if you’re sick.”

Her loud exhale sounded a lot like a grumble as he set her on the settee. “You know best, oh master.”

He popped the soda and handed it to her. “It’s good you know that.”

She rolled her eyes. It didn’t deter him. He waited. Once she’d drunk some, he took the can, set it aside, then put the tray on her lap. “Eat.”

“You know I’m not an invalid, right?”

At her argumentative tone, he cut her a dark look. “If you won’t take care of yourself, then I will.”

Scrunching her nose at him, she uncovered the plate, picked up the spoon, and paused. “You know what’s weird? I haven’t eaten any Dextrose in the last two days, and I didn’t feel dizzy at all. Actually, all I felt was this energy and heat spiking inside me until you took my blood.”

He stared at her for a second. With her growing powers, it could be possible that parts of her were changing. “No matter, I’m not taking chances with your health. Eat.”

As she made inroads in her meal, Dagan sat on the coffee table, his mind on something else. Hell, he still wasn’t sure if he’d imagined it. “Shae, what did you eat earlier today?”

Lines puckered her brow. “Hmmm, I had a peanut butter sandwich and a banana. Why?”

His mouth kicked up in the corners. “Because I tasted it in your blood.”

“What?” Her spoon clattered to her plate, her eyes darkening in worry. “Is that a bad thing?”

“No. Just strange after all these millennia. It has just a hint of flavor…” he paused, trying to think of how to explain it to her. And failed. Hell, the only other thing he’d ever consumed was weak black coffee, water, or red wine. He’d completely forgotten the taste of solid food.

“Like blood-flavored red wine?” she teased.

Smiling, he kissed her on the pulse point that had given him the blessed relief he’d sought for a hundred lifetimes.

“What about the goddess? Didn’t you taste food with hers?” she asked.

“No.” He sat back and studied her. Shae was beautiful with that coppery-red hair, porcelain skin, and her gold-gray eyes. More, she completed him on so many levels, and now this. “I don’t know what it is about you. You’re human, yet your blood fulfills me in more ways than I expected.”

“Well, I’m your mate,” she said, picking up her spoon again. “And I also have these abilities, maybe that’s why.”

Perhaps.

After she’d eaten, he scooped her into his arms and put her back on the bed, pulling the covers over her. “I’ll be gone for the remainder of the night. And you rest.”

“All right.” She covered her mouth, smothering a yawn. “But I should check on Mom first.”

“Your mother’s asleep. Hedori told me. It’s been one helluva night with your new power emerging, then me feeding from you. So try and sleep, Shae-cat, ‘cause when I return, you’ll wish you had.” He kissed her brow. “I’ll see you later.”

She lifted her hand and stroked his whiskered jaw, her bracelets sliding back. “Okay.”

He pressed his lips to her wrist and saw the—fuck! With everything that had happened, he hadn’t had a chance to speak to her about the marking.

“Shae—” He drew her hand away from his face and sat on the bed. “When did you get this tattoo?”

She glanced at the thing, shrugged. “Probably after my dad died. I don’t recall.”

He had to unclench his jaw to explain what he’d learned. “This isn’t a tattoo. It’s a mating mark. Aza put it on you, and since you have no recollection, he probably blocked your memory of the incident.”

“What?” Her eyes widened in horror, then she glanced at the brand and went motionless.

“What is it?”

She chewed her lip.

His eyes narrowed, and his gut twisted. She knew something. “Shae?”

Her gaze lowered. She tugged her bracelets, before lining the three in a row and blocking the mark. “When my mom disappeared, I was devastated,” she said quietly. “Aza was at the penthouse the day after. He offered to help me find her, then asked me out on a date. I agreed, only because he was Other and I thought he could—”

Dagan jerked to his feet, unable to keep still, his fingers clenching so he wouldn’t ram his fist through something.

Her gaze rushed to him, then she continued, “As the weeks passed, he had no news, but he often came to the penthouse. I started to avoid him. Then Harvey said he’d help me find Mom. He told me about the broker demon. It was a sure thing to getting a lead on Mom. I told Aza I couldn’t date him anymore. He was a little upset when I broke it off, but he seemed to accept it. Dagan, I lost one parent, I couldn’t lose her, too.”

He didn’t say anything because if he spoke now, he’d probably yell at her for being so damn impulsive, and now she’d tied herself to a fucking psychotic Fallen.

He headed for the door then stopped. Shit. He couldn’t just leave her like this. It wasn’t her fault but that damn fucker. He rubbed his jaw and turned back. She hadn’t moved an inch, her expression pained. “Dagan—”

“It’s okay, baby. I’ll deal with this. I just want you to be careful. Anything that requires you being out of the castle, you call me. If he gets ahold of you, he’ll claim you, and that mark will nullify our bonding.”

“No!”

“Yes,” he said grimly. “I don’t have the patience to look for a way to remove that damn brand. I’m going to have to kill him.”