[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

to stab him in the heart.
But Melios disappeared in a puff of ash.
Leeza looked from Melios, or where Melios had been, to Liam and his sword. Liam stared
at his sword, then at the puff of ash.
As it settled, the answer was revealed.
The girl stood behind Melios s remains. A crude stake was in her hand, still held in position
where Melios s heart would have been. Ash fell down over her, making her face alabaster.
 Guess I could kill you, you bastard, she said, after blowing out a puff of air and making
the ash fly out of her face.
Candice Gilmer 137
The Templar with the dark hair, one that Leeza had never seen before, stood frozen for a
moment. He tipped his head to the side, looking at the girl. She glanced up at him.
 What?
 Come on, he said.  You can leave here now.
 Thank God, she muttered.
 Yes, Liam said, as he pulled Leeza in his arms, staring into her eyes.  Thank God.
Chapter 23
They d barely made it out of the building when the cleanup crew arrived.
Or rather the cleanup man.
Liam arched a brow at Holden as he climbed off the motorcycle he d driven over. Liam still
had Leeza under his arm, and she clung to him like her life depended on it. Ash had gotten in her
hair, making it look more gray than blond. He d tried a couple of times to brush it out, but nothing
seemed to get it.
She would just have to shower.
She was probably desperate for a shower.
 You found her, Holden said, his eyes roaming over Leeza.
Liam nodded.  Go do your thing.
Holden grinned.  Really, you have to find a better job for me than this.
Liam didn t say anything. Holden walked into the building, and within moments it was on
fire. The dragon crept through the building, careful to ignite at a slow rate so that everything looked
fairly explainable.
The Fire Chief appreciated that.
Leeza glanced at the building, the fire sticking its fingers out the windows as it crawled up
the building. Then she turned her head to Liam.  I m hungry.
 We will get you some food soon. He squeezed her against him, her body warm and soft
and& .
The craving hit him like an anvil.
She was holding on with all her strength, but the bites had started her body s natural response
patterns she was desperate for iron. More specifically, blood. Every part of her screamed for it,
well, almost every part. There was one other part that was just as desperate, but not for blood.
Her hormones were in overdrive as well.
 We need to go, she whispered.
Liam nodded.  Yes. Fast.
Looking around, he saw that Richard had the girl, and she stared at everything, her big eyes
taking in all the details around her. Richard guided her to a vehicle, though lost in his own thoughts.
Tomas and Ewan were talking with the wolves. Adrian was with Tabor, waiting on Holden
to finish.
Liam waved at Adrian. He stared at him for a second, then nodded as Liam jumped into one
of the sedans.
 Liam, you came for me. My Leeham, she whispered. He buckled her into the seat, tight
enough to make sure she wasn t going to get out. She moaned, holding her stomach.  I need& 
138
Candice Gilmer 139
He let out a sigh.  I know, baby, he heard himself say, and before he could stop himself, he
put his hand on her knee.  I know what you need. He hit the gas, and they flew through the night
toward the Templar compound. Her head flew back against the seat and she grabbed the restraints
of the seatbelt.
 Too tight, she whispered.
 It will keep you safe, he replied, not letting her take it off.  Just hold on, Leeza. Hold on.
 Scared. She shook her head.  So scared.
 I know. He patted her leg and she quieted down for a little bit, her head to the side, dozing
a bit.
His gut screamed in agony. His Leeza, his ethereal Leeza, being forced to become something
so horrible, so vile.
 Did he make me a monster? Leeza whispered after a few minutes.  It hurts so bad.
 We re going to find out, he replied.
 I don t want to be a monster. Liam, please. Don t let me be a monster.
 As you wish, Leeza.
 Leeza and Leeham. Leeza and Leeham. She yanked at the seatbelt again, trying to pull it
free, but he stopped her.
Right now, she needed to stay in her seat. Because when he got her back to the compound,
he d have a lot to explain.
Especially the part about letting her die.
* * * *
William watched from the door as Liam and the human girl arrived. He carried her inside
and she fought against him, her hands clawing at him as he brought her in the house.
This was not going to be pleasant. He glanced over his shoulder. Nicole stood there, wringing
her hands and pacing back and forth.
 We may need your assistance, William told her as he opened the front door.
Her eyes went wide.
Liam came in the door, carrying the woman they d gone after.
 Bring her downstairs, William told him. Liam nodded as he followed. William led the
procession, Liam carrying the girl, followed by the djinn Merle, Nicole, and Daniel, a first
generation vampire, one who could turn Leeza.
 How much has she been bitten? William asked.
 Twice, for certain, Liam said.
 Has she ingested any blood? the vampire Nicole asked.
 Don t know, Liam replied, nuzzling the woman s head and whispering words as she cried
out.
 She acts like it, Nicole said.
140 Broken Shine [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]