lovelies would like to have another round.” He feigned a yawn, then delivered the checkmate. “But personally, I’ve grown tired of this back and forth. So…what do you say, babe? Can you live with Sage taking your place with me?”
When Angel shook her head in defeat, Sage’s mouth dropped open and a speechless expression traversed her face.
“No. I can’t live with that. I lived a lie for thirty years. I won’t live the rest of my life hiding behind another. You win, Blade.”
“Well, I’ll be damned!” Blade’s face brightened with a triumphant smile. “ Little Miss Innocent has integrity and guts. You’ll make a superb mate.”
“Angel, no,” Sage said with tears running down her cheeks. “Let me handle him.”
“I won’t let you be bound to him because of me.”
The time had come for her to conquer past demons. Nahtosha hadn’t let her down yet and she had faith in her love.
“This is the only way to ensure he doesn’t unleash my secret,” Sage cried in open despair. “I don’t want anyone else to know I’m a blood-dragon and you belong with Savaant. You shouldn’t be the one to suffer because I chose to bite Blade.”
“Nobody should be forced to live under blackmail.” She slanted Sage a furtive look.
“No, Angel, please…don’t.”
Blade waved Sage off. “Stay out of this. She has made her decision.”
Sage began struggling against the leather bindings. “I won’t be your witness. I won’t!”
He grabbed her by the hair. “You will or everyone will find out what you are and there’ll be no place to hide. You’ll be a hunted woman if you stay on the island.”
Sage slunk back in apparent defeat. He seemed to have sealed both ends.
Angel gave a slight shake of her head before Blade turned back toward her.
Trust me. She willed her thoughts to Sage and received a quizzical look in return. She braced herself for his approach with a silent prayer that she had not overestimated her instincts or the power of love.
“Now…” Blade sighed with open desire, clearly aroused over what he planned to do. “If we can just get on with the formalities here. Once I’ve tasted your blood, Savaant’s power will be mine and you’ll be compelled by the legend to return my bite and become bound to the superior male for eternity…as my mate.” His eyes shone with iniquitous lust.
The fact that he considered himself superior nauseated her. Yet she choked back the bile and stayed strong.
When Blade slid onto the bed, she used years of self-discipline to remain focused. Saving Sage from a hellish fate was the brave thing to do. Years of cowering beneath Eric’s blackmail had left a bitter taste—a taste she wanted rid of once and for all.
She’d never trusted anything more than the love between her and Savaant. And she hadn’t come this far to turn back to her old ways now.
Relax… She told herself.
She caught the smug expression on Blade’s face before he positioned himself behind her to keep Sage in his sights, making sure that she watched. Even though Angel had consented to his demands, he’d not released the chain binding her ankles but for some reason hadn’t bound her hands.
No fear! She repeated the words Savaant had given over and over in her mind, clutching the tiny piece of plastic with all her strength until it cut into her palm. A rush of heat raced up her arm as the pick drew blood from the cut. Though Blade now had his hands in her hair and lips at her neck, she fought back the vile taste of fear.
Suddenly another voice flooded her mind. Mon Coeur. Reach out to me! I hear you.
Savaant! You are so close. I have a piece of your heart in my hand. She closed her eyes to focus and tighten their connection.
No, my love, you hold my whole heart in your hand.
Savaant…my heart!
She felt Blade’s teeth at her neck preparing to bite down.
“Prepare for the hottest bite you’ve ever had,” Blade said with utter arrogance.
“I do believe she’s already
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