It was Heather who answered. “At describing sexualtension.”
Kara didn’t know what to say to that, so she looked back at the couple who was now pacing each other the way Adam and Gustavo had just done. “They’re circling one another. Crina’s eyes are glowing and OOOOOHHHH,” Kara called out at the same time Stella said the exact samething.
“What? What happened? Spit it out,” Heather said, practically bouncing whereshesat.
“Crina just swiped out a clawed hand across Adam’s face,”Karasaid.
“EWW,”Stellasaid.
“Gross,” Kara added. “He just swiped a finger across the scratches and licked the blood from his finger as he winkedather.”
“You know I like it when your wolf comes out to play, pussy cat,” Adam tauntedhismate.
“I don’t like it when you use your magic on me.” She growled at him. “Youknowthat.”
“That’s not entirely true, babe. I’m pretty sure, if I’m remembering correctly, which I am, that the last time I used my magic on you”—he paused and grinned big— “pun intended. The last time I used my magic on you, your exactwordswere—”
“ADAM.” Crina took a steptowardhim.
“Your exact words were, ‘If you stop, I’llgutyou.’”
Kara’s mouth dropped open, and Stella covered hers withherhand.
“That must have been some good magic,” Heather said and then whistled. “Maybe I should try and find me a fae male for aconsort.”
For just a second, Crina turned her attention from her mate to the girls. “Please, please, I’m begging you, say that in front of your mate”—she paused and then gave her own grin—“while my mate isnearhim.”
Adam’s grin dropped. “Pussy cat, that’s justcruel.”
Kara tried really hard but couldn’t stop the laughter. She clamped her lips closed as her shoulders shook and slapped her hand over hermouth.
Stella was doing the samething.
It was just so hilarious watching Crina growl at her mate while he teased her about their sex life right in front of them. The man had noshame.
Adam and Crina’s heads snapped to the right at the same time when Gustavo moved. He stood, turned his back on all of them, and disappeared into the cover of theforest.
Adam looked at his mate. “This isn’t over,” he said and then headed into the woods to, no doubt, keep an eye on the unpredictableAlphawolf.
“Well, that was fun,” Heather said with a sigh as she leaned back againstthelog.
“You have a very twisted idea of fun.” Kara breathed out as she wiped the tears of laughter that had gathered inhereyes.
Heather chuckled. “Yeah, well, when you’ve been blind all your life, you get your kicks where you can. Now…” She clapped her hands together and then rubbed them. “Crina, I think it’s high time we had a girl pow wow and you tell us exactly what kind of magic your man was using on you that made you willing to gut him if hestopped.”
* * *
Anna didn’t knowhow long it had been since she had passed out from the pain. And she couldn’t accurately say how long she and Jewel had been at the mercy of the vampire. She had no idea how many times her skin had been carved on by the fae blade; she’d lost count some time ago. All she knew was pain. And the only time she was distracted from her pain, other than when she lost consciousness, was when she was connected tohermate.
She blinked several times and felt again what must have woken her. Rage like she’d never known flooded her body. She had the sudden urge to kill anything and anyone who dared get too close to her. Her mind was clouded with a haze of violence as the roar of a beast filled her ears. Gustavo. His fury came through the bond like a tidal wave and overwhelmed her. She shook her head, attempting to clear her mind enough to separate his feelings from her own, but Gustavo’s wrath was all consuming. She didn’t understand where it was coming from. What had set him off? When she’d pulled back from his mind the last time, she’d opened the bond enough for him to speak to her. He’d been frustrated but not enraged. Angry, yes, but not out of control. This was something entirelydifferent.
“Gustavo?”She reached for him, but he didn’t respond. He was focused on something else. She could feel his concentration. She didn’t know what to do, but she knew their connection was powerful. She’d felt him touch her hair and skin even though he was only thinking of doing it. Maybe she could do the same and draw him backtoher.
Anna pictured the man she remembered from her dream when she’d met him for the first time. He was breathtakingly beautiful. She imagined her fingers running over his face, tracing his regal cheek bones, then across his brow, smoothing the frown from his face. She blew on his face gently and smiled at his surprised eyes.“Come back to me,”she whispered.“Come bewithme.”
“Anna.”He breathed out her name as if it was the most precious word he’d everused.“Anna.”
“I’m here. I need you here with me,”she told him, hoping she would be able to draw him back away from the brink of destruction, where she knew he washeaded.
