I gaze up at him, shifting under him to wrap my legs around his hips. He settles between my thighs with a moan. “You can’t stop me. What you can do is tell me how to get there so that I won’t have to put myself in danger finding out.”
He squeezes my throat ever so slightly. “You will not, little bird. Stay with Maeve. Stay safe.”
I lift my hips to grind against him. “I will not give up on you, Damien. Never. I know the queen is dangerous and my coming for you is foolhardy, but I can’t let you go. Not any more than you could let me go if I were in here.”
He shakes his head, his red-rimmed eyes meeting mine. “I would stop at nothing.”
“I will stop at nothing.”
He growls and climbs off me, seeming to realize that he’s in his monster form in this dream. He spreads his wings. They’re riddled with holes where the sun has burned through them, and I can’t stop my gasp. With a wince of concentration, they’re gone. He shifts into his human form, dapper and attractive again. I wonder how much energy it costs him. “You don’t understand. As your mate, I am your protector. Keeping you away from Night Haven is the only way I can do that.”
I sigh. “Right now I think it’s you who needs my protection. It’s you who needs rescuing.”
He hisses and draws back like I’ve offended him deeply.
I hold up my hands. “Don’t you see that you are protecting me by saving yourself? If I lose you, my life will be nothing.”
He stands straighter.
“I can find a way to get you out. We will survive this.”
“Give me time. I will escape and come to you,” he promises, but I can hear the skepticism in his voice. Even he knows that he won’t get out without help.
The clock chimes. It’s now or never. I need to convince him to tell me how to find Cassius. “Fine,” I say, and he sighs in relief. “Tell me where to find Cassius, and I will go to him and ask for his help rather than come myself.”
Damien frowns but seems to contemplate this for a minute. “Cassius is my nearest and dearest friend.”
“Then he’s sure to help,” I say. “Please…”
“He may.” Damien grinds his teeth, seeming to come to terms with the idea. “If he can’t, he will protect you. I trust him.”
I nod. “Where can I find him? I’ll go to him. I’ll tell him what’s happened.”
“If he doesn’t know by now, he suspects.” Damien moves closer, his expression growing resolute. He wants me to let it go, to leave it alone. Visiting Cassius digs me in deeper, but I can tell that this friend is our last hope.
“Where?” I demand again.
“Chicago. 111 E Bellevue.”
I make a note of it. I’ll fly out as soon as possible.
“Thank you.” I close the space between us and wrap my arms around him. He nuzzles my ear, my hair, my neck. His lips brush over my vein. “Drink,” I urge. “You need to survive until he can get to you.”
I hear him swallow. It’s a rough, hungry sound. “Eloise…”
“Yes?”
“I’m sorry.” He strikes hard and fast. I melt against him as he drinks. His rhythmic gulps of my blood soothe me. He needs it more than I do. And as always, the act makes pleasure bloom in my core. The tips of my breasts harden to taut peaks and, an ache blooms low in my belly. But before I can act on my desire, fatigue overcomes me and it’s his arms holding me up instead of my legs. I slump, but he keeps drinking.
“Damien.” I slap his shoulder. “Stop. That’s enough.”
He growls like an animal and sinks his teeth in deeper.
“Stop!” I say again, and this time I’m begging. My chest hurts and dark spots are circling. If I’m feeling that in a dream, what must my physical body be going through?
Damien clamps his arms around my shoulders and gulps and gulps and gulps. So weak… My head rolls back on my shoulders, and I spot my anchor through heavy lids. Feeling the strong web between me and it, I reach my hand out toward it.
Darkness closes in as the clock rushes toward me. Rushes straight toward my hand.
