Power sang through his blood as he sent healing cells to his ankle. The bone quickly snapped back into place and was mended with invisible but perfectly accurate blood stitches.
He looked up at the iron chain connecting the cuffs on his wrists. Grunting, he yanked as hard as he could, and the hook wrenched right out of the stone, sending little rocks spiraling down his back. He lowered his arms from over his head to rest in his lap and studied the chain.
Leah’s blood made him more powerful than ever before. Energy ignited nerves throughout his body, and his brain waves rapidly increased in speed.
Interesting. Pulling his still good leg to his chest, he tightened the chain against his foot and, in one swift motion, yanked back his arms and pushed his leg forward. The chain snapped in two.
“Nice job.” Leah struggled with her restraints, her voice breathy.
He pushed to his feet and gingerly put weight on his injured ankle. The bones felt nearly healed. Her blood was amazing—a true elixir with magical properties. For him.
He reached for the chain above her head with one hand and pulled the securing hook loose, careful to slide his free hand over her head to protect her from the rocks that rained down. Using both hands, he ripped the chain apart.
She looked at the cuffs on her wrists. “How do we get these off?”
He spun one around until he could see the clasp and, using both hands, slid his fingers between her thin skin and the metal. He tore one open and then reached for the other, keeping her safe.
This close, her sweet scent filled his head. A growl rumbled up from his chest.
Her head jerked, and her wide-eyed gaze met his.
Yeah. He could smell her desire, as well. “We’re finished with the long-distance relationship, Leah.” Without needing to look, he tore open the cuffs on his wrists. Just a little blood from her, from his mate, and immortality sang through his veins.
“I can’t believe they used me as bait.” She wiped several small chips of rocks and sequins off her dress to land on the hard-packed floor.
He gently lifted her by the biceps, and more blue sequins rained down. “Don’t worry about it.”
She blinked, her brain finally catching up to the moment. “You knowingly walked into a trap?”
“Of course. They had my mate.” He brushed rock dust off her bare shoulder, enthralled by the smoothness of her sweet skin.
A fine tremble he could feel went through her body. Was it his touch or his statement? Both? He’d given her spacethese many decades, and she no doubt didn’t understand the possessiveness filling his pores. He’d have to find a calming way to explain it to her, although her instincts had always been excellent.
Her gaze dropped from his. “What’s our plan?” She pushed some wild hair off her face. “I lost my purse and any evidence I had against a child trafficker. I need to find the clutch. Or, alternatively, the bastard who trafficked the kids. We may need to make him talk, and my window to get answers is probably less than three hours.”
He admired her grit. Sometimes, he forgot that they’d met when she was injured while working as a spy. “Actually, we need to discuss you not staying where I put you.” His voice went dominantly low.
Chapter Eight
Jasper stared at the female who wasn’t heeding his warnings. At. All.
“Right now?” Leah punctuated her words with both arms in the air.
Good point. “No, but soon.” Unable to help himself, he set two knuckles beneath her chin and lifted her face. His lips took hers. Sweetness and spice—all her. Fire lanced through him, landing hard in his groin. She murmured something into his mouth that coasted down to land in his heart. He deepened the kiss, wrapping an arm around her back to keep the rock wall from scratching her fragile skin.
Power and energy roared through him, drowning out caution. She tasted like everything he’d ever need. Partially lifting her against him, he groaned as her breasts brushed his chest, even with clothing in the way.
She returned his kiss, a soft sound of surrender whispering from her.
With more control than he knew he possessed, he released her mouth and gently placed her on her bare feet. Her three-inch heels were across the room as if she’d kicked them there. “Shoes or not?” He had no idea if she could move in them. “We’ll have to run.”
“No shoes,” she breathed, her chest rising and falling rapidly. “My feet are tough, and I can’t do much in those. I’d break an ankle.”
“I can carry you.” However, that would present a problem if he needed to fight.
She shook her head, one trembling finger touching her swollen bottom lip. “The ground is smooth, and I can run for now. If it gets too rocky, I’ll let you know.”
He’d always loved her practical side. “Okay. For now, follow me.” He turned and headed down the lone tunnel, pausing when it split three ways. Straight ahead would lead them to the convention center, but knowing that’s where he’d try to go, more than one Kurjan would be guarding that exit. He didn’t know about the path to the west, but the left turn went east, and he could pick up weapons at Benny’s before heading back to the convention center.
