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Eden clung to Blaze as he growled his disgust. Her gaze locked with his, and panic flared through her.

“Get him out of the cage,” Madrie said. “Let’s find out exactly how badly his parents want him back.”

“No!” Eden clung to Blaze as they opened the door of the cage. “You’re not having him.”

“If she causes you a problem, shoot her again,” Madrie said. “I’m running low on food for some of the animals. Her carcass will come in useful.”

She kicked out as they tried to move Blaze. Her shoulder flared a painful warning that she was injured and running on empty.

“Don’t fight them,” Blaze whispered. “They’ll kill you.”

“I can’t let them take you.” She continued to cling to him.

“Move,” Madrie said.

Blaze grabbed her face with his hands. “Even when I’m not beside you, I’ll always be looking out for you.” He slammed his mouth onto hers, the kiss rough and breath stealing.

A bolt of what felt like electricity surged through Eden. She gasped and tried to struggle out of his grip and break their connection.

Blaze held on tight, digging in his fingers and continuing to pump huge amounts of Apexian energy into her.

The pain from her injuries faded as his strength flooded her with vitality.

“Enough!” Madrie roared. “Bring him out.”

Eden gasped as their connection was lost, the taste of Blaze on her lips. Her body tingled but not with desire. He’d given her a gift she could never return and didn’t want. The last of his strength.

Blaze staggered for a few seconds outside the cage before collapsing.

Eden cried out, her limbs shaking as an intense heat flooded through her, drenching her in sweat.

She couldn’t stop staring at Blaze as horror crawled up her throat. He needed this energy to heal. Without it, he’d die.

He’d never given her so much Apexian energy before. She’d always avoided energy sharing because of the bond it developed between them.

His smell engulfed her as her eyesight was enhanced and her limbs grew strong. Even the wound on her shoulder was barely noticeable.

Despair flooded through Eden. Blaze would be defenseless. He’d have no way of fighting back.

Her heart lodged in her throat as he was dragged away. He’d given her a fighting chance. But in doing so, he’d sacrificed himself.

***

An icy, biting coldflooded through Blaze as he was dragged away from Eden.

He was so weak, he couldn’t even lift his head to get a final glimpse of her. But he knew every inch of her face. He’d never forget her.

Blaze clung to those three words Eden had said to him. She loved him. She wanted to be with him. That single thought kept him alive. Even as the ice plunged through his veins, draining away the last of his energy, he kept hold of her gentle voice as she told him exactly how she felt.

He had to give her a chance. Eden was a fighter. If there was an opportunity to win, she’d take it. And now, she was full of his Apexian energy.

It was always weirdly amazing when Human and Apexian energies combined. They complemented each other, making Humans practically invincible. It also made them fearless and violent.

Eden already had a quick temper, and his energy boost guaranteed that she’d fight hard and dirty against any Pecket who dared go near her.

She had a chance to live and get away. And she’d better damn well take that chance.

It was too late for him. He’d given her everything. He’d wanted to. She’d shown him what real love and passion were all about. It was full of intense, uncontrollable emotions he’d never felt possible.