Shadowdance(129)

“You’ve broken from the Nex,” he said to Amaros.

“I was never with the Nex.” Amaros waved an idle hand. “I used them. Never think otherwise.”

“And yet you have recruited their agents.” Jack glanced pointedly at them. “The Nex will not simply let that go. Once Nex, always Nex. Isn’t that what they say?”

A soft grumble went around the room.

“They will come at you with everything they’ve got.” Jack said. “I give you free use of my blood. You may no longer need to restore your health, but it still has power.”

“So you would join my merry band? To cut ties with your new little family? With the SOS that you hold so dear?”

“They will understand,” Jack said quietly, as though sweat were not pouring down his back, as though the sight of Mary being debased did not drive him to one breath away from insane rage.

“What makes you believe you are even worthy of their regard?” Amaros sneered. “A thief, a killer, a sullen boy who hates the whole world.”

All of it was true. At one time or another he’d pushed away everyone and everything that mattered to him. He could be a right bastard, and knew full well when he was acting the part. Was he worthy? He glanced at Mary. A fleeting look. He didn’t need it, really. Every inch of her was committed to his memory. She’d live there until the end of time.

“She loves me,” he said.

“What?”

Jack’s conviction made him strong. “Because that woman loves me. Because my family, my true family, loves me. That is why I am worthy. Because they are the most worthy, brave, loyal people I know. And if they see something in me that is worth loving, despite my many flaws, then that is all the proof I need.” He took a step closer. “It is all I need.”

He was loved. And it wasn’t going to be taken away.

“She is my slave.” Amaros grinned. “Any loving Miss Chase shall be doing will be with me.”

Jack laughed without humor. “Bloody hell, I never thought I’d see the day a fallen was led about by his cock.”

Amaros leaned forward in his chair. “You’re here because of your cock, boy.”

“No, I’m here because of love. Do you love her?”

Amaros snorted.

“I did not believe so,” Jack said. “So now I’m wondering why you hesitate to take my blood. Tell me, Amaros, are you afraid that it will harm your new GIM body?”

“A nice ploy, my boy.” Amaros leaned back in his chair and hauled Mary closer. “However, since you insist on taunting, I believe we can accommodate your desire to give up your blood. Call your sacrifice a gesture of good faith. Then I shall consider the matter.”

Jack stood still as two raptors approached him. One female and one male. They hummed in appreciation as they drew near. The first touch crawled over his skin. He kept his gaze upon Mary.

“I remember you,” said the male. A cold tongue touched Jack’s ear, and he flinched. “Do you remember me?”

Nausea rolled within him. “Yes.” Too well.

A little laugh rumbled in his ear. Then those vile lips were on his neck. He did not cry out as fangs broke his skin and the taut pulls began. He kept his attention on Mary. For her he could endure anything. But he had underestimated his resolve in one fatal way.

Amaros’s hand dug beneath Mary’s bodice. And Jack’s world went red.





Chapter Thirty-Four





The moment the fallen touched her, Mary knew what would happen. But she hadn’t expected the ferocity of Jack’s response. His nostrils flared wide and, in the next instant, he burst free of his tormentors with a roar of sheer rage. His bloodstained shirt fluttered to the floor as a pair of massive black wings appeared on his back with a crisp snap.

There was a moment’s silence and then chaos as Jack ripped into the demons with fangs and claws. None of them had a chance. They were paper dolls in his hands, torn asunder in a blur of fury.

Beside her, Amaros simply laughed as the blood flowed and the demons scrambled to get away.

She had to get to Jack, tell him what needed to be done. And then she needed to die. She’d known that the minute she’d made her bargain. Unfortunately, since she was a slave, there was only one way to get close to Jack. Mary eyed Amaros. Arrogance had been the downfall of many a better male than this one. Mary would use it now, and pray that he took the bait.

“He’ll be coming for you,” she said to him. God, she wanted to claw the fallen’s eyes out, slice into him the way Jack was cutting through those who’d tormented him.

“Oh yes,” Amaros said with another chuckle. “And I’ll suck him dry and eat his marrow.”