Survivor - By Kaye Draper Page 0,68

squared my shoulders and pulled it together. He relaxed his posture, and I tried to match my aura to his, willing the tension to leave my body. I shouldn’t let myself get so worked up, especially not without Peter nearby to reel me in if I lost it.

Then I heard it- the deep, heavy rhythm of a warm, beating heart. Haine heard it too. He instantly closed the distance between us, pressing me against the tree while I fought a losing battle with my instincts. I was already on edge because of Haine’s little request. This was just too much. My breath came in ragged pants and everything went red around the edges, as if I was looking at the world through a bloody tunnel. My fists clenched and I ground my teeth together, but the jogger was coming closer. I could smell his sweat, and the joyful endorphins of his runner’s high. My throat ached and I strained against Haine, baring my teeth at him when he refused to let me go.

“Shhh...” he cooed. “Melody, take shallow breaths. You don’t want this. This isn’t you.”

I clawed at his imprisoning arms and twisted my body like a wild thing, doing anything I could to escape. I was almost there. I grinned, knowing I was about to slip Haine’s grasp. The jogger’s pace was slowing. He had caught sight of Haine and me. I could feel his mild worry. He was probably wondering if the man was hurting me. If he needed to step in and help. Yes, I thought hungrily. Just a little closer.

Haine glanced over his shoulder, taking in the jogger’s altered trajectory. Then he shifted his body to shield me from view. He wrapped his arms around me and bent close, as if for a kiss. With a soft growl, I buried my teeth in his neck.

His blood was unlike anything I had ever experienced. It flowed into me, filling me with power. Ecstasy lit though me like wildfire, and I pushed closer, pulling at him hungrily. Panic pulsed thorough me as I realized that I would never be able to stop on my own. He chuckled and stroked my head tenderly. “Don’t be afraid,” he whispered. “It’s only my age. It’s not your fault. Take your fill.” The jogger’s steps faltered, then picked up again, a bit quicker than before. He hastened on his way, leaving the two lovers entwined under the spreading branches of an old oak.

I closed my eyes and lost myself in Haine, bathing in his ancient aura. Finally, he moved his hands to my shoulders, gently urging me back. It took more effort than anything I had ever done in my entire life just to let go of his neck.

I sat back, embarrassed. “Thank you.” I shuddered at how quickly I had almost murdered an innocent person. Haine stepped back and ruffled my hair, winning a glare. “Are we bonded now?”

He smiled. “You’ll probably only notice the connection if either of us are in danger, or in need of the other.” I continued to glare. He’d gotten his way, damn him.

“I asked if you trust me,” he said quietly. “There are other reasons for me to share my blood with you- reasons I cannot speak of. I can only say that I think it will be of some help in the future.” He was frustrated. I could feel emotions coiling around him like snakes, tangled and slippery. I thought maybe even he didn’t know what he was feeling. But he was asking me to trust him.

I closed my eyes, not believing what I had done. When I opened them, he was close, towering over me. He gazed down at me with those beautiful blue eyes. “Melody, this is very important.” He grasped my shoulders, squeezing hard for emphasis. “If I ever try to bite you, no matter what, let it happen. Don’t try to stop me.”

I nodded and stepped away, feeling awkward. Haine gave me a half smile and headed back down the path. “Come on, I’ll walk you back.”

Peter met us on the path just before we got back to the bar. He was furious. “Melody, how could you wander off? I trusted you to stay near.” His green eyes were irate, but he wasn’t vamping out, which was a good sign.

Haine held up his hands in surrender. “I took her for a walk. I made sure she was safe.” I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes. Safe from everyone but