Free Shadow of the Vampire by Meagan Hatfield Page B

one."
              A booted heel slammed into his ribs, sending him back over, and a fist cracked across his face, followed by another and another. Declan coughed, spitting out the stream of blood flooding his mouth onto the pristine white floor by his feet.
              As he watched the red flow between the tiles, a shadow darkened over him.
              "That was for drinking from what's mine." Lotharus's knee kicked into his gut, once, twice. Usually, Declan could handle these simple hits. But the collar acted like some sort of muscle relaxer. He couldn't tighten his abs and block the blows. Instead, each one sank deep into his body, crushing his lung and perhaps a rib or two in the process.
              As Declan fought against the bolts of agony wrenching his gut, Lotharus squatted in front of him. "And that is for trying to claim her," he said before standing and walking away.
              Declan smiled through the pain. So that was what this was all about? The girl? His smile turned into a chuckle. The chuckle morphed into an outright laugh. The footfalls stopped. Lotharus held his hands twined at the base of his spine. His demeanor and poise looked calm, composed. However, his actions had already given him away. Something about Declan touching that girl made Lotharus livid, even more so than the notion that Declan had the crystal.
              "What do you find so amusing this time?"
              Declan laughed again, stretching the cut on his split lip. He ignored the twinge. "I don't know what's funnier. The fact that she came to me like a bee to honey, or the fact that you're jealous."
              With blinding speed, the vampire stood in front of Declan. "I can't be jealous of what's already mine," he spat. "I think it's you who is jealous. You fed from her once. I can only imagine the rush of power that flowed through you at the taste of her."
              Declan's smile fled. His fangs itched at the memory. Clamping down on his jaw, he fought the truth of the monster's words.
              "She's beautiful and ripe for the taking. I imagine you'd like to feel her beneath you again. Like to have those soft lips of hers on your skin. Be able to feel the amazing heat of her body swallow you, as I can--and, believe me, I do."
              Lotharus's words stabbed through him with irrational precision. Narrowing his eyes, he met the black ones staring down at him.
              "At least when I had her beneath me," he said through clenched teeth, "I didn't have to force her there."
              A feminine gasp rent the air. Declan snapped his focus over Lotharus's shoulder. His eyes immediately settled on Alexia. The pale blue, floor-length V-cut negligee and wrapper she wore set off the golden color of her hair. She looked ethereal, beautiful and shocked. And to see her standing beside that bed brought the dream vision back into glaring focus.
              "What did you say?" Lotharus's growled words held the distinctive tone of a covetous male.
              Declan switched his gaze back to him. "You heard me, you sick fuck. Are you so pathetic you have to rape to get laid, or do you just get off on terrifying innocent females?"
              The anger in Lotharus's stare multiplied. Shaking with rage, he lunged for the fireplace, grabbing a silver poker from the stand.
              Alexia rushed forward, taking his arm. "Lotharus, no--"
              Without missing a step, he turned, backhanding her. Instinctively, Declan's entire body lunged to protect her. His muscles strained against the iron bindings. However, all thoughts of helping her fled when Lotharus swung back around, impaling the poker where he'd landed his fists moments before.
              The sharp burst of pain in his gut momentarily debilitated Declan. He couldn't see, think or hear, but only focus on the blinding agony