Free Retribution (Redemption Series) by R.K. Ryals Page A

running the rock across
my arm quickly. The blood that beaded up was red and thick and I held it up to
his face.
    "Drink," I ordered.
    I didn't know if having Angel blood in
him would work, but it was worth a shot. Demon blood had gotten me into the
ring. Why couldn't Angel blood get us both out?
    Marcas just stared at
the cut on my arm, his eyes going redder, his teeth growing.
    "This may not work. I'll still have
Demon blood in me, Dayton," he said.
    Maybe it wouldn't work, but it was all
we had.
    "Take as much blood as you need
then. I trust you to stop before it's too much. With that much Angel blood in
you, the ring couldn't keep you."
    Marcas smiled sadly.
    "Maybe," he said.
    I used my free hand to push his face up.
    "Drink. For me. If it doesn't work, then at least I know I tried,
and then when we're out of here, we'll be free. You won't be bound to me
anymore. Your mission is complete. And you will be alive. It's all I care
about.
    Marcas ' unreadable
gaze softened, his eyes shining, and I saw an emotion there I never thought I'd
see. It made tears well up behind my eyes, and I fought them back desperately.
    "You're wrong. I'll still be bound
to you," he said softly.
    My heart would never be the same. I held
my wrist up higher.
    "Drink."
    This time Marcas didn't argue, and I gritted my teeth as he licked the cut before biting me.
Without his powers, he couldn't make it painless, and I was determined not to
scream as he drank his fill. There were black spots building in the corners of
my eyes, and I knew he was taking a lot of blood, but I didn't fight him.
    "What do you plan to do once you're
out," I asked slowly, my words slurred as he finally pulled away. The
question was as much a distraction from the pain in my arm as it was curiosity.
      I
could feel my knees buckling, but I didn't go down. Marcas '
body was surrounded by light, and I knew my power was moving over us both,
gliding down Marcas ' arms to the chains that bound
him. I watched absently as they fell away, and only then did I let myself fall.
His arms went around me. If he was weak from his time in bondage, it wasn't
obvious, my power already healing wounds that would normally take weeks to
heal.
    Marcas ' grip was
tight. It was bold, and he leaned over me, one arm going under my neck, the
other under my legs as he lifted me up effortlessly. I had lost too much
weight. His eyes met mine, and even though my vision was blurry, I didn't miss
his smile.
    "I plan to start a war in
Hell," he said.
    He was suddenly an avenging Angel in the
guise of a Demon, and I felt the corners of my mouth lift.
    "That's the sexiest thing I think
I've ever heard you say," I whispered as the world around us began to
shake.
    Marcas leaned against
the rock as the world shifted, and I giggled.
    "I'm really woozy," I said as
I laughed.
    Marcas chuckled.
    "No, you're lightheaded."
    I gazed up at him.
    "Then the world isn't moving?"
I asked.
    Marcas ' brows lifted.
    "Oh no, the world is definitely
moving," he said, his voice tinged with amusement.
    Even joking as he was, I saw the serious
glint deep in his eyes, and I knew my time was up. Weak or no, lightheaded or
not, my time was up.
    "Dayton . . ." Marcas whispered, his mouth
suddenly near my ear. I shuddered as his breath moved over my neck.
"Remember this. Even if it didn't work, even if the Seal claims me, it was
worth it. Understood?"
    I nodded, my eyes moving to meet his. He
was so close.
    "I love you."
    This time, there was no mistaking his
words, and I had started to say them back, had started to open my mouth when
the shaking grew so violent, there was no opportunity
for words. I did the next best thing. I held on for dear life, digging my nails
into his skin to keep from getting separated, and prayed.

 
    Chapter 9

 
    The decisions made now will not only affect the
people involved, it will affect the world.

 
    ~ Bezaliel ~

 
    The shaking was relentless, and I
clutched desperately at Marcas . I hadn't come