Free What Rough Beast [Blood Oath 1] by Kari Gregg Page A

blood from Garrick's jugular.
    Her heart jumped.
    Her mind screamed no, and a tight ball of panic lodged in her throat as she imagined the knife carving through his throat.
    "Not as sexy as a sword, but the blade will separate your head from your shoulders nonetheless.” Luc's smile didn't reach his eyes. “And I won't care if you thank me."
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Chapter Five
    He'd do it.
    Kate didn't know where the dagger had come from, but she read the truth in the ruthless glitter in Luc's black eyes. He'd slash through Garrick's neck with the same ease he'd spread butter on warm toast.
    Kate gulped. Sick terror churned in her belly, not of Garrick but for him.
    "Time is a luxury my control can ill afford. You understand that now?"
    In spite of the dagger or perhaps because of it, Garrick's gaze, always before so carefully empty, shone now with an agony of need and encroaching madness that ripped at Kate with the same ferocity as her fear. She should be afraid of him. And she was. Her mind shrieked in warning, but the awakening arousal inside her wouldn't be denied, nor could she turn away from the torment he'd kept hidden away.
    She lifted her hand, reaching for him before she realized she'd left the cradle of Luc's embrace. She slid to Garrick, so close she steeped her senses for the first time in the woodsy, earthy scent of him, and her touch skated the hard line of his jaw.
    Her eyes focused on the droplet of blood the dagger had released. Shaking with nerves and need, she batted the blade away. She swept rich scarlet onto the tip of her finger, distantly surprised by the slick heat. Kate drew it to her lips and licked the drop clean.
    Her eyes snapped shut.
    She sucked in a sharp breath.
    Because it was good.
    He tasted of heat and extravagant ferocity. The sharp slap of brutality that spiced his blood only added to the banquet even so stingy a sampling offered her. Where Luc's blood was a safe harbor, Garrick's was a tempest of dark promise.
    She wanted more.
    She needed more.
    Shivery hunger streaked up her spine.
    Her lashes lifted so that Kate stared into the dead blue eyes that had so frightened her before. Hers widened in stunned wonder. “You're bleeding."
    She leaned forward to lick the wound clean.
    "God have mercy.” Garrick's body tightened. His hands fisted at his side, muscles cording. “ Do something , Luc, or I swear before Holy Jesus—"
    "No.” Luc grabbed her arm to jerk her back. “No, bebe."
    "What? Wait. Don't.” Her voice quavered when Luc yanked her to his side. “I didn't—I want..."
    She didn't know what she wanted.
    Images, sensations—they all crowded her mind, made thinking impossible. Her body sang, as though long slumbering, she'd finally awakened. “Luc?"
    Hissing curses through clenched teeth, Garrick lurched toward the door. “For God's sake, Luc, she—I could've—"
    "Me? You! She doesn't understand how dire our circumstances are, but you do . She's barely recovered from what David did to her—"
    Ripped free of Garrick's enthralling blood, still aching from the taste of it, she struggled in Luc's tight grip. She wanted nothing more than to be away from them both. She flattened her hands over her ears while they railed and cursed each other. “Stop it. Stop, stop."
    "Shh, Kate. It's all right. We've finished, I swear it.” The glare he focused on Garrick spoke otherwise, but Luc used the knife to slash at his neck, opening a vein. He pulled her to him. “Drink."
    "No!” She didn't want Luc's blood.
    She wanted Garrick.
    She stiffened.
    Of course she didn't want Garrick's blood.
    She wanted to run away.
    Didn't she?
    Luc pressed her to the wound, and the hot, coppery taste of his blood filled her mouth. She would've resisted, but the smell of him hearkened to hazy memories of comfort and affection. The fierce arousal that had flamed so hot banked to a low burn.
    Sighing, she nestled into Luc's neck.
    "That's it, ma petite. Take what you need." He stroked her