Free A Night of Forever by Lori Brighton Page A

smelled
wonderful, like cinnamon and apples.
    He lowered his head to her neck, breathed deeply and
savored the moment. The murmured conversation above was barely
noticeable over the rapid thump of her heart. They were curious
there, above, wondering what he was planning. They’d know soon
enough. Aidan flicked his tongue over his pointed teeth, testing
their sharpness. Taking in a deep breath, he lowered his head to
her neck. His teeth pierced the flesh easily.
    Mary Ellen gasped, stiffening in his arms.
    Her warm, sweet blood flooded his mouth, danced
across his tongue. Complete euphoria washed over him, through him,
pulsing in his veins. He’d dreamt of her taste, he’d stayed up at
night thinking about her, but never had he imagined this.
Everything and everyone faded. He no longer heard the excited
murmurs of the crowd above them. No longer cared that they were
trapped in a dungeon. He only cared about Mary Ellen…having her
completely and utterly. The loud thump of her heart, his heart… as
one.
    The beast inside him erupted. Took control of his
body, his emotions and needs. He wanted more. Had to have more.
Vaguely he was aware of Mary Ellen sinking into him, her body going
limp. The human part of him knew he needed to stop… she couldn’t
take much more blood loss. But he was hungry… so damn hungry.
    Her blood rushed through his body, filling his form
with warm life, giving him strength. And then she sighed… a soft
sigh that pierced his cold heart. It was what he needed. Aidan
jerked back. The tiny holes in her neck stood out in stark contrast
to her pale skin. Guilt and relief struggled for dominance. The
strength that rushed through him on a heated waved pulsed in time
with his heartbeat…her heartbeat, he wasn’t sure who the pulse
belonged to. Mary Ellen’s lashes fluttered up, her hazy gaze so
completely trusting of him that the guilt he felt was almost
unbearable.
    Shite , he’d fed too long. “Easy now,” he
said, his voice catching with an emotion he didn’t dare
contemplate.
    She nodded. “Did it work?”
    “Yes.” He hated himself more at that moment than he
ever had before. This woman hadn’t been disgusted by him, she
hadn’t shied away. She’d been a warrior, offering herself for the
greater good. And he’d practically taken her soul. Gently, he
settled her against the stone wall. “You stay put.”
    “Yes,” she whispered. “I’ll just sit here.” She slid
down the wall, landing in a heap of lavender silk. Seeing her small
body huddled on the floor left him aching and desperate.
    “Mary Ellen,” he whispered, kneeling. “I’m so—”
    The door across the room screeched open. Aidan
jumped to his feet and spun around. Through the black pit, two
werewolves sauntered inside, their noses to the ground, scenting
out their prey.
    The door fell back into place with a thud that
stirred the dust on the floor. As one they lifted their heads,
finding Mary Ellen’s scent almost immediately. Their eerie yellow
eyes locked on her. They were prime, ready to mate and she was
their target.
    Aidan’s gaze narrowed. The man in charge who watched
them from above like some god had made one stupid mistake. Two
werewolves in their prime would kill each other for a mate. Aidan
wouldn’t have to do a bloody thing but sit back and wait for the
winner, who would no doubt be tired and injured.
    The wolves turned on each other quicker than he’d
expected, their snarls and cries of pain vibrating through the
stone room. Not bothered by their fight, Aidan turned his attention
to the windows above. The people were in clear focus now that he’d
fed. His body no longer ached, the injury healed. They looked so
utterly normal. Who knew they were a mad, blood thirsty lot? Not
even the women in their fine silk clothes looked horrified by the
violence. Their excitement was practically tangible.
    Twenty feet above. The steel bars would be easy
enough to break now that he’d fed. The jump… he narrowed