Free Evans, Gabrielle - The Hunger [Fatefully Yours 7] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever ManLove) by Gabrielle Evans Page A

to argue with him and demand he stay behind. He even expected a little begging and bribing. This, however, he never saw coming. “Why?”
    “Do you feel stronger after you feed?”
    Echo thought it over for a minute. “Yes.”
    “You need to be at top strength, babe.”
    “Not you.” Echo wanted to smack himself in the forehead when Onyx instantly shut down.
    His entire body tensed and his eyes became shuttered. “I’ll get one of the others,” Onyx responded in a monotone.
    “I didn’t mean it that way.” Echo grabbed his lover’s wrist to prevent his escape. “I took blood from you last night, and a lot of it.” He reached up and stroked Onyx’s face. “You need to be strong as well, love.”
    Onyx’s eyes softened, and he leaned into Echo’s touch. “I’m sorry that I jumped to conclusions.”
    Echo didn’t know what had happened in the demon’s past to make him think he wasn’t good enough for the love Echo felt for him, but once they rescued the others, he intended to change Onyx’s way of thinking. The man never said much, but Echo guessed Onyx felt more than any of them. He was hurting, that much was obvious, and it broke Echo’s heart that he couldn’t take that pain away.
    “I love you,” he whispered. They were only words, but it was all the comfort he could offer in their given situation.
    Onyx closed his eyes, his shoulders relaxed, and a contented sigh escaped his lips. “I love you, too.” His eyelids fluttered open, and he smiled. “You still need to feed.”
    “If it will make you feel better. Though, I really don’t think it’s necessary. I just fed a few hours ago.”
    “It couldn’t hurt,” Onyx countered. He glanced over his shoulder toward the east. “We need to hurry.”
    The sky had lightened considerably since they’d arrived, and Echo could feel the tingle in his spine heralding the sun’s journey toward the horizon. “Ten minutes or so,” he mumbled. Gods, he was such a freak. He vaguely wondered if he could predict the weather as well. “I don’t need to feed, and none of you can afford to give me the blood.”
    Onyx frowned at him. “It doesn’t make me feel weak or tired. I think one of us could spare a little.”
    “No,” Echo said firmly. “I’m good.” He took Onyx’s hand and squeezed it. “Let’s go kick some vampire ass.”
    His mate gave in, just as Echo knew he would, and they hurried over to join the others. “Why do you have blankets?”
    Craze looked over his shoulder at Echo, then out toward the eastern sky. “Jinx and Syn are vampires, Echo, and the sun is almost up. I’d rather not bring my mates home as charcoal.”
    Duh! Echo did smack himself in the forehead that time. Damn it, he needed to get his head on straight. “Right. Sorry.”
    “How far from here?” Hex asked.
    “About a half mile through those trees,” Craze answered, pointing toward the north. “It’s a large house, a lot like yours. I couldn’t get close enough to see inside, but all basements are underground.”
    “Do you know if there’s an outside entrance?”
    Craze shook his head and tucked the blankets under his arm. “Not a clue.”
    “I really don’t want to go inside that house.” Hex began pacing, his fingers clenching and relaxing at his sides.
    Echo stepped in front of the alpha to halt him. “I think it’s time for some go-go juice.”
    It didn’t take long for Echo to go around the group, recycling and redoubling the demons’ powers. He reached Syx last, unsure what to do. Maybe he should give Syx some of the others’ powers?
    Syx chuckled and kissed his forehead. “Don’t worry about me, sweetheart.”
    Echo shrugged. Right . Like he wasn’t going to worry.
    “Hey.” Syx slipped his fingers under Echo’s chin and tilted his head up. “Look at me.”
    Echo did and yawned immediately. “I feel sleepy.”

Chapter Eight

    “Why am I sleeping?” Echo glared at the goddess, Athena. “This is bullshit! Send me back!”
    “I