Free Vampire Apocalypse #2 Cataylst by H.M. Ward Page B

force her, but he felt like she was going to run. Or
fight. He didn’t want to fight her anymore. “We need to work
together or we’ll die. You do understand that, right? No matter
which way this pile of crap tumbles, you and I are screwed.” She
nodded. There were too many people who knew of her, of her blood,
and every one of them would kill Will to get to her. “If you let me
drink directly from you, if my fangs pierce your neck, it
will—”
    She flinched, “What? Your fangs? You don’t—”
but before she could finish talking, she knew she was wrong. Her
heart hammered against her ribs, as she watched his lips part.
    He smiled at her again, but it was the kind
of smile that hid heartbreak. “Bane were created to drain humans.
Of course I have fangs. The Queen’s edict keeps me from using
them.” As he spoke, Kahli could see his white eyeteeth extend. They
were sharper than any wolf’s fang, extending into a narrow, lethal
point.
    The hair on the back of her neck prickled.
Will doesn’t eat. He barely sleeps. He has fangs. Her jaw hung
open. Shock and disgust swam across her face.
    “Don’t look at me like you didn’t know what I
was,” he sounded offended. “You’ve known more than anyone from the
beginning. I told you exactly what I was.”
    Kahli’s hand was over her mouth. She tried
not to breathe. She tried to sound rational and process his
request. “How will biting me help?”
    He stepped toward her, “It will diminish the
King’s claim on you. It was an incomplete bond. And...” his voice
trailed off.
    “And,” Kahli prompted.
    “And, it will permanently bond us. I’ll be
yours. You’ll be able to hear me, feel me, and know without any
doubt if my intentions are good or not. And you’ll be mine. Another
vampire cannot claim you, as long as I live.” Kahli was breathing
hard, staring at him. She couldn’t have been more shocked, if he
hit her in the face with a bear. “It’s the best protection I can
offer you.”
    “But you’re a Bane,” she finally spit out.
“You can’t do that. Can you?”
    “I don’t see why not. I can’t say that I’ve
ever tried, but I’m a mortal vampire. It stands to reason that I
could claim you. It would weaken the King’s hold on you. It would
make it possible to kill Sophia and the King, without worrying
about the King claiming you for himself.”
    Kahli shook her head slowly. “I can’t. I
can’t give away the little freedom I have left.” The way her eyes
lingered on his mouth made him brave. Will walked toward her
slowly, carefully.
    “But, there are other rules you would break,
aren’t there?” He stopped in front of her and glanced down into her
face. Kahli couldn’t look away. Will captivated her, making every
inch of her skin prickle, demanding his touch. His breath fell warm
and soft on her lips, and she wished his lips were there. Kahli
wished he’d press his mouth to hers. Will’s hands lifted to her
face, gently brushing against the smooth skin on her cheeks. “Tell
me when to stop. Tell me where the line is and I won’t cross
it.”
    Will lowered his lips to hers, pressing
gently. Kahli didn’t move. She didn’t pull away, she didn’t speak.
She stood perfectly still, feeling his mouth on hers. Will blinked
slowly, feeling the floor of his stomach fall away, as he deepened
the kiss, learning the curves of her mouth, tasting her. Kahli’s
heart pounded harder, but she didn’t push him away. She let him
kiss her, as her fingers twitched at her sides, wanting to tangle
in his hair.
    Will pulled Kahli closer, feeling her body
press against his. His hands slipped down her bodysuit, feeling the
curve of her narrow waist and full hips. “Should I stop?” he
breathed, breaking the kiss. His sapphire eyes met hers. Kahli
couldn’t speak. She should say, Yes , but she couldn’t. Her
eyes locked on his, and she wanted his mouth on her, again. Kahli
shook her head gently, and Will continued to kiss her until her
knees