* * * *
Zoë and Landon interrupt our happy embrace a few minutes later. Somehow they never have any problem knowing where I am.
It’s time to go over the game plan once more. Landon brings out a folded piece of paper from his back pocket—the spell. He tells me exactly what I will need to conjure, and then Sloane goes over his plan to capture me and take me to Donovan.
The meeting doesn’t take long, which is good because we don’t have much time. I need to change and get ready to leave, so Zoë and Landon head on home. I walk to the other side of the tree where Sloane originally hid the bag from me. When I put the gloves on, blades pop out of them.
I jump, but only a little—now more in control of my emotions. What the hell? Hmmm… Well, I’m gonna have to figure that one out before I slice myself!
I fiddle with the gloves for a second before I realize how to work them—with a simple thumb lever—and then I grab my sword from where I gently placed it on the ground and walk back around the tree.
Sloane is facing the opposite direction, which I find kind of funny considering all we’ve already shared.
I clear my throat and he turns around. The second he sees me, his jaw drops.
“What? It is that bad?” I feel my brow crease as blood rushes to my cheeks, afraid I look like a complete fool.
“No. Oh, not at all. No, it’s that good! You look amazing. This will be perfect. Donovan will absolutely believe that you were out hunting him and I found you.”
I grin and somewhat curtsy. I have no clue why; I must be nervous as hell underneath all the strength I’m harnessing for appearances.
We start walking toward each other at the same time, and quickly kiss when we meet. But then neither of us have any desire to pull away so it becomes more passionate. It’s possible this might be our last one, but I pray like hell it isn’t. After what feels like an eternity, we force ourselves to pull away for real.
But Sloane has one more thing in mind. “You should drink some of my blood. For power. Not a large amount because Donovan’s will help you more. But mine will be enough to get you through the first part.”
Just thinking of the delicious taste and the insane connection between us when the blood exchange occurred is enough to convince me. I grab him roughly and he responds in the same manner. This time, I go ahead and use my teeth. I pull down his t-shirt and bite right above his collarbone.
I’m surprised at my boldness—biting usually hurts, so I wonder why would I do it to the faery I love. But my teeth slide right through the skin as easily as if I was, well, a vampire—making me really believe now that my origins are what Sloane said. And I am sure something deep down in me knew that or else I doubt I would have even tried using my teeth. I wonder if elves and the others have bloodlust as well. It only make sense that they do.
I stop thinking pointless thoughts as the blood takes over my every sensation and emotion. I am overcome with pleasure as my body buzzes.
The high is intense and gratifying but some instinct tells me to stop; not to drink too much. It is ridiculously difficult but I listen, knowing I have to. But this alone is almost enough to power me through what’s ahead of me tonight. I have to stop much, much sooner than I want and I feel I have to have more later. The desire is simply too much. I lick Sloane’s wound to heal it and then lick my lips, leaning back to give my guy a kiss as I swoon a bit.
A stupid, silly grin appears and won’t leave my face. I can feel how ridiculous I look. Sloane has the same expression, seemingly just from seeing my pleasure. But then I remember how it feels to be drank from…
And that we have somewhere to be.
“All right, babe. We had better go,” Sloane says, eyes hooded and glistening.
I snap to, feeling the surge run through me again as though it is brand new. “K. Which way are we headed?”
He points toward a portal not far past the tree I just came from, and off we walk into it.