I laid there thinking about Grayson. I felt more hurt than anything. He may not have seen it as a betrayal but I did. He was a vampire now. He couldn’t think that the human equivalent of cheating was still the only one.

  Sebastian’s breathing was heavy and his heart pounded under my hand. I propped up onto my elbow admiring the hard contours of his face that were visible even in the darkness, so much so that I knew he was staring at me in return. My hand slid up his chest and cupped his face. I could feel the barest amount of stubble under my palm.

  “Gaby,” he sighed turning his lips to my palm whispering a kiss against it. “You should stop,” he sighed.

  “I don’t want to.” I ran my thumb over his lips giving myself liberties I had never taken before. My fingers scanned his face like I was blind and was trying to see him. He closed his eyes and let me.

  I adjusted to use both hands. When they both touched his face, Sebastian rolled me over onto my back. He laid beside me, but his face hovered over mine with both my arms pinned above my head. I gasped parting my lips feeling aroused by his forcefulness.

  “What are you doing?” he growled. I opened my mouth and closed it several times unsure to what to say. What was I doing? “You don’t even know, do you?” He narrowed his green eyes. They blazed with desire and fury. I blinked trying to come up with something to say. “How far do you plan on taking this, Gaby? Until I kiss you? Grayson hurt you so you want to hurt him in return? How far?” he hissed.

  “I—I don’t know.”

  “I need you to tell me. Will a simple kiss be enough?” His lips hovered just above mine, barely not touching. When he spoke they brushed against mine. “Or do you want to act like a couple of teenagers and move to second base?” He gripped both my wrists in one hand while his other trailed down my arm. His fingers brushed against the side of my breast, down my ribs until it came to rest above my hip touching a hint of exposed skin. “Or do you want to take it further? You feel like he cheated so you want to feel like you have the upper hand. You want me to strip you down, Gaby?” His fingers slipped under my shirt grazing the side of my stomach. “Do you want me to do all the things I’ve imagined?” He growled. His digits trailed down my stomach and out from my shirt. “I’ll touch you.” They continued down my leg until they met skin then began skimming up my thigh bringing the shorts I wore with them. “And taste you.” He moved his mouth to my ear. His tongue flicked against my earlobe making me writhe. “And when your husband shows up tomorrow and explains it all away you can resent me for having allowed you to do it.”

  That one sentence caused a brick to sink in my stomach. “Stop,” I sighed.

  “I’m just a means to an end, right?” he hissed against my ear. “You know I love you,”

  “Stop.”

  “You know I want you.”

  “Stop,” I shoved him away with less strength than it should have required but he released me and I scooted away.

  “Do you even think about what you’re doing to me? Do you consider my feelings when you touch me like that? If you want me, great!” he exclaimed. “Leave him and I’ll keep my word and love your child like it’s mine.” He let out a heavy breath expelling some of his aggression. He took my hand in his, brought it to his mouth and kissed my knuckles. “But if you’re just doing this because you’re hurt and you want to punish him, leave me out of it.” He eyed me from under his lashes and I could see the pain there. Pain that I had caused.

  “Sebastian,” I whispered.

  “You keep the bed. I’ll take the couch. If you need more pillows, let me know and I’ll grab them.” He leaned in and kissed my forehead before he was off the bed.

  It took me forever to find sleep having tossed and turned the night away. When I woke the sun was just beginning to pierce through the windows. I found it strange that in a building full of vampires Sebastian let the sunlight in. I startled when I saw someone sitting in a chair next to the bed.

  “Did he call you?” I demanded sounding grumpy.

  He shook his head. “Process of elimination.” His eyes racked over me, but it wasn’t seductive. More assessing. It felt like he was determining what might have occurred.

  “Nothing happened,” I stated.

  “I know. I saw Sebastian already.”

  “What did he tell you?” I glanced away. When I focused back at Grayson his eyes were sad.

  “That you wanted to hurt me, but nothing happened.” His words came out hushed. I sighed. “Is it true? Were you trying to use him to hurt me?”

  I could feel the tears stinging my eyes, but I didn’t want him to see them so I looked away. “I’m not proud of how I handled things Grayson. You hurt me. I didn’t try anything with Sebastian besides seeking comfort and I know that was wrong on so many levels; not just to you, but to him too.”

  “Is it not bad enough that Ava is out there in search for a Fae that could very well drive you into his bed, but who needs a spell when you go running to it at the first misunderstanding!”

  “Misunderstanding?” Was he serious? “You were feeding from a woman!”

  “I didn’t know it was a woman!” he yelled back.

  “What?” I glared at him like he grew a second head.

  “She was robbing some poor woman. I thought I was stopping a male criminal who was victimizing someone.”

  “Is that what you look for when you go hunting? Criminals?”

  “Hunting? I don’t go hunting?”

  “That’s what you were doing last night. You left to go hunting,” I explained.

  Grayson’s face knitted with confusion. “No. I went for a jog.”

  “You mean your cover for hunting?” I sneered.

  “Gaby!” He was about to move towards me, but stopped glancing around at where we were. “Can you get out of Sebastian’s bed? It’s hard talking to you.” When I didn’t move he asked. “Please?” I huffed and climbed out on the opposite side where he wasn’t. “I really go for jogs. I don’t use it as an excuse to feed from people. Sometimes, when I’m out, I find someone victimizing other people and I stop them. I erase myself from their minds and tell them to forget about vampires, but the fear they associate with their would be crime is still there. I can’t just let things like that happen. Not when I have to power to stop it.”

  I stared at him from across the bed. “You want to stop people from hurting others?” I questioned. He nodded. “How many?”

  “What?”

  “How many people have you saved?”

  “Seven.”

  “And how many criminals?” I asked wanting to know the number of humans he’d fed on.

  “Five,” he breathed guiltily.

  Five people I didn’t know he had fed from. “And what about Otto’s?”

  “How’d you…”

  “Chris saw you there,” I stated.

  “The wolf Jade said stop by,” he muttered to himself. “My secretary, Ms. Giles? She told me her nephew was mixed up in some bad stuff. She knew I worked with the ADR and hoped I could help find him a spot for his recovery. It wasn’t drugs he was involved in. He liked getting fed on by vampires. She doesn’t know that though. I found him at Otto’s. We talked and he told me that his life was falling apart and I offered to influence him so he could get past it. I made him forget about vampires and if he somehow came across one that perhaps knew him, the idea of being fed on now repulsed him. I also made a loop hole that no one could influence that away.”

  I listened to what he said and it all made sense, but he had kept all this hidden from me. It was a betrayal no matter how he spun it. Did he think I couldn’t be trusted? Did he know I wouldn’t approve so he intentionally withheld the information?

  “I understand your reasons,” I began.

  “But you don’t forgive me…” he stated.

  I shook my head. “I understand. You felt victimized when you were kidnapped and you have the means to prevent others from feeling the way you felt.”

  “Yes,” he breathed stunned I understood.

  “But did you not think about the risk you’re taking? We’re having a baby, Grayson, and you’re out there playing vigilante. What if someone saw you? What if there were cameras? What if they were supernatural and I lost you again? You wanna step in? I can’t stop you. I know you’re practically invincible, so why take it to a supernatural level? Feeding wasn’t necessary. You did that because you wanted to punish them and I don’t think I can be okay with that.”

  “What are you saying, Gaby?” He stared at me with sad eyes.

  I took a long breath and let it out. “I’m saying that if you continue doing this, risking yourself and exposure, then I can’t stop you, but I am not going to stand by and watch.”

  Grayson opened his mouth to speak, but the door slammed open and Damien’s head popped in.

  “Move! We are under attack!” He yelled before turning around and swinging the sword in his hand decapitating the man in front of him. Grayson was by my side gripping my arm pulling me forward. We stood just inside the room. Damien was battling another man, who was matching him blow per blow. Seeing something glitter on the floor next to a headless body, I reached down and grabbed it. It was a small knife no bigger than my palm. I stood blade in hand and threw it. The man Damien was battling seemed dazed when it landed in his eye giving Damien the opportunity to remove his head.

  “What are they?” Grayson asked suddenly holding a sword.

  “Demons,” Damien hissed. “We have to get Gabriella out of here.”

  “Get me a weapon,” I demanded. Both men looked at me confused. “I’m more at risk without one.”

  Damien handed me his sword before a bright silver blade appeared in his hand. I had seen Sebastian summon one like it before. I assumed it was his angel blade. He spun just before another wave entered the hall. I didn’t know where they were coming from.

  “Where is everyone?” Grayson yelled slamming his hilt into the demon’s face. I didn’t know how demons worked, if they were appearing as humans, possessing them, or if that was just how they looked. I didn’t think to long as one ran towards me. I spun bringing my blade in an upward slice.

  “Cut off their heads!” Damien yelled and I did as he said not overthinking my actions. “It’s morning. Most of them were in bed. Sebastian set off to wake them.”

  Warm blood sprayed across me, but it did little to stop the demon stalking me. Damien moved with a grace I had never seen. He turned in mid air taking off the demon’s head before landing on his feet with his blade buried in another. I saw Grayson block a downward blow, but the demon was stronger than he appeared and I could see Grayson’s strength waver, but he sidestepped, letting the blade of the demon continue it’s downward progression as Grayson lifted his sword and removed the head.

  “Find Sebastian,” Grayson yelled at one of the vampires that were now battling alongside us.

  I took out three more when I felt my hair being yanked back.

  “Gaby!” Grayson yelled, but he was being blocked by two other demons. Then I was suddenly released staggering forward. I spun with my blade raised. My eyes landed on a woman with no head. She stood there briefly before crumpling in a heap to the floor. I peered beyond where she had stood eyeing Sebastian looking every bit the fallen angel he was. His silver blade practically glowed in his hand covered in a coat of crimson. His chest was bare, streaked with blood not his own. His wings outstretched ready for battle. “Get her out of here, now!” Grayson screamed. I turned to see him, but arms wrapped around me just as I saw Grayson swallowed by demon bodies.

  When we reappeared my breathing grew erratic. I was unable to catch my breath. I was having déjà vu. Sebastian dissipating me… Grayson being left behind…

  “We have to go back,” I gasped. Sebastian shook his head too busy focusing around the room. “Then go back and get him.”

  “I can’t, Gaby. I’m sorry. They might follow my dissipation trail leading them…” Three demons appeared out of nowhere. Sebastian stepped in front of me using his body to shield me, but I sidestepped around him clashing blades with a burly looking man who growled in disgust when he saw me.

  “Day walker,” he hissed through yellow teeth. His blade clinked with mine.

  “Why do you all always think that’s an insult?” I spat trying to find my opening. It had been a long time since I practiced with swords and the last time my center of gravity wasn’t off. “At least I’m not demon scum.” I spun but he blocked me.

  “You should give up now and I will make your death painless.”

  “Pass,” I hissed.

  “Your child will never be born. Neither hell nor heaven will allow it. It is an abomination. If we fail today our brothers will continue the fight and if they too fail our enemy will stop at nothing from eliminating you too.”

  I gasped being shoved back by Sebastian. The demon’s blade swiped across the fallen angel’s stomach, right where my stomach had just been. Sebastian raised his arm and removed the demon’s head with ease.

  For a few precious seconds everything was ungodly quiet; then Sebastian groaned and crumpled to the floor.

  “Sebastian!” I screamed crawling across the floor to him. It wasn’t until then that I realized we were in my old apartment. His arm was wrapped protectively around his midsection. I could see blood spilling over. I glanced at his face and his eyes squeezed shut. His teeth were gritted together in obvious pain. I peeled his hand away and saw blood gush from the wound that was so deep. If he’d been human he’d have died quickly. I released him and his arm fell back in place.

  “Why isn’t it healing?” I spoke to myself.

  “Upper level demon,” Sebastian groaned. “They curse their blades.”

  I remember when I was stabbed in Las Vegas. There was talk about the blade being cursed. “Are you poisoned? I thought you said it didn’t affect you?”

  “Not poisoned. Cursed,” he grunted out the words. “I need blood.”

  In all the time I had known him, I had never seen Sebastian feed. I wasn’t even sure if he had fangs. I hadn’t lived in this apartment in months. Even if there was blood left it would have spoiled long ago. I swiped my hair over my shoulder exposing my neck.

  “Here,” I offered helping him sit up.

  “No,” he groaned shaking his head.

  “You said the poison doesn’t affect you and you need it. You don’t really have many options before you bleed out.” I adjusted him until I knew he could get a good angle. “Do you have fangs?” I asked being genuine.

  He chuckled, “Yes,” then hissed in pain.

  “Then use them. Please,” I added when he still hesitated.

  “I’m sorry.”

  I began turning towards him to argue when his hand cupped my chin angling me away and the sharp pinch of his teeth sunk into my neck. I cried out, but not in pain. I was blissful. It wasn’t orgasmic. It was peace and happiness. My eyes were open but I only saw white. White light, white clouds and complete utter perfection. I felt a tear slip down my cheek. Just one and it was from pure happiness. Then it was gone having been ripped away. I began sobbing from the loss. I wanted to be there, to never leave.

  I opened my eyes and saw Sebastian hovering over me. I was lying on my back on the living room floor as I continued to cry. He didn’t ask what was wrong or if he hurt me. He simply sat by my side holding my hand as I grieved.

  After some time, I laid there silent. Sebastian had long ago laid down beside me, but his hand in mine was the only contact we shared. “I don’t feed from people, not since modern medicine made it so I didn’t have to. My victims become addicted to my bite. Having experienced it, I’m sure you understand why,” he continued to speak even though I remained fixed. “It’s my curse for falling. There is no one alive that has experienced what you have because of how long it’s been since I last fed from someone.”

  “What was it?” I asked my voice cracking.

  “You already know.”

  I turned my head to stare at him. “Heaven,” I stated. He nodded. “Do you see it when…?” He was already shaking his head no. “Are you alright?” I asked remembering his wound.

  He smiled gently but it didn’t reach his eyes. “All better,” he gestured to his abs that were perfection once more. “Are you alright?”

  “If I say no?”

  He swallowed hard. “Then I’d say that’s to be expected, but are you well enough that I can make a call?”

  I nodded. Releasing Sebastian’s hand I sat up. He followed suit. He watched me as he began to stand then leaned into me and kissed my forehead. “I am sorry. I didn’t want to do that to you.”

  I smiled sadly and felt tears brim in my eyes.

  Sebastian reached for his phone and moved across the room. “We’re fine…Yeah. Three upper levels… You might want to send someone to clean up…Yeah… Okay.” He walked back to me and held out the phone.

  “Hello?” I asked when I took it.

  “Gaby,” Grayson sighed.

  “Grayson?” I cried. I was feeling overwhelmed, but was glad to hear he was okay. “Where are you?”

  “At the compound. I stayed until we heard from you. Now I’ll be heading back to the apartment.”

  “Okay,” I sighed leaning back against the wall relieved. “I’ll meet you there.”

  There was a pregnant pause before he spoke again. “You’re not meeting me there.”

  “You want me to meet you at the compound then?”

  “Compound has been compromised. It’s no longer safe, at least not for now.”

  My brow furrowed as I thought about what he said. “So where do you want me to meet you?”

  He sighed. “You’re not going to meet me Gaby.”