Blood Claimed: Shadowsend Vampire Clan: 1 by L.A. McGinnis

Author:L.A. McGinnis [McGinnis, L.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fools Journey Press
Published: 2023-03-26T16:00:00+00:00

29

AISLING

It took me five jumps to get back to Liath Castle, almost six hours total. I’d passed through two time rifts and there was something seriously wrong with my lungs, because I was still coughing up blood.

I doubted Cormac was dead. The mean ones live forever was Val’s motto, but I sobbed with relief when I crash-landed on Liath’s back terrace, in the middle of broken champagne glasses and plates, a random shoe left behind.

I tried pushing to my feet, but I couldn’t do anything except lie still, blood trickling from my nose and mouth. Gods, maybe I was dying. I felt like I was dying from this smothering, heavy sensation in my chest, where every breath felt like broken glass.

I had to move. I had to get my arse up, but my body wouldn’t obey. Fine, then. One … two … thr—

Stalking, slow footsteps approached, then a pair of shiny dress shoes appeared in my line of sight, black pressed trousers. My eyes kept moving upwards until I reached Damien Forge’s gloating smile.

Three—Damien yanked me to my feet, and blood dribbled from my lips.

I know who Cormac was working for. My heart hopscotched straight into my throat. Damien had beaten me back here, and even though the doors were right there, I wouldn’t survive this after all.

“My biggest mistake was not killing you seven years ago.” When he jerked me against him, I couldn’t move. I was bound by ropes of fear, serving me up to this monster on a silver platter. Damien’s smile was terrible, and the promise shining from his eyes … he’d make me suffer before he killed me.

The heavy tromp of boots echoed across the stone terrace from the high walls of the castle, along with male shouting, loud enough Damien startled, his gaze scanning our surroundings as he gathered his magic to spirit me somewhere else. I shoved, and one of his hands slipped from my arm, his nails raking grooves in my skin.

“Finn. I’m here. Over here.” My scream wasn’t very loud, but the bootfalls changed direction, headed our way. Damien snarled, then disappeared, and I went down, my legs not capable of holding me up.

Then Finn was there, curled around me, and I’d never felt so safe in my entire life.

“Ash.” I wrapped my arms around him and hung on for dear life. “Oh my gods, you’re alive.” He pushed my hair out of my face. “You’re covered in blood.” He took a deep inhale. “But it’s not all yours.”

He was still in the clothes from the party but smelled of smoke, along with something foul that I couldn’t put my finger on.

“Cormac’s,” I murmured, and buried myself into him, not able to make my fingers untangle themselves from his shirt. “Mostly his, I hope.”

“Let me look at you, sweet girl.” He was gentle when he ran his giant hands over me, but I hissed when he touched my side. “Broken ribs, punctured lung, internal injuries.” His words were fast and choppy. “How much blood did you spit up?”

“Not a lot.

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