Just act, don’t think.
Holding Holly’s hand in his own, he closed his eyes, willing his mind to the place it needed to be. Holly was his mate. To connect with her felt natural. Reaching for her mind, he searched for a wave of communication.
His breathing slowed until it felt as if it were hers, not his. Thumb over her wrist, he felt her heat beating and it seemed almost to become his own. In his mind, he heard it like a loud beating of a drum, calling him to save her, to make her stronger.
His body responded with an odd surge of adrenaline, much like he felt during battle, only somehow different. It coursed through his veins like a stream of white water, pushing him to a new level of awareness.
His nostrils flared as the scent of Holly invaded his very core. It was as if he could feel her inside him, a part of him. Needing her, he knelt across her body, burying his face in her hair, soaking in her very essence.
Then, without even thinking about his actions, as if he answered a calling of sorts, he sat up and bit his wrist. There was no pain, only hope. His teeth had indeed sharpened. He held his wrist to her mouth and watched as his blood dripped into her parted lips, being careful not to give her too much, fearful she would choke.
When she swallowed, he let out a breath of air, relief inching through his body. This was his only hope of saving her. “That’s it, angel, swallow for me.” He carefully placed a few more drops in her mouth and then ran his tongue over his wound.
Before he could think twice about his actions, he lifted her wrist to his mouth. It was critical he complete their bond. Her strength to heal would come from the Arion transformation, not the blood. Gently he ran his tongue across her pulse, mentally sending her an apology before he bit down. She didn’t so much as flinch.
With care, he let his mouth form a gentle suction, taking in a few drops of her blood before running his tongue across the wound.
He stared down at her, holding her hand in his. “Now it’s up to you, Holly.” He shut his eyes. “Please don’t leave me.”
After long moments he let his head drop to her stomach, holding her and praying she would stay with him.
“Mason.”
It was Diego. Mason raised his head and turned to face him, answering the unspoken question. “It’s done.”
Diego nodded. “I’ll check her vitals.”
“And then?”
Diego’s face was wiped of all expression. “We wait. I don’t anticipate this being a difficult process. She is partially converted and her body is already in shut down mode. Any trauma she might feel will be shielded by her mind. Your blood will give her renewed power to heal.”
* * * * *
Holly blinked.
She remembered everything that had happened to her as if she had watched it through some sort of looking glass. And she knew Mason was worried about her and his decision.
Sensing he was near, she attempted to call his name. “Mason.” Her voice was a mere whisper at best.
She heard movement and then he was there, by her side, holding her hand, touching her face. “I’m here, Angel. God, I’ve been so worried.” He called over his shoulder. “Diego!”
“I know,” she said as he refocused on her, “but I’m fine.” She frowned. “Who’s Diego?”
He ignored her question and started to explain his actions. She knew it from his tone, his expression, his focus on her. “Holly—”
It took all of her energy but she reached up and touched his lips with her fingers. “I know. You did the right thing. I would never have wanted to leave you.”
A deep voice Holly didn’t recognize interrupted. “I need to check her vitals.”
Holly raised her head to see, already feeling a bit stronger. “Who are you?”
“Diego. Your doctor.”
“Since when?”
Diego laughed and exchanged a look with Mason. “She is feeling better, I see. Already challenging everyone as Sterling said she often does.”
“Sterling said that?” Holly demanded.
Mason laughed. “I believe she is indeed improving.”
“Twelve hours of sleep works wonders,” Diego said as he moved toward Holly.
“Twelve hours!” Holly exclaimed. “I’ve wasted twelve hours in bed?”
Mason kissed her hand while Diego said, “It was necessary for you to heal properly.”
Holly mind raced. “And now? Am I…am I healed?”
Diego stood by her side. “Near so. You know what happened?”
“Yes,” Holly said, realizing how impossible that should be, yet it was true. She had seen everything through Mason’s eyes.
“Then you know you are now Arion,” Mason asked quietly, tensely, from beside her.
She looked at him. “Yes, Mason, I know. You did the right thing.” Her eyes softened. “I love you. I could never leave you.”
“Oh, Holly,” he whispered. “I was so worried you would feel I had stolen your ability to choose.”
Diego cleared his throat. “I really need to examine her wound and check her vitals.”
Mason sighed. “Do it quick.”
Diego smiled despite Mason’s stern tone. “Yes, sir. Quick it is.”
Holly smiled at Mason. “We have a lifetime, Mason.”
“Yes, we do. And I am so damn glad.”
* * * * *
Much later that night, after Holly had rested and was feeling well enough to actually move around, Holly lay nuzzled up to Mason’s shoulder, propped up in a sitting position against the headboard.
Mason had told her she could have children again and she was still trying to decide how she felt about that. Once, it would have been great news but, in such uncertain times, she wasn’t sure she wanted to bring a child into the world.
But maybe the future would be bright enough to allow her the opportunity to be a parent.
With Mason.
For long minutes they sat in quiet comfort together, simply absorbing the good fortune they had to have a second chance.
Mason broke the silence, a hint of torment in his voice. “I should have told you about the mating.”
“Yes,” Holly said, looking up at him. “You should have. Why didn’t you?”
He touched her cheek. “I wanted you to choose to be with me. I didn’t want you to feel trapped.”
His words touched her deep inside. Her hand went to his. “I am where I want to be, Mason. With you, by your side, and I intend to fight with you. We can win this war. The Arions cannot succeed.”
He nodded. “With your mind for science, we have a great edge.”
“Yes, but I mean I am going to fight, Mason. Not just with my mind. With my physical skill. I won’t get flattened like this again. I want to learn to fight and win.”
He frowned. “But you hate fighting and, besides, I don’t want you in the line of fire.”
“I already am, as we have seen. I need the ability to protect myself. And yes, I hate to fight. I hate war. But I know we have to win this one for the sake of the human race.”
“Holly—”
Her eyes danced with challenge. “I want to be by your side. A full partner. Can you deal with that?”
He was silent a moment before breaking out into laughter. Holly glared. “Why are you laughing?”
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her, long and passionately, and with his heart and soul. When he raised his mouth from hers, he said, “My warrior woman. Yes, I can handle it. And I thank God I have you, here, by my side, one hundred percent.”
About the author:
Lisa Renee Jones lives in Austin, Texas. She owned and operated a seven-office staffing company for eleven years. She discovered a love for writing in 2003 and sold her business, and now has ten e-published books and a hardback from Five Star/Gale.
Lisa Renee Jones welcomes mail from readers. You can write to her c/o Ellora’s Cave Publishing at 1337 Commerce Drive, #13, Stow, Ohio 44224.
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