Torn between smacking him back to consciousness or crying over him, she didn’t have time to decide as Soren pulled her away to take over.
“Stay back. We don’t have much time. That stupid-ass vampire needs blood, right now before his body shuts down.”
“I’ll give him mine.”
Soren emitted an animalistic growl that could have meant anything. “No, you’re declining, and Finn said your blood composition has changed, we can’t risk it.”
Hunter rolled his eyes and started shedding his coat. “As I’m the weakest link and the lowest on the food chain, I’ll do it.”
It amazed Violet how accepting, courageous, and fearless he was.
“Hunter, think. In his starved state, there’s a risk he won’t be able to stop and will kill you.”
It was clear that the human cop wasn’t happy about it, but Violet saw his determination and was grateful for him.
“If he’s unconscious, how do we do this? Do we slit my wrists as he did?”
Soren shook his head. “Instinct is still there. Put your neck near his mouth. It should do the trick. I’m sorry, but this will hurt like a bitch because he won’t shield it with glamour this time. I’ll remain close, and when I see it’s about to go too far, I’ll pull you out as fast as I can.”
Hunter rolled his shoulders like he was preparing for a fight and leaned over the vampire and offered him his neck.
Holding her breath, Violet prayed for a movement, a twitch, anything that would confirm Finn was coming back to her. Nails digging into her palms, Violet felt her magic swirling inside her, demanding to be let out.
Just when she thought there wasn’t another option, Hunter gasped, and his body went rigid. Violet sat back on her haunches, relief making her dizzy. Soren had both his hands in his thick hair, probably in the same emotional storm as she was in.
Shifting to have a better view, she could see Finn’s eyes were still closed, but his torso was moving, along with his throat, where she saw him slowly swallowing. Hunter breathed harder when Finn began to move for the first time, winding his arms around the human, bringing him closer to his mouth as he drank.
Soren crouched, his eyes on Hunter, watching for any sign of distress, not certain when the cut-off would be, and it happened quickly. The weredragon gestured to her to come closer to Finn’s head, and Violet understood that he wanted her to talk to the vampire, to get control over his animalistic side.
“Finn? Love. It’s me, hear my voice.”
For the first time, Finn opened his eyes, and the greenish color was almost overcome by the deep red of blood. All the white was gone, and the rabid expression he gave her almost made her back off. Too bad she could be as dangerous and as pig-headed as he was. But this time, soft was the way.
“Honey? You have to let him go now. You’ve had enough.” She continued to whisper soft nonsense until she saw him relaxed a bit, but he still didn’t release Hunter. Soren started to look frantic as the human began to droop, his blood low.
Violet switched it up a bit. “Love, I miss you so much. I need you now. Please, don’t leave me aching alone out here.” To make her point, she cupped her breasts, and when she saw that even if his mouth was still on Hunter, he wasn’t gulping anymore, she went for the kill. “If you don’t release him, I’ll have to ask Soren for relief, because I don’t think I can take this much longer.”
The effect was immediate. Finn pushed Hunter unceremoniously to the side and launched himself at her. She braced for the hit, but Soren was faster and grabbed his friend, plastering him with inhuman strength against the wall while the vampire snapped at him.
“Easy, brother. Take it easy. I don’t want your mate, but I won’t let you hurt her either. I need you to regain your senses now. Can you do that for me?”
Seconds ticked by as Finn fought until his whole demeanor changed, and his eyes returned to their normal state. Now certain he had himself back under control, Soren let him go, and Violet took him in her arms.
“You scared me, you damn vampire!”
From the corner of her eyes, she saw Soren helping Hunter sit against the wall. The man couldn’t walk yet, but at least he was still alive and breathing, which was a miracle.
Finn hugged her tight. “I think I was about to die. Hunter is a crazy bastard to have offered himself to me like that.”
“Do you need to feed more?”
Finn blinked, considering it. “Surprisingly, no.”
With a frown, he looked at Hunter, who was slumped against the wall. It obviously raised questions because a vampire drained of almost all their blood would normally require at least two donors before they were satisfied.
Their questions were cut short when Layla’s voice sounded. “Guys, I think you should see this. Now!”
For the first time since they’d pulled Finn out of the circle, Violet turned and gasped. The circle was not only still active but had now formed a half bubble inside where smoke swirled in reddish tones. Becoming denser, it concentrated in the middle as it formed a solid mass of arms and legs until each detail became that of a man.
His back to them, the man was dressed in a contemporary style with jeans, boots, and a dark sweatshirt.
“Is that Romus?” Violet’s croaked out the question, and at her voice, the man turned.
He was a stranger in her eyes, but Finn took a couple of steps back. “Brennan.”
All eyes went to Finn as he spoke the name.
The apparition looked almost as surprised and shocked as the vampire. “Finn. Well, I never thought I’d ever see
