She could always join him. Horror shuddered through her at the thought of drinking blood, and her mind instantly shut out the possibility. She couldn't do that, no matter what, she couldn't do that. She had to give him up. She had to. Tears streaked her face as she took a stumbling step forward and halted.
"Go, Sera," he muttered. "Leave."
She sobbed as she fell against the door. "Liam," she whispered.
He didn't turn to her. He kept his eyes firmly shut as he waited for her to leave. It took every ounce of strength he possessed not to grab her and keep her from leaving him. It took all he had not to grab her and force the memories from her mind. But he could not, would not, do that to her, to himself. It was better to end it now, to let her leave, instead of having to give her up in five years, ten years, when he loved her even more.
The touch on his arm caused his eyes to fly open. Immersed in his grief, he hadn't heard her approach. "Sera," he managed to choke out.
"I don't want to leave," she whispered.
He fought back the hope threatening to choke him. "I can offer you nothing."
"You can offer me you. I just want you."
He was frozen as his conscience waged war with his heart. His heart won out. With a groan, he pulled her snugly against him. "I hope you understand what this means," he said hoarsely.
"Yes."
"I'm never going to let you go now. Do you understand that?"
"I don't want you to."
His heart contracted as his hands convulsed around her. He buried his head in her fragrant hair. He had never done anything to deserve her. He didn't understand how she could love him so willingly, so freely, and so openly. She clung to him, her head buried in his chest, completely vulnerable, and giving.
He held her for a long time, unwilling to release her. She yawned, and he took a small step back. He lifted her and crossed the room in three long strides to lay her down on the bed. "Lay with me," she whispered.
He climbed in beside her. She nuzzled closer to him as she savored in his strength and warmth. He held her in his arms, clinging to her as if he was a drowning man and she was his life raft. Which, she was.
Chapter Eleven
Liam's back was pressed firmly against the wall; he had one leg drawn up, and his arm draped over it. Mike sat across from him in the easy chair, which he'd turned sideways in, so his long legs dangled casually over the side. He was smoking a cigarette; the ashes drifted to the floor as he ignored the ashtray in his hand.
"Well," Mike said. "I'll take care of Jacob's body."
"Thanks."
"No problem. What about her?"
"She'll be all right."
"You said she was pretty shaken up. Great way to tell her too. I mean, you drop a bombshell on her and then transform yourself into a monster. That's not easy to take."
"She wouldn't believe me."
"Did you honestly expect her to?"
Mike took a long drag of his cigarette. The smoke curled out of his nose as he finally remembered the ashtray and snubbed it out. "I don't know what I expected."
Mike snorted, pulled out another cigarette, and lit it. "Well, I guess you had to tell her."
"Yes."
"I don't know what to say to you, Liam."
"Then don't say anything."
"You know this goes against all of our rules."
"Of course I know it. I made the rules!" he barked.
Mike took another drag and flicked an ash to the floor. "Yeah, I guess you did."
Liam rubbed at his throbbing temples. "You'll understand one day."
Mike chuckled. "I don't think I will. As long as you think it'll be all right, then I won't argue with you. But, I don't like it. I don't want to see either one of you get hurt."
"She won't be hurt."
"I hope you won't be either."
"I won't."
"Yeah well, I'll stand by you no matter what."
"Thanks."
Sera stirred slightly, and he looked down at her. His hand ran through her hair as she rolled over and buried her head in his lap. She opened her eyes and looked dazedly up at him. She sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
"Hi, Sera," Mike greeted.
She started, and her hands fell to her sides as she turned to look at him. He appeared casual in the chair, but there was an air of tension around him that belied his demeanor. Her heartbeat kicked up a notch as she suddenly understood why he had been there last night. "Hello, Mike," she greeted.
He smiled as he flicked an ash to the floor and swung his legs leisurely back and forth. "How are you doing today?"
Her eyes jumped to Liam, and then back to Mike. "Sera," Liam said as he clasped her hand.
Mike's eyes were an intense blue as they burned into her. He snuffed his cigarette out and dropped the ashtray to the floor. "I suppose you've figured out I am too."
Sera's gaze flew back to Liam's. He squeezed her hand, willing her to be okay. For a minute, she stared at him. Then her eyes sparkled, and a smile curved the corners of her full mouth. She turned back to Mike. "I have."
Liam pulled her into his arms, nestling her against his chest as he met Mike's gaze above her head. Mike stared back at him as he lit another cigarette and took a long drag. He looked down at Sera, his brow furrowed in puzzlement as he studied her carefully.
"I didn't know you smoked," Sera mumbled.
He blew a small smoke
