He wrapped his arm around her waist and led her off the floor. Sera's lustful haze broke, and she recalled a group of people surrounded them. She cast him a threatening look as he led her over to Mike, and Jack. He’d purposely distracted her and clouded her mind, just as he had deliberately left her in a state of arousal. He chuckled as he kissed her forehead.
"Soon," he promised.
He released his hold on her and turned to survey the crowd. "Where are David and Doug?" she inquired.
"Having fun," Jack replied.
Sera frowned at him as he grinned back at her. "I'll be back," Liam told her.
He turned to leave, but Sera grabbed hold of his arm. "Not a girl," she said quietly.
"Sera..."
Her jaw clenched as a wave of possessiveness washed through her. She didn't even want to think about it. "Not a girl."
His smile was wry with amusement as he brushed her hair back. "Would that upset you?"
She didn't find it at all amusing. "Well I could always go back to that guy at the bar, and see what he's up to."
Liam's smile faded. "Point taken."
"Good." She folded her arms over her chest as she stared crossly at him.
He bent down and brushed a light kiss along her neck before nibbling on her ear. Sera's irritation instantly melted as her body responded to his. "Your wish is my command."
He kissed her on the cheek and melted into the crowd. Sera watched him for a minute before turning back to Jack and Mike. They were both grinning at her knowingly. "Don't," she warned.
They burst into laughter. "I am so glad we get to watch this forever!" Jack cried.
"At least until it happens to you," Sera retorted.
Jack shook his head as he smirked. "I don't think so. I'll run the other way as fast as I can first!"
"I'll be right behind you," Mike said joyfully. "No way am I letting some girl get her hooks into me."
Sera scowled at them as she turned her back to the wall and leaned against it. Kathleen was on the floor dancing with the guy from the bar. Danielle was a few feet away dancing with another man. They were both laughing. Sera felt an answering smile tug at her lips.
"They're having fun."
"Yep," Mike replied absently as his gaze searched the crowded floor.
"What's the matter?"
He cast her a lopsided grin. "Searching for dinner," he replied.
"Oh," she said dully as Jack chuckled.
"Hey guys," Doug appeared at Sera's side with a cute red-haired girl tucked under his arm. "This is Bridgette."
"Hey," they all greeted absently.
"Bridgette's got a room, so we're going to head up there. Come get me if you need me."
Bridgette giggled as she ducked her head shyly. Mike and Jack exchanged knowing glances and grinned; Sera rolled her eyes at them. "And what room would that be?" Jack asked.
"Two twenty-four," Bridgette answered with another giggle.
Doug grinned as he turned and walked away from them. "Why don't we get rooms?" Sera suggested.
"Oh, baby!" Jack cried with a mock raise of his eyebrows. "You're not my type, but thanks for the offer."
Sera snorted as she shook her head. "Any woman who walks is your type.”
Jack grinned as he shrugged his shoulders. "True."
"We probably could get rooms," Mike said. "If they have any open. I'll go check."
He moved swiftly through the throng until it swallowed him. Sera studied the crowd impatiently as she waited for Liam to return. Instinctively, she drew within herself to search for him. The knowledge he was feeding slammed into her. Sera pulled immediately back as hunger blasted through her, burned into her veins, and caused her teeth to lengthen.
"Hey, you okay?" Jack demanded worriedly.
Sera shook her head and dropped it into her hands as the pulses within the room beat against her. Sera whimpered as she tried to shut it out.
"Come on." Jack grabbed her arm and began to propel her through the crowd.
Sera kept her head bowed and her hand over her forehead to shield her face. The blazing hunger in her eased as the crowd faded away. She groaned as Jack slid her onto a sofa. She didn't have to look up to know they were back in the sunroom; she recognized the smell of it.
"Feel better?" She nodded but still couldn't bring herself to look at him. "It will get easier."
Sera risked raising her head to find him watching her sympathetically. "When?" she whispered.
"It takes some time, but eventually you can control it with no problem. I promise."
Sera turned her gaze from his to stare at the night. She was still shaking, and there was a fierce burning making its way through her veins. "It hurts."
"You get used to that also."
She turned back to him, but he was no longer looking at her. His pupils dilated as he searched the room. "Jack—"
"Get out of here, Sera!" he shouted. "Now! Go now!"
Sera leapt to her feet as the side door burst open. They spun toward it as cold air blasted into the room on a rush of wind and violent red eyes. Jack leapt forward, only to be flung across the room and slammed into the fireplace. Sera screamed as she lurched toward his lifeless body.
"Jack!" Hands snatched hold of her arms and yanked her backward. "No!"
Her wail broke off when the hands scrambling over her skin, covered her mouth. She thrashed in their grasp, kicking and clawing at the hands pinning her against a massive chest. She knew it wasn’t Beth who held her, but one of the other things. She bit deep into his meaty palm; satisfaction filled her as his blood spurted forth. He hissed loudly in her ear as something smashed against her head. Sera was left dazed and disoriented as she went limp in his arms.
Cold air blasted against her skin, she had just started to renew her fight when she was hit again, and the world went black.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Liam froze in the middle of the crowd. The people dancing
