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Shane s arm, a shallow cut that should have bled a sluggish red.
What came out of Shane s body was neither sluggish nor red. Tiny black
tendrils oozed out, reaching for both Akane and Jaden, a parasite eager for a new
host.
 Holy fuck! Jaden leapt back, forcing Moira, who d returned with her
father, out the door.  Don t come in.
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Moira, like every other member of this crazy family, was having none of that.
She tried to push past her mate, but Jaden held her fast, one eye on the ick that
slithered from Shane s veins. The vampire gagged.  That is so fucking gross.
Akane leaned over Shane, allowing one of the tendrils close to her face. She
breathed out, her flames engulfing the tendril.
An almost inaudible screech of agony raced across her senses. The tendril
curled in on itself, bubbling into inanimate black goo. The remainder of the
tentacles pulled back within Shane s body, writhing beneath the skin of his arm.
 Double gross. Jaden allowed Moira in, ignoring the smack to his stomach.
Sean raced toward his son, growling at Jaden when the vampire pulled him up
short.  You don t want to do that.
 That s my son. The ground outside the farmhouse rumbled, a sure sign of
Sean s displeasure with his son-in-law.
 Listen to me. Whatever s inside Shane is dangerous. Jaden eyed Akane.
 How fireproof is your mate?
She blinked. He could not be suggesting what she thought he was.
His brows rose.  If he s truly your mate, he ll be safe, but the& thing should
be fricassee. Think about it.
Once again her dragon nature took over. She found herself crouched
protectively over her mate, growling at the vampire. Her wings, which she
hadn t consciously unfurled, fluttered in a dominance display that would have
sent another dragon either running for the hills or accepting the obvious
challenge.
Jaden threw his hands up in the air.  Well, I sure as hell ain t sucking it out.
He shuddered.  There s no amount of Listerine or blowjobs in the world that
could convince me to do that.
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She hissed at him. He wanted her to set her mate on fire or somehow drain
his blood? Was he insane?
 It could work. Moira leaned against Jaden, smiling slightly when his arm
went around her waist.  Aren t dragon mates immune to their mate s flames?
Moira looked at her expectantly.
 I m not a full dragon, remember? I m a hybrid. For all I know I ll
accidentally barbecue him.
Sean leaned close and grabbed something off of Shane s nightstand. It was
only when he pressed a button that she realized it was Shane s cell phone. Sean s
eyes never left hers as he called the one person she should have thought of.  Is
this the Seer?
Akane bit her lip, hoping her mother had the answer they were seeking.
Apparently she did. Sean didn t even get to asking his question before her
mother s quiet voice began speaking. Sean paled, but his gaze was glued to his
son s body.
The thing Shane had been injected with was moving under his skin, not just
in his arm but in his abdomen, his thighs, even his face. They could all see it
writhing like worms under his skin. Akane grew worried as his skin began to
take on an unusual pallor. His bright hair darkened, turned copper.  He s
changing.
Sean hung up the phone and turned to Jaden.  Take him into the yard.
Please.
Jaden nodded, silent for once. He picked up Shane and followed Sean out of
the house, Akane and Moira hot on their heels.
 Why is Jaden carrying him? Moira was watching her mate with a worried
expression.
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Dana Marie Bell
Sean grimaced.  The Seer said that whatever is inside Shane can t hurt Jaden
because his blood would destroy the invader. It s part of Jaden s nature.
 Oh.
 But it can still gross me the fuck out. Jaden shuddered.
Aileen gasped at the sight of Shane in Jaden s arms. The tea she d been
pouring for Duncan splattered on the tile floor.  What are you doing?
Sean shook his head, unable or unwilling to speak. Jaden s mouth was grim,
his eyes glittering with green fire. Duncan stood and started to approach his
mates, stopping when Jaden shook his head.
He obeyed when Moira gestured him closer.  Don t touch Shane.
 Why not? Aileen tried to block their exit from the house.  What are you
doing? Why is he out of bed?
 He s got a parasite inside him, a Dark Court one. We have to burn it out.
Sean gently set his mate aside and opened the back door.  The Seer says if we
don t&  He shuddered, and for a moment grief dimmed the vibrancy she was so
used to seeing in the leprechaun.  I want them dead. He looked at Akane and
Jaden.  If I don t get them, you will.
Jaden nodded.  Damn skippy.
Akane bared her teeth and snarled.
Aileen covered her face with her hands, but followed them out onto the back
porch.
Jaden took Shane to a spot where grass had once been. Sean, using his
powers, had cleared away all grass and undergrowth, even digging a shallow,
round pit in the ground. There would be no chance of Akane s flame damaging
the house or accidentally setting off a grass fire.
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Jaden set Shane s body down in the fire pit. Her mate s arms and legs were
twitching, the thing under his skin controlling his movements. She prayed with
all her might it hadn t wound itself through his brain.
Akane took a deep breath and prepared to burn the affliction from the man
who d claimed her heart.
 Wait! Aileen rushed forward.  What if he needs to be Bonded before he s [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]