Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 51404 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 257(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51404 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 257(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
38
SUNNY
The violence had sobered Sunny instantly. The fog of Woo hanging over her brain had burned away as she watched Greer pull the attacker off her like he was nothing more than a rag doll. She hadn’t seen Rage like that before—raw, terrifying, protective Rage that had a murderous edge to it.
And yet, even at his most dangerous, the big Warrior hadn’t frightened her. She knew he was there to protect her—to save her as he had so many times before. She was just grateful that he’d gotten to her in time.
Two Kindred guards arrived a few moments later, drawn by Greer’s roar. The two enormous Beast Kindred warriors in black uniforms lifted the bloody, gasping Summerville off the ground with no more effort than picking up a sack of flour.
“What happened here?” one demanded.
Sunny started to explain but Greer cut her off.
“I found him trying to rape her.”
Both of their faces darkened.
“A fucking rapist, is it?” growled one, shaking Summerville roughly.
He groaned and snorted blood.
“She wanted it! She was sending all these thoughts out—”
“No woman wants to be raped, you asshole!” The second guard’s elbow connected with Summerville’s jaw, which was already turning black and blue from Greer’s punches.
“Ow!” he shrieked, jerking away.
“Oops. Sorry about that.” The guard smiled with grim satisfaction. “My mistake.”
“Looks like it’s time for you to go, human,” the second guard remarked. “I can tell you now—you’ll never be welcome aboard the Mother Ship again.”
“And we’ll be sending word to the human authorities,” the other added grimly. “Attempted rape won’t be ignored—not here. We Kindred take the safety of our females very seriously.”
“Noooo,” Summerville moaned, putting his hands to his bloody, bruised face. “No, you can’t! I’m already on the sex offenders list! Another report will violate my parole! I can’t go back to prison—I can’t.”
“Oh, I think you can.” The second guard smiled savagely. “I’ve heard what shit-holes human prison are. Sounds like the perfect place for you.”
Sunny looked at Summerville in disgust. What a horrible man! She hugged herself as her attacker was dragged away, his protests dwindling into the night. Relief left her shaking. If Greer hadn’t come when he did…but she couldn’t let herself finish the thought. It was too awful.
At last, she and her Protector were alone.
The two of them stood side-by-side in the shadow of the Sacred Grove, the faint glow of the dimmed artificial sun casting a soft silver shimmer over the trees. The edge of the parklands wasn’t too far away.
Sunny realized with a pang of memory that this was close to the little restaurant where she and Greer had first met. They had eaten dinner—or “Last Meal” as the Kindred called it—together and then taken a walk in the park. That was where he had gone to one knee and sworn his oath to protect her, claiming her as his Ward.
“Do you remember the first time we met—walking through the park?” she asked softly, looking up at him. “Remember how you promised to be my Protector?”
Greer’s pale eyes locked with hers. His face was drawn tight, unreadable.
“I could never forget that, little one,” he said, his deep voice hoarse. “And I promise you this—I will never forget you.”
Her heart sank at the finality in his tone.
“What do you mean? You make it sound like you’re leaving—like you’re going far away,” she whispered.
“I am.” His jaw clenched. “I’ve taken a new assignment. In the Seventh Quadrant. As far from here as it’s possible to go.”
Sunny’s throat tightened.
“Why? Is it because you’re a Pitch Blood Kindred? Because you need blood to survive?”
The flicker of shock in his eyes told her she was right.
“Who told you that?”
“Kat.” She lifted her chin. “Do you think I don’t want to be with you because I don’t want to give you my blood? Because I do, Greer. I want to give you anything you need.”
She held out her wrist, heart hammering.
But Greer caught her hand, gently pushing it down. His eyes burned with torment.
“You don’t mean that. I heard you on Thropp’ic Sigma. You told that woman how much you hated being bitten.”
For a moment she was baffled—then she laughed, though tears pressed behind her eyes.
“Oh, Greer… I was talking about that bat—the one that bit me on the thigh, remember? I hate getting bitten by bats. But you?” Her voice dropped to a whisper and she looked up at him shyly. “I wouldn’t mind with you.”
His throat worked. He shook his head.
“No. You don’t understand. I can’t give you pleasure when I bite you. Only pain.”
“I don’t mind a little pain,” she murmured, reaching for him again.
He parted his lips, about to answer.
Sunny was all set to refute whatever argument he was about to make…when a bolt of incredibly sharp need—rushed through her. With a gasp, she doubled over, clutching her middle.