When Francesca was certain every detail had been attended to, she instructed Jaxon to remove herself from Lucian’s body and provide him with blood. Jaxon found herself sitting on the deck with her lifemate’s body lying beside her. She was exhausted, her body swaying with weariness. Gently she bent over Lucian. Wake up, my love. You need to wake up now.
He lay lifeless, so white it terrified her. Jaxon reached for Gabriel. He isn’t moving, Gabriel. I did something wrong. Maybe I described something incorrectly, and Francesca gave me the wrong advice.
Stay calm, Jaxon. You have done wonderfully so far. Do not panic. Remind him that Drake is stalking you. Reach for him with your entire mind. He will hear and awaken. Gabriel was very calm.
Jaxon took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Lucian, I am in terrible danger. Feel my fear. Wake up. She watched his chest. When nothing happened, she caught at his arms and shook him gently. Wake up, you arrogant male. I’m in danger here. Your job is to get off your butt and rescue me. Francesca says you’re all better. Wake up!
She bent over him just as his eyelashes fluttered. One arm whipped up to catch her to him, to pull her down to him. He shot me.
“I’m glad you comprehend, Sherlock. He’s on his way right now. He could be here at any second. You need blood, Lucian.”
He was doing a quick assessment of his injuries before he scanned the area. You are right, Jaxon. He is very close. His hand came up to caress her hair, then moved to the nape of her neck. His mouth moved over her throat to find her pulse beating steadily if a little too fast. His tongue stroked once unhurriedly, preparing her for the shock of his teeth sinking into her. She cried out, her arms stealing around his head to cradle him to her. Then she closed her eyes and relaxed. This was Lucian. Injured he might be, even severely, but he could stir her blood and make her feel completely safe under any circumstances.
Already weak, she found herself drowsy, fading, slipping into a dreamlike state. Her arms fell away from him to her sides. She slumped against him, unable to hold herself up, uncaring that it was so. She heard him murmur her name, heard the love in his voice as he closed the tiny pinpricks in her throat. His hands were gentle as he moved her to a more comfortable position. You called me an arrogant jerk, Jaxon. That was not very nice. Your bedside manner needs to improve immensely.
You’re lucky I didn’t kick you. You scared me to death. And just remember, Mr. Arrogance, it was a human that nearly did you in.
I knew you were the type of woman who would say “I told you so.” Despite the weariness in his voice, there was a hint of laughter.
If she had the strength, she might have hit him, but she was far too tired to make the effort. She lay slumped on the deck, unmoving.
I knew you had a penchant for violence, he teased.
Jaxon felt it then, her stomach clenching in a hard knot. He is here.
Yes, my love, I know. Do not worry. This monster will never harm you or anyone you love again. His voice, his beautiful, black-velvet voice, was as tranquil as ever. He did not tell her, as he saw no need, that he was incredibly weak and that Gabriel with Francesca was aiding him from a distance, their combined strength pouring into him.
You must be careful this time. Her words, even without her voice to speak them aloud, were slurred in his mind.
Sleep, my love, and do worry about me.
No! Her protest was sharp. Do not try to force me to sleep. I must be aware in case you have need of my help.
Lucian did not point out that she was too weak to fight her way out of a paper bag. He sat up carefully, not wanting to undo all the repairs Jaxon had so meticulously made. He needed several days of sleep in the rejuvenating soil before he would be back to his full strength.