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and then get out. I don’t have time to argue.” As if Tarin’s obedience was a foregone conclusion, he took hold of Tarin’s arm and nipped daintily at his wrist, the blood welling up instantly. “A minute or two at most,” he reminded Tarin as he left the room.
    Settling next to his lover, Tarin pressed his wrist to Boyce’s mouth. He sagged with relief as he felt his lover respond, sluggishly at first and then with growing vigour. He murmured promises of love and devotion, unaware of the passing of time. Feeling the vampire start to move, Tarin moved back. Although it was intended only to give Boyce room, the menacing growl had Tarin instantly remembering Flynn’s warning.
    He stood hurriedly, thinking that in Boyce’s depleted state he would reach the door faster than the vampire.
    He was wrong.
     
     
    From in front of the door his lover had tried to bolt through, Boyce approached slowly towards Tarin, backing him up until he there was nowhere for Tarin to go, and stood in front of the young man. Placing his hands on the wall on either side of the boy’s head so Tarin could not escape, Boyce leaned down and nuzzled into the long hair and then he licked and nipped the tender skin behind one ear. Inhaling deeply, he coveted the scent of his mate; a scent now overlaid with a tinge of fear.
    Boyce made note of something that had escaped him up to now . H is heightened sense of smell picked up another vampire ’ s touch on his mate , his and only his . With a snarl of fury , he reached forward and tore the shirt from Tarin , baring the human ’ s chest to his hungry gaze. A nother vampire would not claim what was his.
    Except for a gasp, Tarin remained motionless as Boyce rubbed his cheek down his bare chest, marking his mate with his scent, then turned his head, licking down his practically hairless torso, pausing to lave at both nipples. Boyce crooned softly, pleased at the way Tarin arched into him without fear, obviously forgetting the danger he was in. Boyce needed both blood and to reclaim what belonged to him.
    Tarin tried to move his arms. No! His mate’s attempted escape would not be tolerated. Tarin belonged with him. Here. Boyce wrapped Tarin’s hair around his fist and pulled his head to the side, baring his throat. Better. He licked at the vulnerable flesh; it was warm and sweet and the thundering pulse beneath the surface called to him like a Siren’s song.
    Despite being weakened due to blood loss, Boyce’s strength was still overwhelming for a mere human. The vampire used his body to pin Tarin in place against the wall.
    Determined, Boyce laved and sucked at Tarin’s throat, centring over the frantically beating pulse. Tarin whimpered. Boyce could hear the fear, yet in his mate’s eyes he could see Tarin had faith that Boyce would not hurt him.
    “Mine,” Boyce growled, and then sank sharp fangs deep into his lover’s throat.
    This was not like the feeding when they had made love, it was much rougher. Bloodlust filled Boyce as he subdued his prey. His mate jerked in Boyce’s arms, his body instinctively tying to resist the frenzied feeding as his life’s blood was drained. The slowly rising scent of fear was intoxicating and it urged Boyce to drink deeper, to sate himself with Tarin’s living essence.
    Slowly the bloodlust began to clear. The body under him lay almost lifeless except for a weakly fluttering pulse and barely noticeable breaths. The fear scent in the room strengthened. Horrified, Boyce pulled away, yanking his teeth from his victim’s throat, and the body crumpled to the floor with a weak cry.
    “What have I done? Tarin, my love, forgive me.” Boyce carefully cradled Tarin in his lap, watching desperately for signs of returning consciousness.
    Eyelids fluttered against pale skin.”I… knew,” Tarin murmured. “Trust… you… love…”
    “Hush, love, don’t try to speak. Why did they leave you with me?”
    “I… insisted. Others… needed elsewhere.” Even