Read Toxic Part One (Celestra Series Book 7) for Free Online Page B

her neck should have alerted you.” He takes up my hand, sends a pleasant reverberation through me, and I hold on tight, begging for him to never let go.
    “Skyla—” Barron appears beside Gage. “You must undergo a transfusion. There’s no doubt in my mind that your organs are grinding. You could have scarring, permanent damage could occur—but I don’t have the blood of a Celestra on hand.”
    “Logan.” My lips hardly move when I say his name.
    “No, love.” Marshall sharpens his gorgeous features over me. “The Counts will turn him into a ball of yarn for the celestial cats running wild in the tunnels. Not a drop of his blood can enter your body. He’s one of them now, and they take treason quite seriously.” He pauses. “If Logan dies, it’s final. Once a Count is resurrected, they’re as mortal as the rest of you. They will know if his blood enters your body, and they will kill him.”
    “Logan.” It comes with tears this time. I can’t bear the thought of losing him. I’ve already lost Gage. Although he’s physically hovering above me, he’s merely a shell of who he used to be. This is an imposter—Gage has been one all along. 
    “Marshall?” His name quivers from my lips. “Give me your blood.”
    “I would be more than happy to comply, but it would kill you with efficiency,” he whispers as his golden hair catches the light like a flame. “There is a way. I’ve instructed Dr. Oliver to prepare an elixir that will force your body to restore your blood to normal levels within hours. I won’t lie—it’s quite painful. However, in order to correctly boost the levels in time to stop an internal meltdown, your body needs to undergo a powerful irritant.” He says it matter of fact like he were reading something banal off the back of a cereal box.
    “No thanks.” The thought of irritating my body in order to boost my levels sounds about as appealing as road kill stew. In fact I’d rather eat road kill stew and die in peace.
    I relax in the false bedding beneath me and reconcile the fact that soon I’ll be reduced to nothing more than casket decor.
    “Nice try.” Marshall refutes my efforts. “But the faction war needs you. The entire human race is in need of your supernatural services. I’m afraid death is not an option and neither is convalescing until the next time the Counts pull you under for an involuntary donation.”
    I open my mouth to protest, then realize for the first time Marshall is actually standing here and he just mentioned the faction war and the Counts in front of all three Olivers.
    “Everyone knows you’re a Sector?” It’s the first thing that springs from my lips with vigor.
    “No point in lurking in the shadows now that you’ve been captured.” He glides in and out of a smile. “I’m not advertising my celestial status outside of this small circle and neither should you.”
    I shake my head, not admitting to the fact I may have let a few other people in on his secret, like Dr. Booth and Chloe. Chloe is just like that worm back at Demetri’s hall of horrors. Once you unleash her into the world she becomes nothing but a big, fat nuisance.
    “So what’s the plan? How are you going to heal me?” I’m hoping this involves Marshall’s body, his feel-good vibrations, and very little else.
    Marshall dips his chin down to his chest and gives the gleam of a wicked grin. “I’m going to poison you,” he says with unrequited calm.
    Exactly what I was afraid of.
     
     

Chapter 7
    Stranger Danger
     
     
    The idea of Marshall poisoning me swills through my mind.
    Gage blips Logan back to the house, so he can get some much-needed rest and takes Dr. O with him to get Logan settled. It’s a relief having Gage out of the vicinity. I’m far too weak and tired to bleed out my emotions for another minute.
    Marshall sits me up and I recline against his blessed-by-God body. I could spend an eternity resting in his pleasurable embrace. I watch the rain press