Page 16 of Bound

One of the vampires tosses down his weapon and seems to betrying to talk to Beck. “Isn’t this the part where he backs down?”

It’s easy to see the vampire is trying to surrender, butBeck isn’t listening.

“Shit.” Dante looks down at the railing, seeming to be judgethe distance to the floor of the arena. He looks back and takes my shoulders inhis hands. “Okay, sweetheart, I’ve got two choices here. I can pray that Beckgets his shit under control or I can ask you to take one for the team.Actually, there are three, but I can’t accept choice number three.”

The crowd roars around us. Beck begins to prowl toward thevampire who keeps pleading. The gnomes start to creep out, and they haveweapons in their hands.

“They’re going to go after Beck, aren’t they?” I ask thequestion despite the fact that I know the answer.

“They’ll try to contain him, but they’ll fail.” Dante’smouth turns down. “They’ll die, too, and I’ll have to put Beck down. It’sstupid but I actually carry around something that will do the trick. That’s howserious this is. If he starts, he won’t stop until he’s dead, and then all islost. Look, I owe my cousin everything. I’m going to beg you to help him.”

“Me? I can’t fight…” The connection. I’m the bridge. “Howcan it work if his brother isn’t here?”

“He is nothing but instinct right now,” Dante explains. “Hisinstinct is to kill, but there are other instincts. You are very important tohim. You have to get him to see you, to need you. He’ll want to protect you,but beyond that he’s going to want to claim you.”

“I thought that was what this whole thing is about. He hasto win and then he gets to…” Does he mean what I think he means? “Are youtalking claiming in a biblical sense?”

“I don’t know what that means,” Dante admits. “I’m talkingabout sex. There’s a ritual. Beck has to prove he can physically claim a mateor he can’t take you with him. Women and men who can form the bond are highlyprized. If he doesn’t have at least a shot at making babies with you, you’ll begiven to someone who does.”

“I’m a human being, you know.” I feel like I have to pointout a few of this plane’s inequities.

“Yes,” Dante agrees. “It wouldn’t work if you weren’t.What’s it going to be? Because we’re minutes away from me having to take out mycousin. I’m begging you. You’re the only one who can save him.”

I look back to the arena, and Beck has the vampire againstthe wall. He’s going to do it. He’s going to kill the vampire who’s begging forhis life.

But he doesn’t want to. He doesn’t want to be this man, thisrolling ball of pain and rage that will someday suck everyone into his hell.

I’m not sure how I know, but this isn’t Beck. He isn’t akilling machine. He’s a man trying to save his brother, and I’m the key.

Again, I feel his pull, and I have to follow the call. Dantegoes first, gracefully jumping over the wall and then turning to offerassistance. I’m not so graceful, but there isn’t time for me to do anythingbeyond get over that railing by any means necessary. The vampire Beck is aboutto kill has nowhere else to run and is seconds away from being skewered.

Beck will never be able to forgive himself. Not if he killssomeone like this.

“He asked for mercy, Beck. There’s no reason to kill him.”Strangely it feels right to be here. In the back of my mind I know I should bescared, but suddenly I’m certain I can handle him. Dante’s right. I’m the onlyone who can handle him.

For the first time since I woke up here, I realize I’m notwithout some power.

Beck stares at me long enough for the vampire to get away.

He shakes his head as though he has to force himself to lookanywhere else. He turns to Dante, his mouth a flat line. He’s splattered withblood and points back toward the seats. “Get her out of here. How dare youallow her on the battlefield!”

Dante puts both his hands up as though trying to show Beckhe doesn’t have any weapons. He also moves back a good five feet. “The battleis done, cos. It’s time for you to come down now.”

“Not until I’m finished.” Beck’s voice is rough, and hiseyes narrow on Dante. “You should never have walked out here. Are youchallenging me?”

I really am going to have to save them all. “Beck, Dante isnot challenging you. No one is challenging you anymore. They’re all runningaway. You scared the crap out of them.”

Beck looks around, and I can plainly see that he’s angry theothers are getting away. It’s time to step up my game or he’ll chase them alldown. I move in and place my hand on his chest, his skin under my palm.

Dante stays where he is, but he holds a hand out as if toask her to come to him. “Meg, he’s too far gone. You’ll have to…”

“I heard you in the stands.” It would be a terrible mistaketo try to walk away now. I’m not afraid for myself. If Beck thinks for a secondDante is trying to take me away from him, things might take a bad turn. Isoften my voice, trying to sound vulnerable even as I weirdly feel empowered.“Beck, I’m yours. Are you going to leave me alone to chase after the others?Shouldn’t you take care of me?”

Dante shakes his head. “Not going to work. Meg, if you can’thandle it, then I need for you to run. Run to the stands. I’ll distract him.”

“Shut up,” Beck barks in a deep voice. “You don’t talk to mymate.”

Oh, he’s going to be such fun. If he wasn’t so hot and Icouldn’t feel how emotional he is, I would walk away. But something compels meto stay even though I know I’m about to join the exhibitionism club. Well, Iwanted to explore my sexuality. “Fine, but you better be right. If I find outthis is a stupid joke, I’ll stake you myself.” I throw my arms around his neckand mold my body to his. The minute I touch him my whole body comes to life.It’s easy to go up on my toes and brush my lips over his. The sword he holdsfalls out of his hand. “Please, Your Highness, I am yours. You have to takecare of me.”