Page 136 of An Oath at Midnight

He came down on top of me then, and I wrapped my arms and legs around him, nothing between us now, and I held on tight as we rocked and strained against each other.

“You feel so good,” I said against his shoulder.

“Fuck, Mags, so do you.” He thrust deep inside me, grinding again, as if he couldn’t get deep enough. “I want to stay here for eternity, inside my mate,” he rasped, then kissed me.

We moved together, harder, faster, until our harsh breathing and the sounds of our bodies colliding filled my head. Bram’s gasping grunts mingled with his crow’s song. A husky, growly melody that was just for me. Waves of pleasure built inside me, higher and higher, and there was no holding it back, not anymore.

I arched in his arms, crying out as I came again, shaking and clutching him to me.

Bram groaned before he pulsed hard inside me, filling me again.

We clung tight to each other, sweat, and blood from the ritual, all over us as we slid together, as we finally collapsed in each other’s arms.

I lay there listening to his heart pounding.

“Was it how you imagined it’d be?” I asked when I could finally catch my breath.

He lifted his head and smiled down. “My imagination couldn’t have come up with anything as fucking beautiful as this.”

* * *

The night air was warm, moving through my hair as we flew through the sky. I tightened my arms around Bram’s neck and could feel the tension rolling through him. He wasn’t happy about my plan, but there was no other choice. Not only had the vines on my skin grown even closer, but I’d just broken myself out of Umbra. In the eyes of the council, I was a serial killer on the run, and they would assume my family had aided in my escape or were hiding me. Time had well and truly run out.

Asuka and the rest of the council weren’t going to back off, and she hadn’t believed what I’d said about Isaac. As soon as they had enough witches to stand behind them, they were coming after us—all of us.

Which was why my house was currently surrounded by wolf shifters and hellhounds and my sisters, Jazzy, Mom, and Else were taking turns to walk the perimeter of our property, spelling to keep our wards strong. No one was getting in and no one except Bram and I were getting out, not until this was over.

I had no choice but to end this thing tonight, and there was only one way that was going to happen. I needed proof. There was no room for a misstep. When I took Isaac down, I wanted to hand the council indisputable evidence.

We landed, and Bram immediately took my hand as we strode down the demon-filled street. I hadn’t been back to this place since the last time Bram and I ventured here, but there were things I needed. Ingredients the demon-run store had that I couldn’t get anywhere else.

Bram pushed the door open, and the same female as last time stood behind the counter. When she looked up and saw us, she sighed heavily. “You’re still alive, then.”

“You seem disappointed.” I strode up to the counter.

She shrugged. “Just surprised.” Her gaze moved over me. “But you’re different.” Her eyes narrowed. “What’s changed?”

I pulled my hands from my pockets and wiggled my black-tipped fingers. “I’m a reaper.”

She took an abrupt step back. “You’re not—”

“Here to collect your soul?” I shook my head. “Nope. But I’m hoping you have some oleander and that vial of vampire blood.” I had the spell I’d gotten from Shadow Falls, and if this was going to work, I needed that blood.

Her shoulders relaxed a little. “The oleander I can help you with. Still a no for the vamp blood. You’re going to have to source it yourself.”

“What about Ronan?” Bram asked.

If only. “It needs to be one hundred percent vampire.”

“We’ll take the oleander,” Bram said, then he turned to me. “I think I know someone who can help us with the blood. He owes me.”

We left the demon neighborhood a short time later, and Bram flew us to the other side of the city.

The Bank was packed when we walked in. The vampire-owned club always was on the weekends. I’d been here several times, and it could get wild. I had no idea about The Vault, the separate club in the basement. I’d never been able to get down there since it was only for blood drinkers and those willing to offer themselves up as donors.

Bram kept a tight grip on my hand as we strode through the crowd on the dance floor, then stopped in front of the door on the other side of the room.

The big vampire standing in front of it greeted us. “We got business with you tonight, crow?”