Her heart spread doubt throughout her body as Lev’s fangs slowly pierced and tore through her skin. Vero wrapped her hands around his waist, her fingers digging into his back, suppressing the pain and fear.

Not fear for herself but for him.

In the next moment, she could smell and feel the blood saturating her shoulder and neck. Her eyes were tightly shut, forgetting even to breathe as her mind was consumed by something else.

What if the drug failed? What if her blood became more toxic and killed Lev right now? What if—

“Verona.”

Her eyes snapped open. Lev was staring at her, no longer sucking her blood. Red...