DANTE
One minute, I was staring at Oleander in awe after what I'd just witnessed; the next, she was sliding down the wall.
"Dante," she whispered, reaching weakly for my jacket.
I caught her before she hit the floor, cradling her in my arms. My nose wrinkled as the scent of blood hit me.
Hers.
The damned rogue had gotten a swipe in before they were shredded apart.
That blood did something to me. Stirred something deep in my gut. A warmth I couldn't explain. But no—
She was my enemy's daughter. I didn't feel anything for her. I couldn't.
I shoved the sensation down and focused on her.
"Hey," I said, gently shaking her. "Come on, I didn't bring you to this place for you to faint on me."
No response.
Her hand slipped from my jacket and dropped to her side. Her head lolled back.
I pressed two fingers to the base of her neck. Relief punched through me at the steady echo of her heartbeat.
"Damn it, Oleander," I hissed, tightening my grip as I lifted her into my arms.
