Blood In The Stars by Jennifer Shea Page B

around her. The hard lines and curves of his muscles pushed against her breasts. Her fingers moved with a will of their own as they caressed his neck and shoulders. He brushed back the hair from her face, his touch searing her skin with passion. Her eyes fell on his lush lips. She wanted to taste them.
    When she gazed up again, his hooded eyes held dark desire. Jason lowered his head and brushed his mouth against hers. He hesitated for a split second, before crushing her body to his, bending her back as though he wanted to swallow her whole.
    Fire ignited Daria’s senses. She’d never had a kiss such as this, one meant to claim and possess her. She melted against him and parted her lips to accept his tongue, hot and probing. He gave his passion wholly, holding nothing back.
    A soft whimper escaped her as they explored each other. He tasted her deeply, his hand massaging her neck. She buried her fingers in his hair, wanting to pull him even closer, to mesh their bodies together as one. Her hand trailed down to the collar of his shirt until she couldn’t open it any further. She needed to feel his skin.
    She loosened his tie.
    Then she heard the scream.
    As a chill entered the air, the shrill shriek grew louder and closer, the piercing cries forcing Daria to cup her hands over her ears. Jason knew the keens well, for he’d heard them moments before the fatal car accident that killed Daria’s parents.
    His body tensed. Banshees.
    Reaching through the folds of space, he pulled out his sword with one hand while the other held Daria close. He slashed downward with his sword and a cry of pain broke through the night. A mangy green arm fell to the floor and turned into dust before disappearing.
    Ragged robes in the form of a woman appeared. The face remained hidden in the hood as the creature stumbled back, holding what was left of her arm. Banshees traveled in packs. Where were the others?
    Even as the question entered his mind, he felt them close in.
    “Hold on to me!” he urged Daria, and bent back, still clutching her tightly as a wave of coldness brushed over them. He pivoted and swiped low across the empty air. Another scream shattered the night as a leg split off from the banshee before turning to dust.
    There were two others but he felt them draw away, until their presence vanished into the darkness.
    Jason turned to Daria. The blood had drained from her face and a cold sweat gleamed across her forehead leaving her complexion pasty and damp. He sheathed his sword and held her in his arms. She stared off into space, eyes glassy and blank.
    “Daria!” He gripped her. Ice had kissed her skin, covering it in an arctic chill. He shook her, trying to bring her back to him. But she continued to gaze out into emptiness.
    Despite his maneuvering, a banshee had still touched her. A banshee’s touch numbed the victim’s senses and drained their warmth. As the victims grew colder, their life seeped out, leaving them immobile until death took over.
    She felt even colder than before. Jason pressed her tightly against his body. “Daria,” he breathed. “Come back to me. I know you can hear me.”
    The fog retreated from her eyes, replaced by some focus. She blinked up at him, confusion marking her face. “J—Jason?”
    Good. At least some of her senses remained. He cupped her cheeks in his hands.
    “Why . . . am I so . . . cold?” she stuttered.
    Jason gritted his teeth. He had only one alternative. She’d probably kill him for it. Better that than watching her die.
    “Can you move?” he cried. “Look at me, dammit!”
    Fear brightened her eyes briefly before her lids sagged in exhaustion. “N—no,” she whimpered.
    He scooped her up and raced down the hall to her bedroom. Then he set her on the bed and hesitated, biting his lip. Would she forgive him after he saved her life?
    “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “This is the only way.”
    Talking would help her concentrate on staying awake. What he planned to do might