Katie's Hellion

"It'd take all her blood at this point," Ully said absently.

Five sets of predatory eyes fell to her, as if realizing there was a lame lamb in their midst. She moved closer to Ully, even while knowing the skinny nerd was the least likely to defend her.

"Is it because she's his mate or because her blood sustains him?" Kiki asked, agitation on his face.

"Both, I'd say," Ully said. "If my serum worked, then we know her blood will give immunity. Rhyn's bond as her mate amplifies her natural ability. He needs less to do more."

"Sasha's figured it out," Kris said. "His monsters are tearing through our warriors like they're made of cotton candy."

"I know, I know."

"He drank her blood," Rhyn said.

"Sasha?"

"Yeah."

Once again, the predatory look from all. She wanted to shrink away and hide. Instead, she drew herself up to her just above average height, and confirmed, "He nearly killed me. He brought in a healer who pieced me back together when he was done."

"Before or after your mating to Rhyn?"

"Before," Rhyn volunteered.

"Would have to knock you off for that to work now," Kris said with thinly veiled hostility.

Kiki rolled his eyes, and Jade inched away from Rhyn, who bared his teeth in a humorless grin.

"Like children on a playground," Katie murmured.

"Worse," Kiki agreed. "In any case, it looks like Ully needs to go back to the drawing board, and we use Rhyn for now to take out Sasha's henchmen."

"Have you learned some control of that demon power, little brother?" Kris asked.

"Didn't have to," Rhyn said.

"Katie stabilizes him," Ully offered. "I did some tests and then asked Ginny for some research help. The mates of old balanced out the powers of your badass predecessors."

"Let me rephrase. Have you learned any sort of discipline?"

"It doesn't matter, Kris. We don't have much of a choice," Kiki said pragmatically. "I'll go with him."

"I don't need a babysitter," Rhyn snapped.

"Yes, you do," Kiki said firmly.

Both Rhyn and Kris sulked. Katie smiled, deciding she liked Kiki's no-nonsense attitude.

"We'll report back nightly," Kiki added. "In person. Jade's coming with us."

"Very well," Kris relented.

She frowned at the thought of Rhyn being gone all the time but was glad Jade would be with them and not around to try to drag her back to Sasha.