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Any thought Jonny had of being fair, of fighting Valon honorably one-on-one, vanished the moment the vamp laid a hand on Ashley Already weak, unable to defend herself, Jonny had watched Valon hurt her - and felt his euard he kept it under He was reht when Czerno had almost killed his sister The pain and fear he'd kept hidden away for the sake of learning to rule his domain exploded inside him

He hadn't been in coed to yank back the animal side of him when he realized how close she was to death His successful determination to only take what he needed left hier than he thought, capable of subduing the animal inside hith now

He stepped between her and the rogue vaic Valon had caught hi to be fooled again A flurry of arrows and bullets rained fro thee weapons Valon had used, unable to reach full strength when Ashley was injured, Jonny doubted he'd havebuilt and pulsed in a protective sphere around higle to breathe He was inti wasn't going to prod her away froer

"You kill me this way, you kill your pet," Valon snarled "You don't have the balls, kid"

"I' God And you have no claim to my domain or title If you're smart, you'll run"

Valon sneered Ashley had punctured his stomach with the knife that killed Czerno Valon's face was covered in her blood

Jonny bent and picked up Ashley, cradling her against him

Her eyes fluttered open but she was otherwise co living in its path," he whispered against her temple "I need you to trust me, Ashley Can you?"

"Sure" Her somewhat delirious response was accoht hurt"

Some awareness returned to her eyes She touched his face with a treht s you, Ash"