Fallen Into Hell: Fallen: Book 2, Layna Snow [the mitten read aloud .TXT] 📗

faces. It could be heard in their voices.

“Well, I’ve got some free time. I can’t leave here for a few more hours and there really isn’t anything else to do.” Julian complained, as if this huge mansion was empty. There were libraries and computer rooms. There were labs and so many people he was surprised that there were enough rooms for them all to stay. But, Julian wasn’t usually one for mental exercising. He was known to be quite lazy when he wanted to be.

“Fine. Hand to hand. No weapons.” Connor demanded. If he spilled any of the Shifter’s blood… he didn’t know if he could stand it. Already the scent of him so close made Connor want to draw that copper-sharp fluid out. But he needed to learn control.

You will not be ruled by your desire to feed!

Connor took a deep breath and made his way over to the mats, hearing Julian follow.

“So, have you discovered any extra abilities yet? I should know if you have me at a disadvantage.” The Lion-Shifter chuckled, the sound flowing like a wave over Connor. Julian was known for his charm, his debonair attitude that was at home on the beach, as well as at a black tie event. He could get information out of anyone without them even knowing. He could work someone into a false calm. Which was probably why he made such a good person to train with now. It wouldn’t do for Connor to lose his temper.

“Just the usual.” But he hadn’t mastered them. As much as he tried, Connor’s body wouldn’t listen.

“Alright. That’s fine.” The other man said, turning quickly so that they faced each other.

Sparring here was always no holds barred. They wouldn’t stick to rules. The bad guys didn’t fight with honor, and so they wouldn’t train with honor.

Connor attacked first, pushing his shoulder into the other man’s chest. He pushed Julian back a few feet before the cat kicked off the ground, rolling backwards and out of the way.

Con fell forward, his momentum carrying him to the ground faster than he would have expected, not used to his new strength.

“Well, that’s going to leave a mark.” Julian muttered, as he kicked out with his sneakered foot towards Connor’s solar plexus. Connor saw it coming and pushed himself to the side, away from the blow, only to flip over a few times in the air before coming to the ground hard on his side. He could feel his body protesting the rough landing.

Shit!

He needed to get used to this new power in his muscles.

Julian whistled in appreciation. However Connor could tell that it wasn’t his skills the Lion was impressed with, but how disastrous his landing was. “You almost need to learn how to fight all over again. I’m sorry, dude.” He did sound concerned, but Connor wasn’t listening.

He needed to act. Needed to expel some of this energy from him. Maybe then it would make everything dim just a little.

So he attacked. Pushing up from the ground, his pain already starting to subside, and threw himself at Julian, knocking the man down to the mats.

The blond man’s head bounced on the mats once before he seemed to collect himself, but Connor wasn’t giving him time to get his act together. He struck out, slamming a punch to his chin, and then one to his temple.

The cat blinked, clearly dazed before smashing an elbow into Connor’s ribs. The extra DNA made the Lion-Shifter stronger than a Human, and the blow hurt, but not enough to faze him.

Con pushed himself up a little, giving himself enough room to put his knees on Julian’s arms to hold them to the ground. He then punched the suave man in the nose, and felt the bone crunch under his fist.

Really, no man deserved to be that pretty. He looks like a Sun God for fuck’s sake!

“Fuck man!” Julian snarled, his words sounding sloshy and funny. As blood started to leak out of the damaged mess.

Scent rose up to him. Punching him in the gut.

Connor’s stomach cramped in hunger.

Want…

NEED!

The smell was great, like the best food he could imagine. It was like walking into a thanksgiving dinner after starving for a year. And he could feel his fangs dropping down as he looked at the beautiful liquid.

Just… one… taste!

Before he could reach down for some life giving nectar, Julian wrapped his legs around Connor’s waist and rocked his body forward, throwing Connor off balance.

He fell backward, so quickly that his head smashed against the floor.

Off the mats.

Connor hit so hard that his vision dimmed before he felt the shrill pain.

Connor didn’t even know how it happened, but when his eyesight cleared, he found himself on his back with one of Julian on top, arm on his windpipe and the threat clear.

“Gif up,” the man demanded, his tone nasally and disgusting, but it didn’t stop the hunger that continued to rise within him.

Connor had denied feeding. Sure, he was given blood by a needle, but he wouldn’t actually get any in his mouth. He’d take what he needed by IV, like people with medical issues did. He was not going to actually drink it!

At this point in time, however, none of his fears or reservations surfaced. He couldn’t think of any reasons why.

He just wanted to feed. And it was right there.

All he saw was red. All he wanted was the blood that dripped from the man’s nose.

Splashing onto Connor’s face.

NEED!

Connor roared, pressing his trapped legs into the other man’s chest.

NEED!

The body fell, too off balance to catch itself.

Then Connor was on top of it, holding it to the ground with his whole being as he eyed the red, sticky fluid that called out to him.

He didn’t