He could still taste her skin. Still smell the jasmine in her hair. He rolled over, eyes slowly opening, and the bedclothes were damp, as if they’d been left out in the night air. “Ava…,” he whispered. A knock came at the door. “Wake up.” It was Rhys. “We’ve got work to do in the library. Leo wants to start your talesm tonight.” He glanced at the clock. It was just after six. Malachi took a deep breath and stretched up from the bed, his body refreshed and relaxed despite the hour. He stretched his neck to the side and reached over his left shoulder to stretch the muscle in his arm. As he did, his fingers brushed against something that made him wince. He frowned and stood, going to the mirror near the closet door. Curved into the tan skin of his shoulder were three scratch marks. “More.” He blinked at the memory of her voice. Was it a dream or a memory? “It’s been too long. I need you. Harder.” He could feel the bite of her nails. Hear her breath. There was a low rumble in his throat as he remembered her nails digging in.
