“No, Paul. Don’t do this. He can’t make you do this. I know you don’t want to. I trust you, Paul. Always have. Always will. He doesn’t have a hold over you anymore. Fight him. Fight him now, and you’ll be able to fight him later.”

I could feel the tension thrumming through his body as he fought the compulsion to rip into my throat and drink. His eyes flickered, black to glowing yellow. His head dropped lower, but I didn’t stop my low patter. I wasn’t even sure what I was saying anymore. I just knew I needed him to hear my voice. My not-prey voice.

His motion slowed, and I turned, slowly, carefully, to watch the struggle on his face. His eyes glowed a brighter yellow, and I felt his claws prick the skin on...

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