Harlee POV
"Interesting-I didn't think that thing would actually work." Josh said curiously. Zeev gripped the handle of the knife and pulled a six inch blade from his shoulder. Blood splattered across the floor and the shadowy wisps leaked out faster like smoke escaping a dying fire. I gasped as the blade cleared his skin and fell to a knee, the pain was intense. Blood soaked the front of my shirt rapidly. Zeev snarled loudly.
"You've done more damage to her than to me!" He snapped at Josh. "You know that we are Bound and that blade is intended to be used against Demons. It will take time to heal-time I don't think she has!" Josh looked at me in horror as Zeev ripped my shirt away from my shoulder to look at the wound. For Zeev, the six inch knife wound looked relatively small and insignificant, but I was relatively small and insignificant compared to Zeev.
"Damnit! I think you've hit an artery! There's too much blood!" Zeev scooped me up and raced through the breakroom with me and into the employee restroom. "I'm sorry Harlee-this is going to hurt." He growled and I felt him hold my shoulder under the faucet briefly to rinse the blood from my chest. Water and blood went everywhere. "Hold on, hold on, this is gonna be worse." He gritted his teeth and opened the wound. I screeched as he plunged two fingers within it.
"How bad is it?" Josh panted in the doorway.
"Artery's been nicked. I can feel the blood pulsing against my fingers." Zeev growled. I felt him pushing his healing abilities into my body through the wound, trying to close it.
"I don't have the power for this." He roared in frustration. "That damn blade keeps me from healing quickly, which means I can't concentrate on Harlee's wound." He clenched his teeth. I felt like I was going to pass out.
"What about that stolen Grace-do you have any of that left?" Zeev suddenly snapped at Josh.
"My family's healing ointment? Yeah." Josh dashed out of the bathroom. My stomach roiled as Zeev pressed down on the wound on my shoulder, trying to slow the bleeding.
"Zeev..." I gagged. The pain made me want to vomit.
"Here." Josh panted, handing Zeev a jar. Zeev tore the top off with his Demon's teeth and poured some directly in the wound he was still plugging with his fingers, making me screech, then he gulped the rest in one go.
"Zeev, no-!" I gagged again as a fresh wave of pain ran through me and Zeev turned me on my side. I saw his teeth gritted against the pain leaking through our link and from the Angel whose stolen Grace he had just consumed.
"Uh, I don't think you were s'posed to drink that." Muttered Josh as I gagged again, watching the memories tumble through Zeev's mind.
'Oh Zeev-no!' I cried out to him in my mind. I felt his comforting hand on my head as the vomit finally poured out of me onto the floor. I balled up, holding my stomach while Zeev smoothed my hair.
'I told you I would do anything to protect you.' Zeev replied soothingly in my mind, even though I could feel his muscles tense around me as the Grace took full effect. He roared and Josh was knocked backwards as Zeev's Demon Form struggled to manifest. His wings settled around us, and I saw with satisfaction that his fourth wing was fully rebuilding itself in front of my eyes.
"Your turn." He snarled and placed a hand over both our shoulders. I felt the burn as the wound closed up. The feeling of my muscles and flesh knitting back together was uncomfortable-like someone was pulling sewing needles and thread through it all and pulling it tight together. I squeaked, and tried to move away, but Zeev pinned me to the floor.
"Don't move Harlee, there's not much Grace, and a lot of damage between us." Zeev's harsh whisper reached me. He panted slightly and I heard the rustle as his wings settled on the tile floor amidst the blood, water and vomit. The smell of rain hit me and I sighed slightly, finally finding my stomach calmed, and the pain subsiding. Zeev sat back.
"That's all I can do." He panted. I couldn't restore all your blood volume, so you need to take it easy for a while. Maybe eat something sweet as if you'd donated blood. I'm sorry, it scarred." He winced. I looked down and ran a finger down the fresh pink scar on my shoulder, then flung myself into Zeev's arms. He hesitated for a brief moment before wrapping his arms tightly around me, crushing me against him, one hand tangled in my hair. I felt him lean his head on top of mine and his wings close slightly around us.
Zeev POV
The Mage raced back into the room desperately searching for Harley. He saw my wings and was stunned for a moment, then horror took over his expression as he looked at her shoes sticking out from under them.
"Is she?" He stammered. I tucked my wings away and Harlee blinked at him.
"I'm ok." She smiled slightly. "But don't ever do that again you jerk!" She yelled and I couldn't help but laugh.
Josh tried to make up for it by cleaning up the majority of the mess himself. I brought Harlee a change of clothes and helped her clean up. After she changed she leaned in my arms glaring at Josh. She handled most of the customer service while I subtly kept an eye on the boy as he cleaned. No use in letting him get any wild ideas about absconding with some of our blood. Potent stuff-Demon Blood.
"Amazing how much trouble a little twerp like him can cause." I murmured in Harlee's ear as the end of the day drew near. She elbowed me.
"Thanks for saving me. Again." Harlee said, reaching up a hand to gently touch the Mark on my neck. Warmth flooded through our link from her and there was another feeling there beginning to grow... My heart beat faster. Was Harlee falling for me? I kissed the top of her head.
Harlee POV
I couldn't wait to be home and I promptly collapsed on the couch with a groan. I was already half asleep by the time Zeev brought something for me to eat. He shook me gently.
"Harlee-you should eat something." He was leaning over me, looking at me with concern. I smiled slightly as the smell of his cinnamon and spice breath reached me.
"Mmm-I'll have some of that." I said and pulled his face to mine. He looked shocked for a second before a greedy look took over his face and he pressed himself against me on the couch, deepening our kiss and teasing my mouth open with his tongue. After a few moments he pulled back and I panted.
"No don't stop." I whined.
"You really should eat." He scolded
"After." I bargained.
"Before." He countered.
"Nuh uh, then I'll feel all full and yucky and sleepy, this'll work up an appetite." I reasoned. Zeev growled and pressed me into the couch once more.
"Harlee are you happy?" Zeev murmured softly.
Zeev POV
I held my breath waiting for her reply as she wound her fingers in my hair.
"Today, more than I have been in a very long time." She answered. "Kayla's safe, I'm safe. Josh is a bit of a nuisance.." I chuckled. "But you really do want to keep me safe, don't you? And even though Josh hurt us, you didn't retaliate, just like I'd asked you not to." She said with awe, running a soft hand down my face. "Is it really possible for you to love me?" She whispered, searching my eyes.
"Harlee... You know the Bond is what makes me obey you." I replied sadly.
"I know, but there's more between you and I. You've nearly killed yourself twice now to save me. The first time might have been selfishly motivated at first, but this time, why did you do it?" She demanded softly.
"I...I..." I searched for an answer. She already knew I loved her, I had told her before, but I didn't want her to mistake my obligations from the Bond for acts of Love. I leaned my forehead against hers. "I wish I could say it was entirely out of love for you, but the Bond.." She placed a finger on my lips.
"It doesn't have to be 'entirely' out of love. The fact that there's some part of you that feels it may have been motivated in part by love is enough." She brushed her lips against mine, then pulled me down harder against her. 'The rest will come later' I heard her whisper in my mind.
Harlee POV
Lust drove Zeev's Demon side out and I whispered his True Name as his eyes turned orange, causing him to growl and grind his hips against mine. I don't remember ever being so forward with a man before, and the fact that I was basically seducing a Demon would have made me laugh or cry with fear if his scent and the feel of his skin wasn't so distracting. He traced the scar on my shoulder with his lips and murmured apology after apology as he moved with me, despite my reassurances to him about it. After my body had taken all the pleasure it could, Zeev laid his head on my stomach, arms wrapped around my waist. I ran my fingers through his hair.
"Did you get what you needed from me to sustain you for a while?" I asked him softly.
"Yes, My Lady." He replied.
"Good." I closed my eyes. "I love you so much Zeev." I sighed.