"Don't come any closer!" Hadrian's voice thundered as he shoved me away from the edge of his bed.

"You know this is the only way!" I cried, my voice trembling with desperation.

"I know..." His reply was faint, almost a whisper, as he turned his head away.

I could see the tension etched on his face, the way his jaw clenched tightly. He was gritting his teeth, fighting a losing battle against the bloodlust that threatened to consume him. It was a war he could not ...