Zeev POV
I shifted back to human form and tilted Harlee's face up so I could look at her neck better.  I sighed.  It wasn't too deep, it would heal soon enough, but it was bleeding heavily.  I wiped some blood off her chin with my thumb and the smell hit me again-hard.

"Harlee-I think you should go clean up now."  I told her carefully, then stepped her into the employee breakroom.  She darted off to the bathroom while I stared at the blood on my thumb.  Cautiously, I raised the thumb to my lips and licked the blood.  The electricity shot through me like I'd been shocked and nearly knocked me down.  I groaned and greedily sucked the rest of the blood off my thumb.  It was like a mini power boost.  I was hungry for more and could feel my eyes glowing.  I sat down on a bench and breathed heavily, getting myself back under control.  This made me hungry-even though I had just consumed a Demon, along with its own particular remaining power, I was going to have to go looking for souls soon.  I grimaced.  I knew how much Harlee hated it.

"I understand."  She said softly, standing in front of me.  "You've gone a long time without feeding for me.  If there was some way I could help you instead..."  She trailed off.  I eyeballed the paper towel she held against her neck.  Harlee followed my gaze.  "Will my blood really help you?"  She asked softly.

"I guess there's only one way to find out."  I shrugged.  She let the paper towel fall to the floor.

"Balance the Bond."  She said with a small smile.  "I'm trying to trust you Zeev, don't betray my faith."

"Yes, Mistress."  I grinned as she rolled her eyes.

Harlee POV
My neck was still bleeding, I could feel the trickle as Zeev stood and moved in closer.

"This will be easier."  He stated abruptly, yanking me to him and sitting back on the bench with me on his lap.  His face was so close to mine that I could see every last beautiful lash, all a mirage in the end.  A beautiful dream he'd concocted to lure in humans.  He licked his lips and the movement was disorienting, seductive.  His full lips parted slightly and I could feel his breath on my jaw.  "I'm not going to hurt you."  He said resolutely.

"Good."  I replied.

"Could you order me, just in case?"  He pleaded.

"I'm trying to trust you here and you don't even trust yourself?"  I scolded with mock outrage.  I gripped his face in my hands softly then ran my fingers along his Mark.  He shivered.  "Zeev, you won't hurt me."  I told him softly and he gulped.  I ran a finger through the blood on my neck.  "Here, let me help you."  I placed my finger on his lips, surprising both of us.  His lips parted slightly and his tongue darted out, tasting the blood.  His expression changed and he moaned slightly.

"This is way better than any of your greasy foods."  Zeev commented.

"Ew."  I replied and he laughed.

Zeev POV
Every taste of Harlee's blood sent an electrical current through my body.  I felt it strike at my Heart and the fibers connecting us.  I could almost feel both improving.  I wanted more.

I looked at Harlee's face, she was showing no fear, but I could hear her heart pounding.

"Hold very still."  I instructed and she swallowed, nodding.  I ran my tongue along my lips and then leaned my head forward slowly so as not to scare her.  The scent of her blood was driving me wild.  I darted my tongue along her neck.  She froze.  I felt the lightning pulse through my body again and clutched her tighter.  My eyes began to glow, so I buried my face against her shoulder for a moment to get myself back under control.

"Are you ok?"  Harlee asked after a minute.

"Yes, I just need a moment, please, just hold still."  I begged and she complied.  When I felt my Demonic side was well in hand, I looked back at the lightly bleeding wound on her neck.  I ran my tongue along it and Harlee shivered.

"Your tongue, it's rough-like a cats."  Harlee squeaked.  I growled.

"Please hold still, Lady.  If you set off my prey drive, we both will suffer."  I snarled.  She froze instantly and I could smell her fear.  I groaned.  "I didn't mean to scare you, Harlee..."  I sighed.  "May I continue?"  She hesitated, then nodded slightly.  I ran my tongue along her neck more eagerly, lapping up the blood.  She shivered, but tried not to move.  Every bit of blood was a jolt, like sticking my tongue to a live wire.  I felt the ties binding us become taught and I moaned as the Mark began to burn.  I heard Harlee gasp and knew hers did too.  I stopped then, resting my forehead against her temple.

"That's enough."  I sighed, and Harlee palpably relaxed in my arms.

"Told you you wouldn't hurt me."  Harlee said softly and leaned into my embrace.  I felt like I had been mentally patted on the head.

Harlee POV
Zeev bandaged my neck carefully and ran a finger over his handiwork.

"This should heal quickly, it would go faster if you'd allow me to help."  Zeev told me quietly.

"No use wasting your power."  I waved him off.  "You said the Bond increases my healing speed, so let it do its thing."  Zeev sighed.  "Now, I've been away from work for far too long-I better get out there before I get in trouble."  I sighed.  Zeev nodded and followed me to the door, which he opened for me.  I walked out with a smile, which immediately dropped from my face.

"Where were you?"  Hissed Josh.  Oh fuck-I forgot he had a shift this afternoon.  His gaze went beyond me to take in Zeev and hardened.  "Oh, now I see-fooling around in the back with your boyfriend during break, huh?"  He sneered.  Zeev growled and I held out a hand.

"Actually, I had an accident and Zeev brought some bandages by to patch me up."  I answered, brushing my hand along my neck.  Josh's look changed and he stepped forward, concerned.

"You're still bleeding!"  He exclaimed and grabbed my face to tilt it out of the way to get a better look.  As he did, his fingers brushed the Mark on my jaw and I froze.  Josh's dark eyes narrowed and then shot to Zeev.

"Demon!"  He spat  "How dare you Mark her!'  Zeev moved forward quickly and pulled me out of his grasp, stepping us back and into our home, away from Josh in an instant.

"What...Just happened?"  I blinked, confused.

"A warlock.  I should have known."  Zeev sighed.  "I should have known.  His power hadn't manifested so he didn't have the scent-not until he touched your Mark.  You 'woke him up' so to speak."  

"What?  What's going on now?  My head hurts."  I sank down on the couch.

"He's a human that can sense, see and interact with the Divine and Demonic.  Often called profits, soothsayers, magicians, witches, medicine men...."  Zeev rattled off a list.

"Yeah, I get it."  I held up a hand to stop him.  "What does that have to do with us?"

"Don't you see Harlee?"  Zeev sighed  "That boy's had a crush on you since he met you, and resented me for being what I am without even knowing why, plus being in the way, and now you belong to me so he'll never have you.  He's jealous."  Zeev said simply.  I laughed.

"You're ridiculous."  I retorted.  Zeev shook his head.

"You fail to see the effect you have on the people around you Harlee."  Zeev replied  "Especially now, when you're practically alight with Demonic allure."  He leaned towards me.  "Even I want to take a bite out of you, and look what trouble that got me into the first time."  Zeev growled.  I swatted at him.

"Enough."  I said sharply and he jerked back abruptly.  "Sorry, that sounded harsh-I just can't stand hearing stuff like that from you.  You're the one person I'm supposed to be able to count on now."  I stood and walked to the bedroom.  Shit!  I'd forgotten about work!  I dialed the manger's number, he answered on the third ring.

"Hi, sir, I'm uh, sorry...I had to leave early..."  I stammered, trying to come up with an excuse.

"It's ok-Josh told me you had an accident and were bleeding pretty badly.  I hope you're ok...  Will there be an incident report?..."  He asked hesitantly.  Of course, he was only concerned about the paperwork.

"Oh no-this happened on my break, off the premises, entirely my fault."  I laughed it off and heard him sigh.

"Oh good, why don't you take tomorrow off just to be safe.  It sounds like it was a nasty wound."  He suggested.

"Uh, alright?"  I replied.

"See you later-but not tomorrow."  He hung up.

"Well."  I dropped my cellphone on the bed.  Josh covered for me?