ightly between her thumb and index finger

cts flared through the haze of pain. He spun around wildly,

ugh his violent haze for a fraction of a second. Carlton hesitated, his momentum throwing him off balance. Elizbeth seized the opening. She scrambled forward, grabbing his wrist with both hands and us

. His large right hand shot out and

e flushed dark red. She gagged, her left hand fl

remained steady. She still held the silver needl

muscles in his neck flexed and tightened,

acupoint. Without a second of hesitation, she

ster, Carlton's massive body went complete

loosen slightly. She shoved his hand away, gas

into the leather roll on the floor

serted the needles into the calming acupoin

he frantic, wild energy drained from

d from his eyes. His heavy eyelids drooped, and he collapsed

e carefully pushed his heavy shoulder

her entire body soaked in cold sweat. Her

face. Her heart ached. She reached out a trembling hand and

beth sat cross-legged beside him, her eyes g

witched. His index finger

s gone, replaced instantly by the cold

ately felt the strange, sharp p

fingers brushed the metal pins. His face

d threw them onto the floor. He slowly turned h

could blink

at once again. He lifted her off the flo

issed, his voice sounding lik