[Dorian has to fight for calm as his rusted-shut survival instincts begin to creak open. His lungs pull for air, but Vanessa's fingers hold his throat shut. It's all right. She is already weakening behind his fingers.
Her grip loosens, and he sucks in a greedy gasp. He keeps her pinched with his hand until she is fully unconscious, sitting up as she slumps and taking her weight against him. Gently, so gently, he carries her to the floor.
As much as he would like to wait to make sure she's all right, she'll only be out for about as long as it took to take her down, and he can't risk her starting the fight again. He wastes no time in staggering to his feet. Reluctantly, he turns away and runs swiftly down the hall toward the stairs.]
no subject
Her grip loosens, and he sucks in a greedy gasp. He keeps her pinched with his hand until she is fully unconscious, sitting up as she slumps and taking her weight against him. Gently, so gently, he carries her to the floor.
As much as he would like to wait to make sure she's all right, she'll only be out for about as long as it took to take her down, and he can't risk her starting the fight again. He wastes no time in staggering to his feet. Reluctantly, he turns away and runs swiftly down the hall toward the stairs.]