survive.”
“What’s the difference?” I had fought, and killed, vampires. I knew how to survive. His attitude annoyed me, and I wondered if I could best him right now.
He sighed. “My point exactly.”
I folded my arms and shifted my weight from foot to foot. I wouldn’t let up. I wouldn’t let this go until he gave me an answer. He dropped his folded arms and leaned against the desk.
“You must first learn that there are herbs that can quicken your healing process. You must learn that at this altitude, you can run for half a day before you must feed. You must learn exactly where to stake a vampire to result in immediate death. You need to learn that taking another’s life is the most important thing you’ll ever do, and you need to learn that fighting isn’t the only knowledge that leads to survival. Until you’re ready to kill whatever stands before you—a child, an elder, a witch —it’s not worth the time it will take to train you in combat.”
He stood abruptly and walked to a new set of French doors—the ones that would lead us back into the foyer. He opened the door and stepped through, but I didn’t follow. I stood, arms crossed, jaw tight. His words echoed through my mind.
Until you’re ready to kill whatever stands before you.. .
Could I do it? Could I kill someone? Could I kill a witch? If my life depended on it, would that make it easier? Could I do it to protect myself? To protect someone I loved?
I met Jasik’s eyes. He remained in the foyer, holding the door open, seemingly awaiting my decision.
“I will prove that I’m worth your time,” I said as I walked past him. I hoped my words hurt as they left my lips. I hoped they hit his ears with a dagger-like vengeance. When I turned around to face him, he still stared at the empty library.
He closed the door after a few more seconds and walked to the end of the foyer. To our right was another lounge, and directly in front of us was a large room with opened double doors. Several long tables that fit at least a few dozen were all that the room contained. The dining hall, I was sure of it.
I took a step forward and stopped in the doorway. The tables were packed with vampires. There were so many that I was sure the entire coven was in this room. They slurped on their straws, finishing their breakfasts. I put on a brave face and hoped it would suffice.
My mind flashed back to Amicia’s threat of tossing me out, but she said she’d wait until Jasik taught me the way of her people, until I could prove my worth. I didn’t see her now, but I was sure she was watching me—watching and waiting. This was a test; it had to be. She wanted to see how I’d react when I was surrounded by the creatures I had promised to kill.
Jasik lowered his hand to the middle of my back and slightly nudged me forward. We walked into the room together.
The vampires fell silent as I entered, but I ignored their devious grins and glares. Instead, I focused on the blood. Though I fought it, it was instinct. I inhaled deeply; the smell was intoxicating.
A rookie mistake.
I squeezed my hands shut until my knuckles went white. The thick aroma in the air was overpowering, tickling, poking, and prodding at my desire to feed. I couldn’t break down, not in front of the entire coven, not when everyone was sure I would fail. Though the thought made my stomach turn, I couldn’t be condemned from two covens in less than 24 hours.
That would be pathetic.
My heart pounded in my chest, and I fought to control my desire. My breathing became heavy; my fangs lengthened. I swallowed hard, but suddenly, my throat was dry. I bit my lower lip. I was losing my grasp on reality. I was a lioness stalking her prey, and just as I was about to pounce, Jasik grabbed my hand, intertwining his fingers with mine.
I barely heard the others gasp around us—at his public indiscretion. I was grateful for his devotion since it was clear that the others wanted to make a meal of
“What’s the difference?” I had fought, and killed, vampires. I knew how to survive. His attitude annoyed me, and I wondered if I could best him right now.
He sighed. “My point exactly.”
I folded my arms and shifted my weight from foot to foot. I wouldn’t let up. I wouldn’t let this go until he gave me an answer. He dropped his folded arms and leaned against the desk.
“You must first learn that there are herbs that can quicken your healing process. You must learn that at this altitude, you can run for half a day before you must feed. You must learn exactly where to stake a vampire to result in immediate death. You need to learn that taking another’s life is the most important thing you’ll ever do, and you need to learn that fighting isn’t the only knowledge that leads to survival. Until you’re ready to kill whatever stands before you—a child, an elder, a witch —it’s not worth the time it will take to train you in combat.”
He stood abruptly and walked to a new set of French doors—the ones that would lead us back into the foyer. He opened the door and stepped through, but I didn’t follow. I stood, arms crossed, jaw tight. His words echoed through my mind.
Until you’re ready to kill whatever stands before you.. .
Could I do it? Could I kill someone? Could I kill a witch? If my life depended on it, would that make it easier? Could I do it to protect myself? To protect someone I loved?
I met Jasik’s eyes. He remained in the foyer, holding the door open, seemingly awaiting my decision.
“I will prove that I’m worth your time,” I said as I walked past him. I hoped my words hurt as they left my lips. I hoped they hit his ears with a dagger-like vengeance. When I turned around to face him, he still stared at the empty library.
He closed the door after a few more seconds and walked to the end of the foyer. To our right was another lounge, and directly in front of us was a large room with opened double doors. Several long tables that fit at least a few dozen were all that the room contained. The dining hall, I was sure of it.
I took a step forward and stopped in the doorway. The tables were packed with vampires. There were so many that I was sure the entire coven was in this room. They slurped on their straws, finishing their breakfasts. I put on a brave face and hoped it would suffice.
My mind flashed back to Amicia’s threat of tossing me out, but she said she’d wait until Jasik taught me the way of her people, until I could prove my worth. I didn’t see her now, but I was sure she was watching me—watching and waiting. This was a test; it had to be. She wanted to see how I’d react when I was surrounded by the creatures I had promised to kill.
Jasik lowered his hand to the middle of my back and slightly nudged me forward. We walked into the room together.
The vampires fell silent as I entered, but I ignored their devious grins and glares. Instead, I focused on the blood. Though I fought it, it was instinct. I inhaled deeply; the smell was intoxicating.
A rookie mistake.
I squeezed my hands shut until my knuckles went white. The thick aroma in the air was overpowering, tickling, poking, and prodding at my desire to feed. I couldn’t break down, not in front of the entire coven, not when everyone was sure I would fail. Though the thought made my stomach turn, I couldn’t be condemned from two covens in less than 24 hours.
That would be pathetic.
My heart pounded in my chest, and I fought to control my desire. My breathing became heavy; my fangs lengthened. I swallowed hard, but suddenly, my throat was dry. I bit my lower lip. I was losing my grasp on reality. I was a lioness stalking her prey, and just as I was about to pounce, Jasik grabbed my hand, intertwining his fingers with mine.
I barely heard the others gasp around us—at his public indiscretion. I was grateful for his devotion since it was clear that the others wanted to make a meal of
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