Legacy of Blood by J. L. McCoy, Virginia Cantrell Page B

years old.”
    Oh hell no!  He did not just say that to me again!  
    “You know she is not like other newborns, Olei-,” Archer said quickly before I cut him off.
     “He most certainly did not take it easy on me!” I screeched indignantly and pointed to the bloody gash in my tank top.  “He fucking stabbed me, for crying out loud!  That’s not taking it easy on someone, Oleif; that’s called kicking ass and taking names.  That shit hurt like hell!”
    “Please,” he scoffed again.  “It was but a mere scratch.”
    “I’ll scratch you, you pompous dick,” I seethed angrily under my breath, my eyes narrowed to slits.
    “I’m sorry,” Oleif chuckled as he took in my pissed off face and cupped one hand behind his ear.  “What was that?  I missed it.”
    The door to the basement opened and I heard several pairs of feet make their descent.  An Dilis had arrived; I swallowed thickly as I turned back to a smug looking Oleif.
    “We WILL finish this later,” I hissed angrily.
    “I look forward to it,” he smirked and winked.  “That is, if there even is a later for you… creature.”
    Archer growled loudly in warning as Oleif turned his back and joined Ruarc and seven other men in the middle of the sparring mat.  God, I fucking hate him! Oleif started talking quietly with Ruarc, updating him on all things ‘creature’ related and I quickly turned back to Archer, realizing we only had a couple of minutes to ourselves before this whole testing mess started.
    “Archer,” I sighed as I closed my eyes tightly.  I was suddenly terrified of what I was about to go through.  I didn’t know if I’d make it out of this room alive, so I wanted to say my goodbyes to Archer now while I still had the chance.  “I’m so sorry you were dragged into this.  I-I never wanted to put you at odds with anyone.  You don’t have to watch this.  I don’t want you to see…”  I had to swallow hard, unable to finish the sentence.  I couldn’t bear to say it out loud, but I didn’t want Archer to have to see my final death.  I braced myself as I looked up into his eyes.  “I want you to go upstairs and be with the rest of your children.  I’ll be fine down here.  Hagan will be with me.” I tried to smile for him, to reassure him, but I just couldn’t manage it
    “Sshh,” Archer whispered as he gently grabbed my chin between his finger and thumb.  “Don’t talk like that.  I’m not going anywhere, Skye.  I will always stand by your side.  And, you did nothing wrong, love.  None of this is your fault.”  His face looked so pained and I could see how hard he was trying to keep it together for me.  But, I think that’s what finally broke the emotional wall I had steadily been building since the moment I found out Ruarc wanted to kill me.
    My vision blurred as tears rapidly filled my eyes and spilled down my cheeks.  I sobbed once out loud, unable to keep the sound in, and Archer quickly pulled me to his chest in a crushing embrace.  He held me tightly and whispered my name as he showered the top of my head with quick, desperate kisses. 
    Archer pulled my face up so I could see his eyes. He had tears in his as well.  “I’m so sorry, Skye.  I’m supposed to protect you and I can’t protect you from this.  It’s tearing me apart inside.”
    I shook my head as I wrapped my arms around his neck.  I rested my forehead against his lips and sighed, trying to calm myself so I could face Ruarc bravely when the time came.
    “I’m not sorry,” I whispered.  “I’m not sorry you intervened with Jesse that Saturday afternoon at Afterburners and I’m not sorry I left my phone on the table causing you to chase me down to return it. And I’m not sorry your stupid vampire pheromones called out to me and made me want to ride you like a horseless cowgirl.  Our first kiss was the best one I’d ever had and I wouldn’t give that back for anything.”
    “It’s too bad my vampire pheromones