Page 43 of A Spark Of Revenge

It almost hurts to tear my gaze from Lennox, but I manage only for them to land on Valen, who looks equally upset. His blond hair is messy as he keeps pace with his brother. His black clothes are almost identical to Nox's, and the air around the two is sparking with magic. They are equally beautiful as they are terrifying to watch. But when my eyes meet Valen’s pale green ones, I frown, realizing they are red like he’s been… crying.

What the fuck? Why was Valen crying? Anger rushes through me as I storm down the stairs to meet them at the bottom, my eyes taking in every inch of Valen's sad expression.

“What did you do?” I hiss at Nox, my hand moving to the Kalis strapped to my hip that Jordan gave me during training. Nox’s dark eyes narrow on me as Valen sighs and shakes his head.

“Mi Sol,” he starts as I stomp toward them. But before he can continue, Nox steps between us, dropping his cloak and gloves on the floor and bending at the waist, his hands going around my middle, making me curse.

Oh, hell no! I’m not going over another damn Demon’s shoulder!

I twist out of Nox’s reach as Valen curses and tries to shove Nox away from me, but the huge Viking is too fast. A big arm cords around my waist, lifting me off the ground and yanking me to him so hard I grunt, the air leaving my lungs as he pins my back to his front.

“You damn, mother fucking Viking!” I snarl between gasps as I try to regain my breath. Nox doesn't stop walking as he hauls me up the stairs, his arm tightening around me as I repeatedly smack at his hand.

“Lennox! Put Meyer down immediately!” Valen snarls, grabbing Nox’s cloak and gloves from the ground before rushing after us. Nox growls low in his throat, his face lowering until I feel his breath on my neck, and I freeze, goosebumps racing across my skin as I fight the urge to shiver. I will not give him the satisfaction of knowing how my body reacts to him when he’s this close.

“Stop fighting me, Little Demon. This could be much more enjoyable for the both of us if you would only obey.” He grinds out the last words as he gets to the top of the stairs and starts down the hall, moving us in the direction of the Ranger barracks.

And just like that, my arousal problem is fixed!

Twisting in his hold, I manage to elbow him in the side, making him loosen his hold enough for me to turn in his arms. My hand grabs the hilt of my kalis as I spin, wrapping my legs around Lennox’s waist and pressing the edge of my blade to his neck. Lennox's steps falter as Valen races up the stairs behind him, skidding to a stop at Lennox's side when he sees the knife.

“Let me go,” I demand, glaring at Nox as he arches his scarred black brow in challenge.

“Is this supposed to be a threat, Meyer?” he growls under his breath, leaning closer and bringing our faces much too close for comfort. I press my blade harder to his skin in response and try to ignore the shiver that runs down my spine when a bead of dark red blood pools, then spills down Nox’s neck. “Because I can tell you now,” he rasps, pressing his neck into my blade, making his blood flow like a tiny river. “It's doing the opposite of what you probably want.” Lennox’s hands move down from my hips, cupping my ass and grinding me into his… fucking huge and extremely hard erection.

Oh fuck! I way overplayed the game, and now I have an angry… horny Demon Prince in between my legs. The smell of his blood fills my senses, sparking something dark inside me, and I have to bite back a groan as my hips rock just the slightest amount against Lennox’s long length.

“Lennox! Don't make me force you to let her go,” Valen snarls as he catches up to us, dragging me from the weird lust-induced fog that had crept into my brain. I gasp, tearing my kalis away from Lennox's throat and shoving at his shoulders, needing him to let me go. He does the opposite. Of fucking course he does. Because this is Lennox Regalis, and nothing is ever easy with him.

“Nox,” I try to say in a firm voice, but it comes out breathy, and I instantly hate myself for it. He tsks under his breath as he starts to walk again, his pace faster than before, weaving through the halls with me in his arms. “You wanna play, Little Demon?” Nox says, his mouth skimming over the shell of my ear, making my breath hitch in response. “Let's play.” His hand wraps around the hilt of my blade, but instead of taking it from me, he moves my hand so that the blade is held more firmly in my trembling hand.

“What are you…” I trail off when Nox brings the blade back to his throat, his hand wrapping around mine and holding the knife dangerously tight against his flesh.

“Demons are fast and strong. If you want to kill one, you have to act quickly. Never falter and never question yourself, or it will be too late,” he instructs in an oddly calm voice. “And don't hold it at the center of their throats,” he continues, walking swiftly up the final flight of stairs before moving us into the cold air outside. “Demons have a thick muscle that runs down the center of their throats to protect the jugular. You’ll have a better chance of a fatal blow if you go from the side of the throat. There is an artery on the right side. Sever it completely, and the Demon will bleed out before he can heal himself.”

“Are you seriously teaching her how to kill you?” Valen asks in shock, taking a break from his threats as he studies Nox and me.

Warm air greets us as Nox storms through the door of the barracks, making the Rangers sitting on the couch jump to their feet in surprise, their eyebrows hitching when they see us. Great, fucking perfect! Now there’s going to be gossip during training tomorrow.

“She needs to know these things if there are Demons helping the Hunters,” Nox defends, his dark eyes locked on me as he speaks to his brother. Heat pools in my center at the intensity of his stare, and I swallow hard, holding his gaze, refusing to back down from whatever challenge he’s offering. Nox’s grin grows as he walks up the stairs, then kicks the door of his office open. Stepping into the familiar room, he strides over to his desk, surprising me when he sets me on the surface with a gentleness I wouldn't expect from the asshole. “Now,” he growls, hand still wrapped around mine. “Are you going to take your chance and kill me? Because this is the only chance I’ll give you.”

My eyes widen, and my mouth drops open in shock while Valen curses at our side, tossing Nox’s cloak and gloves on an empty chair before weaving his fingers into his already mused hair.

“You want me to kill you?” I murmur in surprise, my fingers tightening around the handle of my blade.

“If you want to,” Nox whispers. “I betrayed you… right?” he asks, and I frown. Is this a trick question? Where is he going with this? “I lied and told you what you wanted to hear. I kept you alive in order to use you. You have every right to revenge, Little Demon. So this is me giving it to you.”

“Nox…” Valen grinds out in warning. I’m not sure if it's to stop whatever game he’s playing or if he’s actually worried I will slit his brother's throat.

“Did you?” I whisper, watching Nox’s expression as he frowns in question.

“Did I what?”

“Did you betray me? Or did you lie? They are two different things. Valen lied…” I whisper, and from the corner of my eye, I see my dream man flinch. “But he never betrayed me. In fact, he willingly gave his life to keep me safe.” Nox's eyes widen, but he never looks away from mine, keeping me locked in this odd power struggle.

“I am what I am, Meyer. It’s not something I will apologize for, I needed you in order to save my brother,” Nox states, his voice firm and cold, and I nod.

“But would you have let me die? Did you only save me to use me? That night of the Beastia attack. The night you killed them and healed me before we…” I trailed off, not wanting to bring up the kiss we shared that has starred in several of my dreams. “Was it only to use me?” I finally finish, watching his face closely for any signs of a lie.

---