Page 44 of A Spark Of Revenge

Nox swallows, and for the first time since we started our weird staring match, he drops his gaze, freeing me from his eye's hypnotic spell. Keeping my knife pressed to the side of his neck, I dart my hand out and grab his cheek, surprising him and making him grunt as I force him to look back at me. “Don't lie to me,” I warn, adding a little pressure to my knife as a warning.

Nox scowls and reaches up, grabbing my hand and prying my fingers off his cheek. “I wanted it to be for that reason,” he admits, and my heart sinks, and my shoulders drop when I see the truth of his words in his eyes. Coldness rushes over my body, wrapping me in its firm embrace.

Wow… that hurt more than I thought it was going to.

“But it wasn’t,” Nox finally says, voice husky as he stares into my eyes. I tilt my head to the side in shock, waiting for him to say something that might contradict his admission, but he doesn’t. Slowly, I peel my fingers back from my kalis and let it fall from my grasp, dropping between us as Lennox glares at me. His hand darts out, catching the blade before it can fall in my lap, then sets it on his desk as he takes one step back from me, then another.

Valen curses and swoops in, snagging me under the arms and yanking me into his protective hold as I stare at Nox. I’m not sure if I will regret not taking Nox up on his offer to slice his throat, but what I do know is that Nox wasn't lying. There was nothing but truth in his eyes, and for now… that's enough.

“I still hate you,” I finally mutter, not liking the warmth I feel when I see his stupid face. My words make the stern expression on Nox’s face lighten, and he chuckles, shaking his head as he sighs.

“Good. I would think less of you if you didn’t.”

“You two are fucking weird,” Valen snaps, his hand cupping the back of my head as he glares at his brother. “Do not pull that shit with her again,” he warns Nox.

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Lennox sarcastically drawls while moving away from the desk. “Besides, she won't be my problem for the next few hours.” He turns and stalks to the office door. Wait, what?! I take a deep breath, ready to demand answers, but Valen beats me to the punch.

“Don’t you dare do anything to her!” Valen hisses, his hands tightening protectively on me while his eyes darken. Lennox chuckles while reaching for the doorknob.

“Calm down. Weren’t you listening to what I just said?” he asks while his gaze locks with mine. “You’re his responsibility for the time being.” Nox opens the door, and a resigned-looking Creed joins us, his shoulders hunched forward as he gives me a small, worried smile.

“Hell no!” Valen and I shout simultaneously, making Creed wince like our words are a physical blow.

“Neither of you has a choice in the matter,” Lennox growls out. “Meyer needs to train more, or she will get herself killed.” Valen stiffens, indignant rage apparent on his face. “Meyer’s talents lean toward blades. She’s already decent at knife throwing, and swords are the logical next step. You and I know there isn’t a better swordsman than Creed…on either side of the Veil.” He looks over at Creed, who is uncomfortably scuffing the toe of one boot on the floor but doesn’t correct Lennox.

“I could teach her,” Valen growls, jaw tight as he gently lowers my feet to the ground. I move to step back, but his hands stay firmly on my waist. “Meyer is a beginner. I can show her the first steps, then as she progresses, she can move on to the advanced steps with Heldakar.”

Hell-what-now?

I frown up at Valen, then look at Creed, who grimaces at Valen’s name choice.

“Creed, not Heldakar. Use the names Meyer knows so we don’t confuse her,” Lennox corrects, and my eyes widen. Oh… is that Creed's real name? Like his Demon name? “And I need you here while we figure out what to do about that damn sarcophagus. We need to contact Father, and Mom is already upset I haven't sent you straight home. She’ll want confirmation you’re okay.”

Valen curses, one of his hands leaving my waist to run through his hair again, making it stand on end. I laugh, reaching up on my toes to smooth it back down.

As much as I dislike the idea of being alone with Creed right now, it's probably the best idea. Besides, I’m determined to take a page from Jordan's book and act civil. And despite what Valen said about helping me himself, Nox isn't wrong. I’ve seen Creed fight; Lennox’s assessment doesn’t seem like an exaggeration.

The thought of being trained by the man who hurt me the most has my heart warring with my head. I haven't forgiven him yet, but the idea of learning how to fight like him already spiked my adrenaline, along with my excitement. I shift in Valen’s hold and look at his serious expression. He seems to be battling with himself, his pale eyes still slightly darker than normal.

“You’re okay with this?” he asks in a low voice, and I nod curtly. “Kick his ass for me, okay?” Valen laughs at the feral grin that breaks over my face as Nox groans, eyeing Creed with sympathy.

A loud sigh of relief draws my attention, and I look to see Creed shrugging at Nox before turning in my direction, holding his hand out for me like he just won at life. “She’s probably going to stab you,” Nox growls, eyes narrowing on Creed's outstretched hand.

“Nothing I wouldn't deserve,” Creed snaps back as Valen curses, looking from me to Creed, then back again with a conflicted expression on his handsome face. Then he surprises us all by slapping his hand in Creed’s before yanking him toward Nox’s opened door.

“Creed. A word in private, please?”

“Wait, what? But Lemon Drop—” Creed stammers as he’s yanked from the room and the door slams shut.

“Uh?” I whisper, pointing to the closed door before looking at Nox, who rolls his eyes and runs a hand over his face in exasperation. “Should I?” I nod at the door, and Nox shakes his head.

“No. Come here,” he demands, making me glare at him in response when he turns and gestures for me to follow him like a damn dog. What a prick! I stay rooted to my spot and hold in the urge to flip him the bird. Dammit, acting civil may be more challenging than I thought, especially with Nox. “Little Demon, I’m not in the mood,” Nox grinds out when he stops at the weird weapons cabinet he has hanging on the wall.

“That's nice. I’m not in the mood to be talked to like a dog… so I guess we’ll both be left unhappy,” I snap in response, crossing my arms over my chest as Nox glares at me over his shoulder.

“Meyer?” he says in a deep, gravelly voice, eyes narrowing on me as one of his fingernails lengthens, sharpening into a deadly-looking claw. I hold my breath, but for the first time since seeing Nox in his Demon form, I’m not scared. I’m not sure if it's from the conversation we just had or if I’ve become numb to all the crazy shit going on around me.

“Yes, Lennox?”

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