Page 28 of Taste of Fate

“Time to come home, ladies,” I said. “Tavi, meet me in the apartment in a half hour.”

I got out of there, heading straight for the compound. My blood cooled after a few minutes of walking, and I could think rationally again.

“Fuck,” I bit out to myself at a sudden realization.

What I was about to do would make resisting Tavi so, so much worse.

Chapter 10

Tavia

Ididn’t wait in the apartment for long, but nearly paced a hole in the floor by the time Cyan arrived. He came through the door looking grim, his eyes still alight with rage, all the angles of his face sharp and tense.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. I had to brief Thorne on what happened.” He looked around the living room and made a broad, sweeping gesture with his hand. “Let me move the furniture out of the way, then we can get started.”

“Get started?” I turned, watching as he shoved the couch, coffee table, end tables, and lamps to the far corners of the room, creating a large, empty space.

It was impossible to read his mood. I’d never seen him so pissed off like he was in that restaurant and I still couldn’t fully reconcile what happened. Cyan had always been so relaxed and easygoing until then. The confrontation was a stark reminder that I truly didn’t know him at all.

The vampire who’d come up to us had been pushy, but after watching Cyan deal with him, I almost felt bad for the guy. He was scared out of his mind. Now, Cyan’s anger was no longer explosive, but this quieter rage was almost more unsettling. He didn’t say a word as he stepped into the center of the newly-cleared living room, just put his hands on his hips and gave a small, satisfied nod as he looked around.

“This should work,” he muttered.

“Work for what?” I demanded, only then realizing I was inching toward the door. “What are you going to do?”

He met my eyes, his hard expression softening ever so slightly. “Relax, Tavi. Take a few deep breaths.”

“Tell me what you’re going to do.” My fists clenched at my sides, every muscle bracing for the unknown.

Was he pissed at me for some reason? Bea gave no indication that I’d be in danger when we returned to the compound, just that he might want to lecture me.

Cyan gave a crooked smile, flashing one fang. “I’m going to show you how to defend yourself, silly human. Here.” With an open palm, he reached down into the side of his boot and withdrew a silver dagger, the same one he used to carve his vow into his skin. Careful to avoid touching the blade, he held the handle out toward me. “I’m going to show you how to attack me using this. It’s your best defense against any vampire, regardless if they’re sober or on drae. Take it.”

I hesitated for a moment, feeling exactly like a silly human, before tentatively accepting the weapon. “Was that guy really dangerous?”

Cyan’s expression darkened. “He could have been. Drae addicts are unpredictable, and like with alcohol, their inhibitions are lowered. They may try things that they wouldn’t normally do while sober.”

“And they can go out in the sun while on it?” The dagger felt heavy and awkward in my hand, so I examined the intricately carved handle.

Cyan sucked in a harsh breath when I touched the flat side of the blade, then looked relieved when he remembered that silver didn’t burn me like it did him.

“Yeah, that’s the whole point of taking it,” he said blandly. “The draw of feeling sunlight for the first time is all it takes to entice any curious vampire. Brusang fall for it too when they get nostalgic about their human lives. No one gives warnings about the side effects and addictive qualities until it’s too late. And that filth,” Cyan snarled, pointing toward the door, “doesn’t care about the lives ruined, the vampires burned to a crisp because they miscalculated a dose, the dependency that makes them sell everything for another fix, as long as he’s getting paid. Him, his supplier, and all the others like them, are what’s gonna be the downfall of vampires. Not the clans, not the werewolves, but the scum of our own kind taking advantage of people.”

Cyan took a deep breath, shoulders sagging like the explanation exhausted him. Like this whole quiet war on the streets was a constant, unwinnable churn.

“I’m sorry,” I said after some silence. “I can see why Blood ‘til Dawn outlawed the drug.”

He let out a dry laugh. “If only that were enough.” Straightening, his gaze returned to the silver dagger in my hand. “Now, to learn how to use that thing. Getting out of any confrontation alive is more mental than physical. Remember that vampires can sense your heartbeat. Work on breathing deeply so your pulse isn’t going too fast. If you’re mentally calm and in control, your body will follow.”

“Is an aggressive vampire going to give me time to do breathing exercises?”

“No, but just something to keep in mind.” He smirked. “I know you’re being cheeky, but if your pulse is steady, it’s going to throw your attacker off his game. He’s going to want a spiked pulse, a fearful response. Don’t give him that, and you’re already ahead.” Cyan curled his fingers at me in a beckoning motion. “Come at me with the dagger, try to stab me.”

“What if I hit you?”

“You won’t.” His smirk became a full-on grin. “Let’s see what you got, brave little human.”

I was no stranger to physical confrontations, even fist fights, but my body felt encased in cement. I was a defensive brawler, always standing over or in front of Amy. I couldn’t just rush Cyan unprovoked, even if there was no risk of me hurting him. Running to attack someone unarmed or undefended was just not in my DNA.

---