Page 34 of Tears of Revenge

Lysander pushed himself off the floor, keeping his head held high. His eyes, however, darkened in the presence of the beast lurking within. “And the same thing will happen with something as small as a papercut.”

“We won’t let that happen and you know that.”

Before Lysander could counter, Varos stepped between them, tired eyes resting on the two of them. “We’ll teach her to control her thirst and ensure that she won’t hurt anyone. After that, Avalon can decide what she would like to do.”

Varos then walked out of sight and into his room. Lysander stared Marcus down, his beast hovering just beneath the surface. Lysander had perfected his façade for over a thousand years. This was the first time Marcus had ever seen him fighting for control.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—”

“You meant it. You meant all of it. I hate liars and pathetic apologies.” With a deep growl rumbling his chest, Lysander turned and fled to his own room.

Turning back to Avalon, Marcus watched as the first sunrays lifted over the horizon and bathed her in a golden light. She looked beautiful, jaw-dropping even. She was still wearing nothing but Varos’s shirt. As the sun started to warm the air, creatures began to stir in the bushes.

With how still she was, a few butterflies landed on her. He wasn’t even sure she noticed until she lifted one arm and froze again. She watched as the butterflies fluttered around her and landed on her hand.

Eventually, she moved and scattered the butterflies around her. She turned and met his gaze with pain-filled eyes.

“Lysander bought you a few clothes.”

Avalon looked passed him at the bags, and her brows rose in surprise. “Oh.”

Marcus sat on the couch while Avalon peered through the bags.

She took a look at the logo on the bags and furrowed her brows. “I didn’t even know this store was open at night.”

“They love Lysander. They would make anything possible for him.”

“I’m pretty sure they love his money more.”

The lightness in her tone conjured a smile on his lips. “True, but the owner has a bit of a crush on him too.”

Avalon sat on her heels, throat jumping as she attempted to swallow.

“You’re thirsty, aren’t you?”

She dropped her eyes to her lap, fidgeting with the hem of a blouse.

Marcus went to the kitchen and returned with a glass of blood.

“I don’t like this,” she admitted, taking the glass and eyeing it as if it were poison.

“You’ll get used to it.”

“What about real food?”

“The only joy you’ll ever get from it is if you have a kink for others eating in front of you.”

Wide eyes shot up to him. “That’s a thing?”

“Don’t ask me. I hate watching Lysander eat.”

“Sorry.”

“For what?”

“Eating in front of you.”

“Well, you’re cute and adorable and he’s an ugly self-loathing bastard.”

---