Page 34 of The Blood Widow

“Lauren.”

“Okay, Lauren, it won’t be as cool looking, but how about I teach you to throw a knife?”

A pit in my gut opened, doing this would only make her more perfect for the men. But my emotions did not rule me.

“The biggest thing you need to understand is, there’s always going to be someone that’s better than you at defending themselves, so never go into the fight thinking you’re going to win. You focus on three things. First, be silent. Noise will just draw others and some people are rats, they’ll wait until you’re injured to attack. Two, always know your way out because sometimes running is the best thing you can do. Knowing your surroundings will save you quicker than any weapon could. Lastly, go for the kill. If they are attacking you, they won’t go easy on you. They’ll also hunt you down, killing them assures your survival.”

Her eyes widened, and her throat bobbed, so she was listening to me. I was sure she knew how the world worked, but some people were lucky, never having to deal with shady assholes. All of the jealousy and silly emotions vanished as I watched her straighten her shoulders. She was a survivor. I could sense it.

Good, if they did end up together, Cole deserved a woman that wouldn’t break his heart by dying.You already broke it enough for one lifetime, that stupid voice unwittingly chimed in my mind just to plunge a dagger in my heart.

I could hear the men move around and maybe go inside, but I didn’t turn to see.

Her shaking hand grabbed the knife I offered.

“Knives are my favorite because they’re quiet. If you get fast enough, you can do a lot of damage, and no one would be thewiser. But blades are too personal for an untrained fighter. It’s a good way to get killed, so let’s work on your throwing.”

For the next thirty minutes, I went over several ways to throw a blade. Lauren wasn’t too bad, but she would need practice. Out of a hundred throws, ten hit the tree she was aiming at. The pride in her eyes when she hit her mark flared a wave of pride in me as well. This woman would survive.

“I’ll also teach you a few self-defense moves. You’ll be badass before you know it.” I hit her upper arm with my elbow slightly and my smile grew to match hers.

I sensed the dominating presence behind me before Ezra said anything. On instinct, I stood taller.

If he wanted a challenge, I would give him one. Once my eyes locked on to his gray ones, they didn’t leave. He quirked his eyebrow, but his body swayed side to side slightly as if his tail was wagging.

Lauren whimpered and moved away from us. Her shifter side needed to get away from his alpha energy. I wasn’t a shifter, but I could feel the wave of dominance washing off of him.

I could sense things around me, but my eyes stayed where they were. Cole was on his phone, talking wildly with his arms, and Dominic just walked out of the house with a tray with food and water bottles.

“Oh shit,” Dominic whispered. “Novem, why don’t you come this way?”

Ezra stepped even closer, stealing my breath.

A wave of energy had the air buzzing with magic. It was the only thing that would have pulled my eyes away from Ezra’s, so I hesitated, seeing what would happen next. Was it some kind of trick?

“Novem! Here you are. You chastised me for having sex, when here I find you about to be dicked down by this bear of a man,” said a squeaky voice I knew all too well said.

I blinked and turned. “Beaut? What the hell are you doing here?”

She snorted and put her hands on her hips. “Don’t act like you aren’t glad to see me. My presence is better than sex.”

I snorted, stepping away from Ezra. This game was over. I was a little disappointed we didn’t get to fight.

“You got mail, flappy tits.”

I nodded. “Crystal or paper?”

“Paper.”

If paper mail appeared in my room, it was the Blood Widow’s mail. Someone asking for help. I arranged for a magically activated drop box.

“I’m coming,” I told her. “Duty calls. Keep an eye on Brian for me. I’ll open the door before I go, so he’s not trapped in the room,” I said to everyone else.

The thrill of the hunt coursed through me. I needed to kill something.

“I’m coming with you,” Cole said as he followed me into the house.

“No,” I said as I opened the door.

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