Page 126 of A Debt of Darkness

I stamp his foot and slam my elbow into him as his head tips back. I spin, throwing my weight into the punch that connects with his chest, forcing Ryan to step back. His arms come down and block my second strike, and seconds later he’s hit my center and I’m staggering back.

“Better.” Ryan marches forward. “You’re actually learning.”

He stiffens and his head snaps toward the door as he stares at it like it’s critical. Ryan’s more than paying attention and he grabs me, pulling me behind him in a smooth, definitive movement that leaves no room for argument.

“We’ve got company, Ivy.”

“Henry said the castle was secured.”

Ryan nods. Barely, but it’s there. “I took care of it myself. This is bad, Ivy. If they’re smart enough to get in, then they’re fucking dangerous.”

I bring my hands up, adopting a stance I hope is close to what Ryan’s been teaching me. This isn’t the time for doubt or hesitation, not if he’s right and the tension in his body and the attention he’s paying to everything around us screams he’s fucking sure of himself.

“Ivy,” he says, in a tone that’s pressured and clear as a fucking bell, “take the door behind you and get to Henry’s room. Lock yourself in. It’s clear that way. Go now. Don’t look back.”

“Are you…”

“Go now, Ivy. Do as you’re fucking told.”

My heart races as I back away, turning and racing for the exit at the back of the gym. My feet fly over the floor and I don’t wait for the door to close before I sprint down the corridor, heading for the back stairs. My thighs burn and I ignore them, pushing harder as I move past the paintings Henry has collected over the centuries.

I race up the stairs and something’s wrong.

I know it. I can feel it in my bones and my blood.

It’s terror and the cold hard reality of being caught somewhere you really don’t want to be. Somewhere fucking lethal. Somewhere near a predator who’s about to close in for the kill.

“So fucking close.”

The vampire emerges from the shadows and prowls toward me with the grace of a leopard in a hunt. The menace is clear. The threat is obvious. The danger lurking in the dark reveals itself, blocking my route to safety as it tracks my movements.

I step back and there’s no room for error.

The vampire should strike. It should attack. But it’s drawing this out, enjoying my moments of panic and anguish, relishing my agony. He’s feeding off my anxiety and gloating over what he thinks is inevitable, and I refuse to give him an easy victory.

“Pity,” he says, his tone dripping with disdain. “You’re brave. You’d have made an excellent toy.”

My fingers find my collar and the vampire smirks. He’s tall, elegant, and not as powerful as Ryan. Or Matt. Or Henry. He wants me to believe the lie he’s so desperate to be true, the one that tries to convince me I don’t stand a chance against him.

But I’ve held my own against Matt and saved Ryan’s life. I’ve even beaten Henry, in a way—and there’s more than one way to win a fight. Strength doesn’t guarantee victory, and I’ve proven I can hold my own. Matt and Ryan know it. Henry knows it. More importantly, I know it.

And I won’t let the asshole standing before me fool me.

“Henry’s collar won’t save you, darling.”

My jaw ticks.

The vampire smirks. “You think you’re getting out of here?”

I shake my head and take a few steps back.

I don’t think it.

I know it.

I turn and move, faster than I’ve ever fucking moved in my goddamn life. Henry’s room isn’t an option now the vampire’s blocking my path and the only choice left is to make it to mine. Matt promised me the lock only opens for him, Ryan, and Henry. He and Henry have checked the enchantment several times after Damon got around it, and they’re both sure it’ll hold.

It’s the sanctuary I never wanted, but now I need it and all I have to do is get there and bolt the fucking door closed.

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