Page 213 of On Wings of Blood

I smiled slowly. “You could try. But I doubt you’d succeed. You see, Blake and I have enjoyed a lot of time together. Helovesgetting me alone. To practice.” I wasn't sure what I was doing. Only that seeing the expression on her face made it worth it. “He really enjoys our private tutoring sessions. Why don’t you ask him about them yourself? If you make it back, that is.”

“Blake?” Regan spat. “You’re lying!”

I shrugged, keeping my stance steady. The dagger was in my boot. I could reach for it if I needed to. But it didn’t escape me that I was outnumbered three to one and that Quinn had a bow pointed at me. “Think what you want. I know denial is easier for you.”

I took a step closer towards her, my eyes locked with Regan's. “But you know all you really have to do is ask Blake.”

I lunged forward, reaching for her rapier.

Regan reacted, but she’d lost a few precious seconds. My hand gripped her wrist, twisting hard. My body crashed into hers as we fell to the ground.

The damp earth shifted as we rolled across it, locked in a struggle.

The blood was pulsing in my veins. I felt as if I were filled with power. All of a sudden three against one seemed less of a concern and more of a fun challenge. I could do this. I knew I could.

Regan twisted against me, trying to get the upper hand, but I slammed her arm into the ground, forcing her rapier hand down with all my strength.

Regan growled, fighting me with renewed fury as she tried to roll me off her. I could feel her weight shifting, feel the sheer effort of her desperation to win this fight. She was a highblood. She was stronger, faster. For a split second, doubt crept into my mind.

Then I saw something in Regan’s eyes. The same doubt reflecting back at me.

I gave a ragged laugh, giddy at the sight of it, my grip tightening. “You expected this to be easy, didn’t you? So sorry to disappoint. Any guesses as to why things aren’t going your way?”

“You’re nothing but a blightborn,” she hissed, her beautiful lips curling in disdain as she tried again unsuccessfully to slam me back into the dirt. “I will crush you like the pathetic bug you are.”

I leaned towards her. “I have to admit something, Regan. I have a secret that might make that more difficult than you’re expecting.”

Regan froze. “What?”

I smiled slowly. “Can’t you tell just from looking at me? I can feel him inside me. I would have thought it was written all over my face.” I put my lips to her ear and whispered, “Blake gave me a little taste of something special.”

“You’re lying.” Her eyes widened with fury and disbelief. “You're fucking lying. He wouldn’t.”

I’d hit my mark. For a moment, I wondered if I’d done the right thing. Then my heart hardened.

My strength surged, fueled by the vampire blood coursing through my veins. Blake’s power was amplifying everything–the thrill of the fight, the sight of Regan beneath me, suddenly vulnerable and exposed. The power was intoxicating.

Regan thrashed and let out a scream of rage.

“Believe what you want,” I murmured. “But we both know it’s true.”

A flash of silver. Before I could react, the sharp bite of steel sliced into my shoulder. Pain flared. But the wound didn’t paralyze me as it should have. My vision sharpened as I turned and saw Gretchen, her hand still outstretched.

The rage inside of me was rising, burning hotter by the second, the pull in my blood urging me onwards to kill, kill, kill the ones who were trying to hurt me.

Don’t lose yourself, Medra. Focus.My mother’s voice.All you need is to get out of here.

I shut it down, ignoring her.

Bloodlust coursed through me. Urging me to end this, to finish it once and for all. These girls wanted me dead. They were here to kill me.

Why shouldn’t I return the favor?

I yanked the knife from my shoulder, my eyes narrowing with fury, and threw it back at Gretchen with all my strength. The blade hit the highblood girl square in the face, slicing her cheek open. She screamed, clutching at the flap of skin as she stumbled backwards, blood pouring from between her fingers.

“Bitch,” Regan screamed. “You think you’re better at us just because you’ve been sipping from Blake’s cup? You lying little cheat.”

“Cheat?” I glared down at her. “Oh, that’s rich coming from you.”

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