Page 247 of Flirting with Darkness

Dav hadn’t even tried to take my blood while he fucked me. He really had no interest in me belonging to him, even though he’d told me I was his. Then again, he’d said he wouldn’t let me leave his side, and look at where I ended up; sleeping alone in a bedroom far from his. I guess all his words were lies.

Curling my top lip, I pushed away the ache in my chest and glanced at the clock. Seven PM. Time for my lesson. Why Dav still insisted on me training, I had no idea. He just said I needed to have better skills if I was to take my revenge when I went home. We both knew I might not survive past the Count’s return, but even if by some miracle I did, those words were just another slap in the face. It was clear that he wanted me gone.

My heart raced at the thought of the Count’s return, but as always there was nothing I could do. I rubbed my chest where it ached emptily. The compulsion kept me from running, and I sure as shit couldn’t hope to fight off a vampire as powerful as the Count. I shook my head. Maybe he’d order Dav to kill me. My stomach rolled at the thought that Dav would do it, too.

Since my captor had made it clear he wasn’t interested, I’d done everything he asked. There seemed little point in defying him. Besides, he only ever spoke to me to correct my posture, readjust my technique with a weapon, or demand I hit harder and faster. Out of the training gym, he barked at me to eat and sleep more. And that was it.

Vito had watched us with a stupid smirk on his face. Every chance he got, he’d tried goading me into losing my temper, or tempting me to defy Dav. Why, I didn't know. But the deliberate looks he gave Dav when he spoke to me made me think he was trying to piss off his boss as much as torment me. Yesterday he’d gotten his wish. Exhausted, hungry, and simmering with resentment for my situation, I’d lost my shit the moment Vito had drawled about my human side making me weak and not good enough to train with, or fuck, a vampire like Davlov Zoltar.

Dav had just watched with hard eyes and a dark expression as Vito had kicked my arse—until I was on the ground and every instinct in me came alive. Anger had flooded my veins, making me see red. I was furious at the lies Dav had told, at the Count for his compulsion, at Victor for being a lying and abusive bastard, at my mother for getting pregnant with me in the first place, but most of all at myself for never being strong enough to change my own godsdamned life.

Adrenaline and strength had shot into my muscles. It had shocked the shit out of me to feel pain in my gums and discover a set of sharp fangs protruding from under my upper lip. I’d concentrated on my surging anger instead of the hunger that raged through me, caught Vito’s boot as he’d walked away, and flipped him to the ground. Without pause, I’d jumped across his hips and pummelled my fists into his face until he was a laughing and groaning, bloodied mess.

Dav had pulled me off. “Leave,” was all he’d said, the snarl in his voice letting me know how close to the surface his vampire side was. Of course, I’d done exactly what he said, not just because of the compulsion, but because I was suddenly done beingnothing. I’d promised myself then and there I would change my fate.

That was yesterday. Today I’d have to face his anger for hurting one of his men.

It might as well be now. I washed and shaved, then dressed in a clean pair of combats, I pulled on some socks and boots and grabbed a t-shirt. I’d eaten a whole large pizza and salad this morning before bed, but my stomach rumbled painfully. I rubbed it, sick of being so godsdamned hungry all the time. I straightened, annoyed when my trousers fell to my hips. Jesus, I was losing weight, too, not gaining it. It was ridiculous. How much did a vampire need to eat? Was I ill? Perhaps I should talk to Dav about a doctor. I laughed, the bitter sound echoing around the perfect room, making it sound even more empty.

“What’s the fucking point in that, you idiot? You could be dead any day now. And if you’re not, you’re leaving.” I pulled open the door and headed downstairs.

Voices drifted up from the kitchen. My heart sank. Vito…and Davlov.

Was this where the beating came? Punishment for yesterday? I’d never lost my temper like that before. I’d certainly never been strong enough to cause damage to someone. Then again, I’d never discovered my vampire side before. I flexed my fists and halted. For the first time in my life I’d felt strong, but smashing up Vito’s face hadn’t made me feel good. No, I’d felt guilty, spending most of the night worrying that I’d hurt him and made yet another enemy. Not only that, I hated that Dav had been furious with me for my loss of control. Vito had been trying to elicit that kind of reaction all week, and I’d disappointed Dav by letting him get to me.

A dullthud…thud…thud…drummed in my ears. I shook my head, almost cutting my tongue on my new fangs. They weren’t large, but they were damned sharp. Despite living with them, I had very little idea about being a vampire, but I’d deal with it. Right now, I was starving. I needed food, and that meant facing the music. Taking a breath I stepped into the kitchen, unsurprised when the conversation stopped. I cleared my throat as two powerful gazes swung my way, the weight of them making me want to run.

“Uhh, hi.” I attempted a smile, nerves fizzing in my belly.

Thud…

Thud…

Thud…

I shook my head again, trying to rid myself of that incessant noise, my attention snapping to Dav. My heart stuttered. Dav crossed his arms over his chest and glared at me, before shifting his attention to Vito. I had to force my gaze from the dark expression on his gorgeous face to look at Vito. My eyes widened. The cocky vamp was unblemished, no evidence of my uncontrolled rage visible.

Vito coughed, his gaze bouncing between us. If anything, he looked remorseful, not angry.

I wanted to back away when he walked towards me, but I’d already made the decision never to back down again. I’d discovered the strength and fury of my vampire side, and though it was buried deep, I’d managed to free it yesterday. I’d manage it again if I needed to.

Vito had spent the week giving me shit whenever he could. He’d goaded me, but I sensed he’d been trying to make me, or perhaps even Dav, lose control. He’d also worked with me, trained with me, and helped me. Because of that, I hadn’t let my control slip until he told me I wasn’t good enough for Dav. I’d believed he was right, but that was before I’d proved I could be as much vampire as I was human.

It was time to prove it again.

They were both skillful warriors and deserved my respect, not my uncontrolled anger.

My stomach cramped as that damned thudding stole my focus. I shook it off once more and opened my mouth to apologise to them both.

“I owe you an apology,” Vito interjected before I could speak, holding out his hand.

My mouth snapped shut. He was apologising to me?

He grinned sheepishly. “I was fucking with you yesterday. Mainly to wind up my boss. He’s never been so fucked up over anyone as he is you, so even though you kicked my arse, I’m not sorry I did it. He needed to admit what you are to him, and how fucking amazing you are for all you have endured.” His huge shoulders rose and fell in a shrug, a roguish smile curling his lips. “Besides, you needed to realise the same thing, and the only way to get you to do that was by releasing your vampire nature. It’s been locked away for too long.”

Too stunned to respond, I just took his hand. He slapped my shoulder with his other hand. “Don’t worry, he kicked my arse harder than ever when you’d gone…you know? For upsetting you, hurting you, and generally being a dick.”

“I—um, right,” I managed to murmur, my attention flicking to Dav. He studied me steadily, his face tight. My mouth watered at the sight of his muscled arms crossed over his chest. My gaze travelled lower of its own accord across his flat stomach to the front of his combats, hiding what I knew was an impressive package... I swallowed hard. One I wanted. Right. Fucking. Now.

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