Page 53 of The Kiss Of Death
Sylas strode back toward me, his shoulders squared, refusing to salute Levi after their bout. I remained rooted to the spot, clenching my épée. I shared Sylas’s anger, feeling the need to retaliate against Levi. And retaliate I would.
“We’ll partner up in the next round,” Sylas muttered with an edge of irritation, brushing past me to address Amelia. “Let’s spar?”
That soulless bastard pointed his épée in my direction. “You’re all mine now, little thief.”
I put on my fencing mask, connected my weapon, and faced him. “You had to put on a show.”
“En garde!” our teacher called out.
“It was all because of you,” Levi responded, feigning innocence as he saluted me with his sword. “You forced me into it.”
I saluted him back, wanting to slice him open with my blade. “You humiliated my friend.”
“You mean the friend your father picked out for you?”
“I make my own friends,” I quipped back. “He did nothing to deserve this.”
I imagined that sly scowl of his creeping across his face. “It bothers me when you ignore me. Unfortunately for you, I can be quite possessive of what’s mine.”
I assumed my stance and launched into aflèche. “I’m not yours, Levi.”
I would not sacrifice my freedom for him.
He riposted and scored a touch on my wrist. The red light flickered on. We resumed our positions and attacked again, the metallic clink of our épées clashing through the air. We were trapped in proximity, neither of us wanting to back down.
“You didn’t say that a couple of nights ago when I had my tongue in your mouth.”
Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I stepped back, retreating my attack. “Someone could hear you. And it won’t happen again.”
“You should riposte by lunging low instead of parrying out of fear. You’re petite and flexible. If you aim for my feet or legs, you could have a chance of riposte,” he remarked, his attacks relentless. “And for instance, you were the one kissing me first, remember? You sealed your fate.”
“Well, maybe that kiss on the roof was the worst experience of my life,” I said, sidestepping his assault.Forgive me, God, for lying.
“You’re welcome, sweetheart.”
“It wasn’t a compliment.”
“It wasn’t meant to be a compliment but a threat because I can do much worse.” His épée scored on my arm, probably adding another bruise to my collection. “You’re not listening. So stubborn.”
In response, I dodged his next attack and executed a low lunge, precisely as he had suggested. But I aimed my blade at his throat, a smirk playing at the corner of my lips when the light turned green.Take that, Levi.
“I’m not interested,” I declared, returning to my en garde position on my side of the piste to attack again.
“Nice point,” he said, trapping our foils together so mine would dwell far away from his body, the tip of his weapon threatening to score another touch. “I’m a patient man, something that my chess-playing days with my stepfather taught me. But don’t push my limits; I will inevitably take everything from you.”
It was the first time he’d talked to me about Patrice. “You’re making it really hard for me not to hate you.”
“Because you know deep down that I’m right.” He broke our link and scored a point by skillfully maneuvering his sword from behind his head. “In fencing, as in life, trapping your opponent to your will is a must if you wish to win.”
“Let’s switch fencers,” the teacher announced.
“I believe we’re done here.” I scored the final point by lowering myself and aiming near his groin to make a statement.
Levi then lowered his fencing mask, gazing down at me while running his hand through his hair to sweep it back. “On the contrary, I’m far from done with you.”
“When will I be able to work on decrypting Lucie’s music scores?”
“I’ll find you.”
