Page 12 of Deceived By a Warrior

And he couldn’t have her.

“Near death experiences and Inevercross paths,” she laughed. “Honestly, I came to Miami to live a safe lifeawayfrom any unnatural beings.Far away. As long as everyone in this town believes I’m human no one bothers me. As long as I stay far away from you immortals, I have no reason to fall victim to any life threatening experiences.”

“And tonight?”

“Tonight was a first,” she admitted. “And probably not the last. Hella so graciously explained the reasoning behind her attempt at killing me before she failed at doing exactly that. My guess is that you know why she was there as well.” She raised an inquiring brow in his direction, and he knew exactly what she was expecting him to say.

Over the years Darius learned to become a master at deception. He deceived Artem every chance he could. Without deception, he wasn’t entirely sure if he and his sister would still be alive.

The number one rule to abide by when deceiving someone? Keep as close to the truth as possible.

“Yes, I know. You’re a soothsayer.” It was better to be honest about the fact that he knew exactly what she was. The more truthful he was, the more likely she was to believe him. He’d much prefer her coming with him to Romania willingly. He wasn’t in any mood to forcefully drag her halfway across the world.

Eva nodded. “Then I know why you’re here, and it’s for no good reason at all. I appreciate you saving me and all, but I know your intentions for me aren’t anywhere near as kind.” As she spoke, she took a step back, seeming to prepare herself to run away. It wasn’t until she turned and made a move to walk off that Darius realized she really did intend to escape from him. A vampire.

The hell she will.

Darius didn’t hesitate before reaching for her arm and pulling her against him, her back colliding with his chest. He tried not to think about her curves, now pressed so closely against him.

“If you don’t let go of me, I’ll scream,” she threatened, though he found no hint of actual fear in her voice.

He hissed into her ear, “If you scream, I’ll only bring us somewhere else before anyone can look in our direction. No one will know we were here. You do know the human eye can hardly register a vampire speeding past them, don’t you? Do you actually think any mortal here will be able to save you?”

Her body slumped forward. “No, but threatening you with the prospect was worth a try.” It didn’t take long for her to straighten her stance once again. “Let’s cut to the chase. If you want me to tell you your future, you’re about to be disappointed. The task exhausts me. Giving anyone their fortune isn’t worth the illness I succumb to after.”

“Illness?” Darius didn’t expect to hear this. He assumed she could use her power as easily as any sorceress could use their powers. Once Artem had her as his captive he’d be asking her to use her powersoften.She didn’t actually fall ill after every fortune she gave. Did she?

“Yes. Using my power is so exhausting I get sick for at least a week after using it. Exhaustion really is no joke.”

“At least a week?” He shouldn’t be so worried about her. He didn’t know her. Yet worry brewed inside him.

Why?

Because she’s my lifeblood.

“Yes, I’m bedridden and nauseous for days. I consider it the human equivalent of a stomach virus. If you don’t care about the torture I’ll have to endure after giving you your fortune, I suppose I can give it to you… Ow! Loosen your fingers a bit, yeah?”

Darius had unknowingly tightened his grip on her. The thought of her suffering - of him being thereasonshe would be suffering - plagued his mind, causing him to almost lose control of himself.

He knew Artem, needy as ever, would call on her more than once a week. Which meant that after Darius gave her to Artem she would be sick for eternity.

He shook his head, trying to free himself of these nonsensical thoughts. He needed to remember Karina. Karina needed him.

“Sorry,” he apologized, loosening his grip on her. “If telling the future is so difficult for you, why do you make a business of it?”

She laughed, almost mockingly. “I make a business oflying.Humans are so easily fooled.” After speaking she shook her body in a poor attempt to free herself from his grasp. Still, he allowed it, releasing her from his hold. He was much too quick for her to ever successfully escape from anyway. Whether he was holding her or not, she wasn’t going anywhere.

She turned to face him, pursing her lips together as if in deep contemplation. After what seemed like an eternity, she finally said, “I’m many things, but I’m not an idiot. I know I can’t escape you. Now, seeing that Ican’trun to my freedom, I decided a week’s worth of illness is worth it. I’ll tell you your fortune. Right now. Just promise you’ll let me go free after I tell you it, alright?”

Before he could respond she lifted her hands up as if to conjure up magic.

It took only a second for him to realize shewasconjuring up magic.

She was about to tell him his future, and she would succumb to exhaustion for at least a week because of it.

“No!”He frantically yelled, pushing her hands down before she could utilize any of her magic.

She cocked her head to the side, her expression riddled with confusion. “No?”

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