A clash of swords is the only response I get.
Well, apparently, my little demonstration last night has been forgotten already, so I step in between them, hoping that both of these swords are weapons created that my armory recognizes. I put my hands up before they connect and grip them tightly. I get noticed now as I’m standing holding the business end of two swords sharp enough to cleave a man’s head from his shoulders.
“Get out of the way, Aefre,” CK says to me.
“Not likely. What is the meaning of this?”
Silence.
“Do not ignore me!” I roar at the two of them and pull the swords clean from their hands, twirling them skillfully so that the hilts are now in mine.
Xane looks startled at my actions but CK just looks smug as he knows my skill for swordsmanship.
“Your sire wasn’t happy that I made you feed, the Dragon way, last night,” Xane says, emphasizing the Dragon bit. “He wanted to teach me a thing or two about interfering,” he adds sarcastically. “I, however, did not become the Ruler of the Underworld by being a pushover.” He straightens up to his full height of six feet four inches after brushing off his jeans.
I turn to CK. “Was this really necessary?”
He shrugs. “I won’t let you lose yourself to the Demon,” he says, and I frown at the sense of déjà vu. Why do I feel like I’ve heard that before? “You are a Vampire. You will feed like one.”
Oh, will I? I raise my eyebrows at his commanding tone. A strange sense of calm comes over me. I am not going to choose a side and I am not going to fight or argue about this. “Both of you, follow me.” I hand the swords to Lincoln and walk over to my office. I usher them both inside and close the door quietly.
Expecting anger, CK looks at me warily as I serenely make my way over to my chair and sit. “Sit,” I gesture at them.
I have them both unnerved now as my temper has a reputation all of its own and here I am all calm and composed.
“Xane. I am a Vampire,” I start. CK looks smug. “Constantine, I am also a Dragon,” I add. He looks less amused now that I have called him by his full name. “I meant what I said last night about my own well-being coming before everyone else. I cannot do this; I cannot be everything I need to be if I am getting weak and hungry because I forget to drink human blood. So, if I remember to feed the Vampire way then all is good, if not I will feed the Dragon way. Simple as that. If I see you even look at each other funny again, I will cut you both off. I don’t have the time or the room for discord. Do I make myself clear?”
They both nod at me, so I say, “Very well. You may go now.” They both stand and I have a feeling of empowerment that I could get used to.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-THREE
A fter they leave, I spend time with Dawn and I ask her about Scott. She doesn’t say much, just blushes and I find it quite sweet. I then spend some time with Scott and ask him about Dawn. He doesn’t say much either, just blushes and now I am getting fed up. Just speak, people! I tell him to stay here at the house and to use the cars as his own. He is insistent that he doesn’t need to stay here, but I still have this feeling of dread and I would prefer him here when he isn’t at work.
So, after several hours of French lessons with Dawn and last minute instructions to Scott, where he hands me the deeds to Cassis, which I sign with a flourish, I head off to speak to Jess. I Astral into CK’s house, not bothered about being rude, since he does it to me all the time. I open the door to the room.
I duck just in time, as a vase comes flying at my head and I let it smash into the wall as it will cause her more satisfaction than if I just caught it. Nothing that can’t be replaced. Much like the rest of the room, I note the destruction.
“Stop fucking him!” she yells at me. “He is mine, he isn’t yours!” Another vase comes flying at my head. I step aside and let that one crash against the wall too.
“Jess. Sit down and shut up before I lose my temper.”
“Stop fucking him!” she yells at me again. She flies at me, claws and fangs drawn.
“Jess!” I say to her, striving for patience, as I grab her arm and twist it behind her back.
She struggles and tries to elbow me, but I push her across the room, losing my temper with her. She hits the wall and drops in a daze to the floor. I’m on her in a flash of Vampire speed, pinning her arms to the ground as I straddle her.
“Everything all right in here?” CK asks from the doorway.
“Nothing a little bitch slap won’t fix,” I growl.
“Want me to talk to her?”
“No, but you can speak to Devon. He isn’t listening to me.”
“You didn’t get through to him?” he asks, coming closer and sitting on the arm of the sofa, casually watching as Jess struggles helplessly underneath me.
“Sort of. He knows he has to do this, but he doesn’t fucking want to. I am done trying. I am not forcing him to take responsibility, so you need to talk to him.”