“You left me there because I told you to,” I correct him.
He only smirks.
Ass.
Valen turns his head with predatory quickness, and Coal does the same.
Someone scrabbles over the edge of the roof right behind me, then stands.
I back away until I’m behind Valen.
“You’re safe here in this form. No one else can see you or hear you,” Valen’s voice is in my mind.
He stands to his full height. “What, Tantun?” he snarls the word.
The vampire approaches and dips his head slightly in deference. “Lord Specter, we’ve broken through their front lines, but their weapons are much improved as of late. They’ve added silver to the slugs. We’re taking heavy losses. If the Corvidions could?—”
“Is there a reason you’re here instead of following orders?” Valen’s tone could cut through steel.
I wince back.
“We—” He wavers for a moment, his adam’s apple bobbing as he swallows. “We’d like to request air support from the Corv?—”
Valen has him by the throat so quickly I stumble back, then he slams him so hard onto the roof that the cement cracks, a light plume of dust rising around them. “You will return to your troops and attack the humans’ position as instructed or you will die right here, right now.”
“S-sorry, my lord. Please,” the Tantun wheezes.
Valen rises, bringing the vampire with him, then flings the Tantun off the roof as if he were tossing a bit of trash into a wastebasket.
A thud and a groan follow, and Valen pulls a black handkerchief from his pocket and wipes his hands as if he’s touched something filthy.
Something explodes, and I whirl to see a plume of fire rising only a block or so away. The blast sends a shockwave and a torrent of dust rushing past. I don’t feel any of it.
“Looks like our petrol barrel finally got hit.” Coal crosses his arms, his black wings folding at his back. “About time. You’d think humans would have better aim by now.”
“I told them to wait until the mass of Tantuns were close. Maybe they followed my instructions for once.” Valen gives me an apprising glance. “Though I know of one who never does.”
“That’s not true, not to mention unfair. I do what I think is right. You?—”
“I do what is necessary,” he gives me a withering look.
“Oh, and I don’t?” I put my hands on my hips. “I went to DC because it was necessary. I worked on a cure, and worked with a particularly rude vampire, might I add, to save people from the plague. I do all kinds of things that are necessary. I’m not out here twirling through the hills and having a great time like you’re implying.”
“I wasn’t implying anything.” He advances on me, towering over me, his eyes glinting. “I was simply stating the facts that you, my Blood, are stubborn and often do the exact opposite of what you’re told.”
“Because I’m not your dog!” I yell.
“That’s true. You’re my little rabbit.”
I point my finger in his face. “If I could touch you right now, I’d slap the—” I scream when he yanks me into his arms, one of his hands gripping my hair as he pulls my head back.
“You’d do what, my love?” He kisses my neck, his fangs sliding along my skin.
“You can touch me?” I gasp.
“I can do anything I want to you.” He laughs low and sultry, then nips at my ear.
“Ugh.” Coal turns his back to us.
