"You want to understand what I am?" I murmur, voice lowering. "Let me make it clear."
My hand drags up her side, to her throat. I wrap my fingers around it—not squeezing, just holding.
"Iamthe monster you thought I was. The reason you feared me? You were right."
I tighten. Enough for her to feel the threat simmering beneath the surface.
"I could end you right here. One twist. No fanfare."
Then I let go. Step back.
A smirk curves my lips, cold and controlled. "So go ahead—run. While I'm still feeling generous."
I turn away. Shoulders tense, muscles coiled, the storm inside me almost winning.
"Kayden."
Her voice slices clean and strong. She's not afraid. She should be.
I pivot, smirk still carved on my face. "What—"
Crack.
Her fist slams into my jaw.
My head snaps sideways with the impact. Pain blossoms across my cheekbone, hot and sharp. I stagger back, blinking.
Well damn. She hit me.
I press my hand to my jaw, eyes locking on hers.
She's breathing hard, standing her ground, fire dancing in those green eyes like a fucking battle cry. And gods help me… I've never wanted her more.
"Iknowwhat you are, Kayden," she snaps, and shoves me hard.
I stumble back a step, more from shock than force.
Did she just—?
"I knew it back at the club," she goes on, eyes burning into mine. "When I let you kiss me, even when every logical instinct Ihad screamed not to. Everydamnthing I knew about vampires told me to run."
Another shove.
Another step back.
I let her.
Because what the hell is happening here?
"And then," she says, stepping into me, voice sharper than her hands, "against every rule, every line carved into me by pain and survival, I let youbiteme."
Shove.
Step.
"I knew it was dangerous. I knew it could kill me. But I let you.And I enjoyed it. Okay?"
Another shove.
