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I drop my hands. “Like I said; this is pointless.”
“Are you going to flee from every single confrontation, Mina?” The question is quiet and strangely serious. “Are you so sure you know everything there is to know about the world at… what? Twenty-five years old? Can you truthfully say there’s nothing left to learn?”
I open my mouth to argue, but stop myself before any of the angry words can escape. It’s like he’s found a wound I didn’t know existed and he’s digging his fingers around in it. Finally, I say, “Why do you care?”
“You have potential.”
That isn’t an answer. Not really. “What does that mean?”
“There was a time when dhampirs were far more common than they are now. I don’t know what your fool of a father told you, but you haven’t begun to reach your upper limits.” He’s watching me closely, each word a precision missile aimed at the heart of me. “With proper nutrition and a steady diet of vampire blood, you’ll be easily as strong and fast as a turned vampire. Possibly as a born vampire, albeit without the magical abilities.”
“Don’t lie to me.” I sound too harsh, but I don’t care. What he’s saying… I know all too well how hope can become a weapon used to break an opponent. That has to be what Malachi is doing right now. It must be. “I know my role in all this. You don’t have to be cruel.”
He watches me for a long moment. “Give me a chance to convince you.”
“Why? Even if what you’re saying is true, why would you want me stronger? Then I could fight you off, possibly even kill you.”
His lips curve. “I have my reasons.”
Reasons that no doubt include tormenting me. I shake my head. “No. You get to fuck with my blood and my body. You don’t get to fuck with my head.”
“And if I offer you a bargain?”
It feels like my feet have sprouted roots, each one holding me in place when I just want to run away from this vampire and this conversation. But then, what would be the point? Even without my knee injury, he’s faster than me. He’ll always be faster than me. I swallow hard. “What bargain?”
“Train with me. Exchange blood. As long as you’re doing that, sex is off the table.”
I stare. “You’re lying.”
“I think you’ll find, Mina, I never lie.” He shrugs a single shoulder. “Sometimes I withhold the truth, but I give you my word I won’t fuck you while you’re meeting your end of the bargain.” He flashes me a hint of fang. “Unless you ask nicely.”
“It’ll never happen,” I shoot back, even as part of me wonders. I can’t deny I want him, whether it’s bite-induced lust or pure lust. He’s gorgeous and strong and there’s a sly intelligence in those dark eyes that draws me despite myself. I can’t blame all that on his intoxicating bite, no matter how much I’d like to.
“Then you have no reason to say no to the bargain.”
It’s too good a deal. Why would he offer this? I frown. “Every time you bite me, I orgasm.”
“I can’t control that.”
“And if I beg you to fuck me while I’m all drugged up on your bite?”
Another of those quick flashes of fangs. “I won’t fuck you until you ask me nicely while my fangs aren’t inside you.”
I don’t know if I believe him, but I’d be a fool not to take this bargain. What if he’s not lying? “You have yourself a deal.”
“Then we can begin.”
I don’t know what I expected, but Malachi immediately begins correcting my stance and then we proceed to spar in slow motion while he critiques me. I had thought I’d learned something in the colony, but with every word he flays my confidence down to nothing at all. After an hour of it, he stands back. “That’s enough for today.”
I’m covered in sweat and shaking like a leaf. I’m not sure I have the strength to make the trip to my bedroom, but I’ll be damned before I admit as much.
Malachi stalks to a low stool set against one wall and motions me closer with an impatient flick of his fingers. I tense. I know what comes next. The biting. “Why can’t we do it standing?”
“Because you’re going to collapse again and I have no interest in accidentally ripping your throat out.”
My face flames. My embarrassment is made more overwhelming by the fact he’s right. I can’t seem to control my body when he bites me. I pad to him slowly, and don’t argue when he takes my hand and pulls me down to straddle him on the stool. He runs a broad hand up my back to fist in my hair and tow my head gently to the side. I don’t have a chance to brace myself before he strikes, sinking his fangs into me.
