Vicky danced back, and they fell into aneasy rhythm with each other as they moved around the blue gym mat.As a purebred vampire, Vicky was strong, but she didn’t possess hisstrength. What she lacked in power, she made up for with herquickness. He could move with speed and grace, but Vicky wassmaller and more nimble. She deftly avoided many of his jabs astheir swords clashed.
He hammered her back with a series of blowsmeant to knock the weapon from her hand, but she kept hold of it.He almost had her against the wall when she dropped suddenly,hitting the mat flat on her back before rolling away from him andbouncing to her feet.
“Nice move,” he said admiringly.
She grinned as she brushed back the strandsof damp hair clinging to her flushed face. “I know.”
Aiden laughed before going at her again.They sparred for nearly half an hour more before Vicky stepped backand planted the tip of her sword on the mat. They were bothbreathing heavily, and Aiden felt a little more in control ofhimself. He would spend hours more down here, working himself intoa state of exhaustion. Hopefully he would be able to get at leastan hour of sleep before rising to do it all over againtomorrow.
He wouldn’t leave Ronan’s mansion until itwas time to meet with Maggie; he didn’t trust himself enough torisk being around people. He hated the idea of Maggie being outthere unguarded, but he wouldn’t be able to stay away from her ifhe saw her. Declan had agreed to check on her occasionally and tokeep his distance.
He’d much prefer someone watching her 24/7,but she’d be irate if she ever discovered he’d done that to her.Her fury would be worth it to make sure she was safe, but with nodirect threat to her life anymore, he couldn’t justify spying onher or having someone else do so.
“How about we eat and get back to it?” Vickyinquired.
“You’re not tired yet?”
“Oh, I am, but no one ever comes at me asfiercely as you just did, and I need that.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m no delicate flower, Aiden MichaelByrne,” Vicky retorted. “Don’t apologize to me. I’m glad someonehas finally stopped taking it easy on me, and yes, I realize you’restill holding back a little, but nowhere near as much as youusually do.”
“Hmm,” he grunted and returned his swords tothe wall. “Maybe we’ll try something else after feeding.”
“Sounds good to me,” Vicky replied andreturned her weapons too.
She walked beside him to the swinging, metaldoors leading into the room where the blood was stored. Pushingopen one of the doors, Aiden stepped into the room and walked overto the industrial refrigerator set against the back wall. Heremoved two bags from within and handed one to Vicky. Once shefinished with hers, Vicky threw the bag away and waited for him ashe consumed three more before finally feeling somewhat sated.
Opening one of the doors, they stepped backinto the gym as Ronan and his mate, Kadence, entered. Walking nextto Kadence was her brother, Nathan. Seeing him, Vicky stiffened,and a deer in the headlights look came over her face. Ronan saidsomething and Nathan nodded.
“What ishedoing here?” Vickyhissed.
Aiden frowned at her. “Nathan?”
“Yes, Nathan.”
“HeisKadence’s brother.”
“He’s also a hunter who slaughters ourkind,” she retorted.
“Not anymore. Ronan has an alliance with thehunters. I don’t trust them yet—”
“Neither do I.”
“I’m sure most here don’t trust them, butfighting against Joseph together is better for all of us.”
“Hmm,” she grunted. “I have to go.”
Aiden blinked at her abrupt words. He’dgrown up in a houseful of women, so he knew about mood swings, butthis was a bit much, even for Vicky who could be as temperamentalas a grizzly bear some days.
“I thought you wanted to continue training?”he asked.
“I forgot I have something else to do. I’llsee you later.”
Before he could reply, Vicky stalked awayfrom him. Instead of heading straight for the door, she walked tothe wall and followed it all the way around the room. She kept hergaze resolutely forward, her shoulders back and her chin raised asshe approached the door. Uneasiness churned in Aiden’s gut whenNathan turned to watch her slip out of the gym.
“Shit,” he breathed when he recalled askingVicky if she’d met someone, her brusque reply, and the fact he’dsensed she’d lied to him.
