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He bared sharp white fangs. “Stupid human.” He circled right, the cloak swirling around his body. “You think you can win against a vampire? Fight me, and your blood will taste all the sweeter.”
I touched the switchblade’s catch and the long silver blade slid out. “You know how many arrogant pricks I’ve sent to their final graves?”
He was almost on me now. Spinning on my heel, I sprang over the stream.
He leapt a split-second later, landing in front of me. I backpedaled, slamming up against a tree trunk. A pear plopped to the ground beside me.
Leclerc’s eyes bored into mine, his dark irises rimmed an impossibly bright blue. “On your knees, girl.”
I backed around the tree and kept moving until I was on the flagstone path. He followed, so close I was smothered in his stomach-turning odor.
“On. Your. Knees.”
His will beat at mine—and holy crap, he was strong.
Blood pounded in my ears. Sweat beaded on my temples. For a terrifying few seconds, I was afraid I wasn’t going to resist the compulsion to obey, and I’d never met a vampire who’d been able to compel me. The switchblade dropped from my nerveless fingers.
It was the clatter of silver against the flagstone that slapped me awake.
You’re Twilight. Daughter of Shade, granddaughter of Ghost.
You don’t kneel to anyone, especially a vampire.
The urge to obey receded, but to throw him off guard, I pretended it had worked. “Yes, my lord.” I started to bend my knees.
Another overpowering wave of his scent rolled over me. I sipped a small breath through my mouth.
Lightning crashed, and rain began to fall. He glanced up, distracted.
I risked a look down at the switchblade. I’d have one chance to stake him. I had to make it count.
One, two…
His face pulled into an evil smile. He reached for me. “Such a good girl.”
…and NOW.
Scooping up the knife, I shoved it with all my strength in the space between his fourth and fifth ribs. There was resistance as it hit his heart and then it was through. I twisted my wrist, pushing the blade even deeper.
His shriek filled the air, ending in a gurgle. Blood dripped from his mouth.
A bony hand scratched at my throat, then he dropped to the ground, the switchblade handle sticking from his ribs.
I stared down at him, breathing hard.
His flesh blackened and started to smoke. He glared up at me, mouth working. More blood trickled out of the corner of his lips. Then his eyes glazed over.
He whispered a name. “Lenore.”
Unearthly flames danced over his body. More skin blackened and turned to ash. The rotten scent was replaced by the odor of burning flesh.
“Lenore.” A smile lifted his lips as if his mate were there beside him, and then he went still.
I waited another minute or so, then crouched on my haunches and wrenched the switchblade out of his body, wiping the blood and charred flesh on the grass. I came back to my feet, watching as his body disintegrated.
I gazed at the ashes numbly.
What the fuck had I done?
