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“No,” I retorted sharply. “You lied because you knew what my reaction would be. That I’d never accept it.”
“Seeing as you seem to pull stakes out of nowhere like magic, it’s probably a good thing he didn’t tell you,” Viggo grumbled from the picnic table. His words made me think that there were no other vampires within earshot anymore.
Zan shot him a warning look before focusing back on me. “I didn’t bring you out here to argue. You wanted to train. Let’s go.”
He circled me, forcing me to move to keep him in front of me. My fingers tightened around the stake, though I wasn’t sure why I was still holding it. It wasn’t like I’d kill him even if I got the chance. Not when his brothers were watching. My heart stuttered. I wasn’t sure I could kill him even if we were alone. No matter how angry I was, I still didn’t want him dead.
Stupid fucking human feelings.
“How many vampires have you killed?” Zan’s quiet question pulled me from my thoughts.
I paused for a moment. “A few.”
“Is that so?” My answer seemed to amuse him. “And how do you get the advantage?”
Before I could answer, he lunged. In the span of a heartbeat, his fingers were wrapped around my wrists, and he yanked me toward him. Fuck me, he was fast. Much faster than any vampire I’d ever encountered. The stake was still in my grasp, but it was useless with how tightly he was holding me.
“Let me guess,” he murmured, his eyes gleaming with smugness. “You act like a scared little human until they get close enough to use that stake. Unless you have those wooden bullets. Then you wound them badly enough until you can finish them.”
That was exactly what I did. It was the only way to beat a vampire when their strength outweighed mine. And most of the time, I wasn’t by myself. Clovers didn’t go out alone for that reason. But I wasn’t about to admit all that to Zan. Not when he was so arrogant that he was right.
I tilted my chin up, keeping my eyes on his as I smirked devilishly. “I usually seduced them. Vampires lose their common sense for two things. Blood and sex.”
Zan’s jaw clenched, his eyes darkening as his grip on my wrists tightened. “What are you saying, Kali?”
His voice was soft but warped with so much danger that I nearly swallowed my words. Oh, I was pissing him off. Maybe not the best idea to keep pushing him. But I wasn’t backing down now.
“Did you not hear me the first time?” I asked sweetly. “You wanted to know how I beat vampires. I seduced them. Isn’t that exactly what I did with you?”
“You’re lying,” he forced out through clenched teeth.
“Maybe,” I replied, unsuccessfully trying to pull out of his hold. “And if I’m not?”
His gaze was locked on mine, and the fury in his eyes slowly faded as a smirk lifted the corners of his lips. His sudden change had my guard rising, especially when he leaned down, putting his face inches from mine. I arched my back, attempting to create some space, but he only followed, keeping my wrists trapped.
“Then it’s a good thing those vampires are already dead,” he murmured, the lethal threat in his voice contradicting the grin on his face.
My heart pounded as I matched his smile. “Careful, Zan. Your obsession is showing.”
“If that’s what you want to call it, fine.” He suddenly released me. “It doesn’t change anything.”
I scrambled back, my muscles tensing as I waited for him to pounce again. It didn’t matter how well I could fight. I didn’t stand a chance against him. Not when he was expecting it.
“None of those tactics will work in this city,” Zan said in a low voice. “They think you’re a new vampire here. One connected to me. If they see you as a target, they’ll come after you when you’re not expecting it.”
“Good thing you never leave me alone,” I muttered bitterly.
“You were last week,” he tossed back. “You’re lucky Gia was watching you.”
I scoffed. “Lucky? Have I ever really been alone since I stepped foot in this city?”
“It could happen, and I want you to be ready. Which is why we’re out here.”
Was that nervousness I heard in his tone? Was it because his father was aware of me now? Just like Zan, there was no way I could ever be a match against Amaros Kane.
“You have to fight smart,” Zan said, prowling around me again. “Catch them off guard.”
I stayed light on my feet as I watched him. “And how do you expect me to do that?”
