bChapter /bb175 /b

    Maybe he’s lost in his thoughts, mulling over the new discoveries about me, because I see that crack in his defenses he was talking aboutb. /bThe predator instinct within me takes over. I lunge at his back, wrap my arm around his neck, and ce my other hand on his head, forming ba /bgrip that could snap his neck without even trying. He digs his fingers into my flesh, struggling to free himself or find room to breathe.

    “Speed, strength…” he growls with effort.

    “Let it go, Abraxas.”

    With my legs wrapped around part of his torso, I force him to bend. I won’t lie, even I’m surprised by this strength I didn’t know I had. I start to think that recent events, the fact that I’m here, a ce I’ve started to consider my home, have made me shed the false skin I used to camouge myself.

    When his knees hit the ground and his face begins to take on a strange hue, I drop my arms from his neck. He takes a deep breath and it only takes a few seconds for him topose himself. He stands again before me, his imposing posture back in ce.

    “I must say, I’m frankly surprised.”

    “Really?”

    He puts on a serious face

    “You’re strong and fast, qualities I wouldn’t have attributed to you before. Slippery, maybe.” Seeing my annoyed expression, he smiles yfully and shrugs. “I’m just being honest. Yourbat skills against a vampire were pretty disastrous. It’s not your fault, nature made us predators and you, prey. Though it would be wrong to think that now, wouldn’t it? I get the feeling you’re no longer that.”

    “Don’t make me lie, Abraxas.”

    “Don’t trust me?”

    “I trust you, but my secret is too big to make you carry it too.”

    My response seems to satisfy him, his shoulders rx and his features soften to appear more friendly.

    “How’s Ciro?” I ask to divert the attention.

    “He misses you.” The green in his eyes looks at me intensely. “You’ve be a great friend to him, and even though it’s been such a short time, your absence is noticeable.”

    “And you? Do you miss me?”

    “Do you think I would havee to this fucking castle of horrors if not?”

    “Hey! This castle is beautiful, don’t be jealous.”

    “I’m sure Cassian has a dungeon where he lets loose with his sexual perversions.”

    I open my mouth to retort, but someone beats me to it.

    “Do you want me to show it to you?” Cassian’s voice has a yful yet sensual tone.

    “You know I’ve never really been into men, but looking at you closely, I might make an exception.”

    For a moment, I feel like an intruder, I clear my throat to get their attention.

    bAug /b

    If iyou /iwant, I’ll leave.”

    Cassian rolls his eyes.

    “Don’t be silly, I wouldn’t touch an Amery with a stick.” He looks at me in a way that almost consumes me. “Speaking of truths, bI /bwouldn’t touch anyone at all.”

    “Don’t let it be you,” I think.

    Now it’s my friend who clears his throat to get our attention. I can’t help but blush a little.

    “I see I’m the odd one out here. You’re in that destined couple stage where you can’t stop fucking like rabbits.”

    “Abraxas!”

    “What?” He puts on his most innocent expression while Cassianughs. “I’m just speaking the truth. You reek of sex.”

    “I think it’s better you leave.”

    Now the two of themugh at my expense. I cross my arms, pretending to be angry until Abraxas steps forward and engulfs me in a hug. At first, I y hard to get, but eventually, I uncross my arms and wrap them around his waist. I rest my head on his chest, noticing theck of a heartbeat. In my mind, Cassian’s fingers brush the surface, making me aware that he’s not too happy about our closeness. I stifle ba /bugh and

    break free from the embrace.

    “Don’t forget about your friends, alright? Try to get out of that sexual dungeon of that depraved man ande train every once in ba /bwhile.

    It’s nice.”

    “Don’t push it, Amery. I don’t like sharing his attention.”

    “You’re like a little kid, you know?”

    “I have only–child syndrome.”

    Cassian shrugs, as if that justifies his sometimes selfish, jealous, and spoiled behavior. Ourpanion rolls his eyes and, throwing onest smile my way, disappears, leaving behind only a small cloud of dirt.

    “I think Abraxas suspects what I am,” I say, moving closer to Cassian. “He’s noticed I’m faster and stronger…b” /b

    “You can’t hide what you are.”

    “More like I don’t want to have to.”

    He nods in agreement.

    He gives me a light tap on the shoulder, trying to dissipate the gloomy atmosphere that has settled in just seconds before.

    “I saw iyou /iwon the fight… What about a second round?”

    “With you?”

    “Are you afraid I’ll beat you?”

    “Egocentric,” I scoff. “What do I get if I winb?/b”

    “I’ll tell you between the sheets.”

    He winks at me, gets into position, and shows me that he’s a lethal weapon in every way.