“That’s right. How to kill a supernatural 101.” I got out of the chair and started stretching as I walked. “He’s going to be a little upset with me.”
“Why?” Cassius inquired as we left his office.
“I yelled at him when I got back. He…he asked where I had gone and asked what if something had happened to me. You know, that typical male, controlling bullshit.”
“Ah, yes, that typical male behavior.” I heard the sarcasm but chose to ignore it.
“Yeah. I lost my temper for a moment, then stomped away.”
“Ah, yes, that typical female behavior,” he muttered. I stopped and turned on him. He kept walking as if he hadn’t said anything.
We found Raphael sitting in the dining room, watching Naksha bathe under her sun lamp. He looked up when he saw us, then turned back to the snake. He seemed to like her, or at least was interested.
“What are you thinking about?” I asked, going around the table. I stood awkwardly next to him, wondering if he would acknowledge my existence.
“How the woman who sang to this snake is also the woman with the bad temper,” he said. I huffed and looked at Cassius, who shrugged, completely unwilling to help me with this.
“It’s the same woman, and I’m right here, prick. You can’t deny that you haven’t been a bit of an asshole since we met.”
“I know. I wanted to apologize,” he said suddenly, sitting up and turning his body to me. It left me standing awkwardly in front of him, and he stretched those long, muscular legs out on either side of me. “You were right. I’ve been acting…badly. You’re trying to help and probably saved my life at least twice now. Every time something reminds me that none of this is human…it upsets me, and I get angry and lose control. I spent five years doing this on my own. I don’t want to be locked away now, while you two take all the risks. Then you went off alone. I would have hated myself if anyone who helped me after so long was killed because of me.”
“I know you have abilities, so we’re going to spend the rest of our time before the trade training you and getting prepared for the trade off. We’re going to fake swap,” I said, sighing. “And sorry for being bitchy with you. There’s…more going on than just you. There’s a lot Cassius and I need to take into consideration when we’re making plans.”
“I just want to be a part of them. I’m a grown ass man who’s being treated like a child.”
“You are a child,” Cassius said evenly. “But that’s okay, so is every newly Changed werewolf and newly turned vampire. Welcome to your second childhood. It’s much shorter than the first and goes as fast or slow as you want it to.”
“Basically, learn fast, and people will start treating me with a little respect again,” Raphael said. “And they won’t think of me as someone they can take off the street and torture.”
“Exactly. Plus, I already started your training. We can pick up from there.”
“Definitely.” An excited light came into his eyes. I wanted to fucking melt, and I hated it.
“Swords? She always likes practicing with swords.” Cassius was already walking out of the room. I didn’t need to confirm his guess.
25
Chapter Twenty-Five
I spent the rest of the night sparring against Raphael and Cassius. We rotated, giving everyone a chance to take a breather as the others continued. Raphael was still as bad as he was a couple of nights before, but it was something.
“Cassius, can we use the gun range right now?” I checked the time and saw it was five in the morning. We had enough time to get more practice in.
“We can. It’s magically soundproofed,” he answered. “Raphael, let’s hope you’re better with guns than swords.”
“I hope so,” he mumbled, wiping sweat off his brow. “The fact that you all still use swords is fucking strange, but if that’s the way it is...”
“A lot of supernaturals have close abilities and strengths that need a counter if you aren’t incredibly sturdy like them. Vampires can become very strong. Werewolves and werecats don’t care what you hit them with unless it’s silver or a fatal blow—” Cassius was saying.
“And they can bat your head off like it’s a tennis ball on a T,” I added, cutting in. “Swords, daggers, spears. Old weapons are still very useful in our world. I’ll get you something silver from The Market if I