A Crown Of Smoke And Ash - Sloane Murphy Page 0,32

he says so low, I'm sure the others wouldn't hear if they were human. I nod and bite my lip, because yes please.

He steps back from me and Levi watches us with a smug smile. "I'm driving."

"The hell you are," Roman bites back. "My pack, my rules. You're lucky I'm letting you in my car full stop Angel boy."

"Boys, play nice," I tut at them, and Kain and Creek laugh.

"Yes ma'am." Levi salutes with a cheeky grin as he leaves the room, and Roman just shakes his head.

"I'm making no fucking promises. Laters, Princess."

I try to hold in my laugh at their ridiculousness. It should be frustrating, but watching their battle of wills just amuses me.

My muscles sing at the strain. It’s been too long, but the burn feels good, even if I know I'm going to hurt later. "Again?"

"I'm always happy to end up on top," Kain grins at me, and Creek barks out a laugh.

"Oh, I bet you are old man, but so is she." I blush slightly at his meaning but shake it off.

"Never heard you complaining," I shoot back, and he laughs again.

"And you never will. What about a two on one situation, oh master of the darkness. Do you think you could still win then?"

"In my sleep," Kain says, his tone full of confidence, and yet not a shred of arrogance to his words, he just knows his worth. "Especially with the two of you. You're each other’s weakness, you will always try to save the other, especially you, Creek. The greatest lesson you have to learn in battle as a soldier, is selfishness. Without it, you will never win."

I let the words sink in, and feel the pull at a string inside my head, pulling at the knot my memories seem to be trapped behind. "You've told me that before."

"I have, and I have no doubt, mon amour, I will again. Now, let’s go." He stands with Creek and I in front of him, and drops into his defensive stance.

I look at Creek, and without words, I know where he's heading. His tells read loudly, but I can use that to my advantage. Be selfish Kain said. Not the easiest task, but not impossible either. I hold back a second after Creek, and let him rush forward to attack, before jumping in myself. Kain is lightning quick, doing us both, his speed almost unfathomable, but we are not mere humans, and our speed and strength almost match that of the Dracul King. I fall back, just slightly, letting Creek take Kain's entire focus before rushing in again, only to be caught by the throat. Not hard, it's barely enough to still me, but I'm held, and in a real fight, I'd be dead which makes Creek still, and Kain sweeps his feet from beneath him.

"You see, you would both be dead. You are lucky you have not come across any Dracul as old as I on your patrols. We are not as reckless as the Lycans, the hunt, while thrilling, does not override our thoughts. You would do well to remember that."

He releases me with a soft smile, and Creek groans on the floor, covering his face with his hands. "Do not lose hope, you're with us now, we can teach you."

Kain holds out a hand and helps Creek to stand. "You broadcast so loudly before you move, especially to a seasoned fighter, you need to learn better control of yourself, of your movements. You need to find that killing calm, the stillness. It is there you will find your true power."

Creek strikes without warning, attacking Kain, as if taking the lessons he was told and trying to use them. They dance as they move, and I step back, enraptured by them. Creek lasts longer, but I see it, the opening he leaves seconds before Kain takes it, and Creek finds himself face down, arms restrained behind him, and Kain pressing him into the floor.

"Better," is all I hear him say, though he bends down further, whispering to Creek, so quietly that even with my Hunter’s gifts I cannot make out the words. Creek’s face heats, and Kain laughs before he pulls away and comes to join me, gifting me a quick, chaste kiss.

"I think, that you both need to work on your stillness, before we do this again. I need to feed, before I take a bite from one of you."

His words hit me, and I realize, it’s never occurred to me before