Invincible (A Centennial City Novel) - By Fionn Jameson Page 0,25
outside of the jug.
“It’s precog,” I said.
His brow went even higher and I reached out for the cup of water Reiko held out to me. “Precognition?”
I couldn’t remember the last time water had tasted so good. Sweet, cold, refreshing…I didn’t stop drinking until I drained the glass.
Taking an explosive breath, I held out the cup and watched Reiko pour me another glassful. “Yes. I can read movements a couple of seconds before they are executed. It’s the only way I can fight vampires and walk away alive.”
Reiko’s eyes never left me, a petulant tilt to her crimson lips. “I wish I saw you fight. I do so enjoy watching battles.”
“Maybe next time,” I said and drained the glass again, this time slower.
Jason rubbed at his jawline. “How interesting. Well, this does change things.”
“Does it?”
Reiko lifted the jug but I shook my head. I was starting to get brain freeze and I was already in enough pain as it was.
He didn’t answer, only smiled and got up in one fluid, graceful movement. I wished I had half the mobility he did. “I think you and I will make an excellent team, Ran.”
I locked gazes with him, didn’t flinch when the corneas turned black, turned his eyes into a sea of impenetrable darkness. “For the time being.”
He took a step back and I could breathe better. “For the time being.”
This close, it was easier to appreciate the beauty in his simple and clean features. I might be apathetic to him, but I’m certainly not blind. A lock of dark hair fell over his eyes and he shoved it back impatiently. “What’s wrong?”
I shook my head and immediately regretted it as sharp, sudden pain coursed through the back of my mind. “Nothing. Never mind.”
Reiko sat down at the right hand side of the bed, her head to one side. “Will you be incapacitated for long?”
“Shouldn’t be. It usually goes away within a couple of hours, if not sooner,” I said. “Why?”
She crossed her arms and I wondered what it would be like to be a child forever, without any choice in the matter. It probably wasn’t the best idea to bring it up.
“This is only the first night.”
The implications made my head ache even more, pulsing like an angry, infected wound. “So you’re saying there will be other vampires trying to kill him.”
“I’m sorry,” she said. “There is a chance, yes. But maybe not. Perhaps when the absence of the assassin is discovered, perhaps they will consider a different approach.”
“One can only hope,” I said, voice dry. “And what are the chances of that, do you think?”
Jason let out a slow breath and stood up, hands on the back of his neck. “It doesn’t matter. I will be prepared now. Already I am beginning to feel…remarkable.”
“Remarkable,” I repeated. “And what is that supposed to mean?”
He shrugged. “Take it as you will. I only meant to say I am no longer a walking target. If another is sent after me, I will not take it lying down.”
“You?” I scoffed. “I don’t think so. This is only your first night. You might be stronger than a human, but against another vampire who is more trained than you are, you wouldn’t be able to hold on for more than a few seconds.”
Reiko coughed. “Ah, Ran?”
“What?” I might have glared at her harder than I meant to. “I’m sorry, Ran. What did you need?”
She coughed again and her round cheeks colored. “Well, that is to say…do you remember what I told you when I came out of Jason’s room last night?”
I blinked. “You said a lot of things. Which one are you referring to?”
She let out a soft sigh. “I told you Jason would not be like any vampire you have ever encountered.”
I stared at her. “What are you trying to say?”
Jason cleared his throat. At this point, I felt about as intelligent as an apple. Was I missing something? Why couldn’t anyone tell me anything outright rather than subtly hinting at clues I never knew existed?
“I’m stronger,” he said. “I’m stronger than most young vampires. My self-control is better. My senses are better. A very distinct advantage when you are turned by a Domina.”
Domina.
Reiko was a Domina.
I wanted to laugh, if only to keep from screaming. “She’s head of her own House?”
She nodded. “I am.”
Instead of abating like it should have, my headache got worse. “I knew you were older than you looked. But you didn’t seem to be particularly strong…”