leather stops, and then I sense Ronan approach. He reaches for the other katana on display, removing it from its sheath with a metallic whoosh of steel cutting air.
“Are you sure you’re up for it? You’ve been punishing that bag for how long?” My tone is light, almost joking. Someone has to keep the atmosphere positive around here or gloom will sink its claws into all of us and drag us down to a pit of despair.
In true Ronan style, he gives me a droll look. “Bitch, please. That was only the warm-up. I could take you after running a marathon.”
I head to the tatami area. “Aren’t you overconfident? I remember I kicked your ass the last couple of times.”
He rolls his eyes. “I had to let you win, or you would be an insufferable whining brat.”
The corners of my lips twitch upward. “Oh, the lies you tell yourself.”
We spar in silence for the next hour. I usually like to irritate Ronan with endless trash talk, but I know when not to mess around with him. He’s angry and out for blood. All my focus must be on keeping my head attached to my body. There’s no room for error when your opponent is a beast and you’re fighting at warp speed.
Neither of us show any signs of winding down. Gerard already came and went with the warm blood bags. I’m hungry, but the physical activity has numbed it a bit. Maybe after I get rid of all my irritation, I’ll be able to drink from one of the humans he brought in.
A bang coming from the door makes Ronan slow down. He lowers his katana when it’s safe and glances at the gym’s entrance. Manu is standing there, wearing a long deep red dress that, against her pale complexion and white hair, makes her look like blood spilled in snow. She’s a stunning female, even if she doesn’t believe so. She was also cursed by the Nightingale queen for interfering when the ruthless immortal was doling out Lucca’s punishment. Manu lost her natural coloring. She used to be a brunette like Lucca, a stunning beauty who broke hearts wherever she went. Now her formerly warm, golden skin is almost translucent, her hair is stark white, and her eyes are golden instead of rich brown.
She doesn’t acknowledge me. Her stormy eyes are glued to Ronan’s face. “Why didn’t you tell me the High Witch was coming?”
“I didn’t see you yesterday.”
“You couldn’t text or call?”
He lets out a heavy sigh. “I was sparing myself the pain of dealing with your tantrum.”
“You’re an ass.” She crosses her arms. “Well, they’re here.”
“They?” I ask.
Manu cuts her stare to mine. “Yeah, the High Witch brought her stuck-up daughter along. Ugh, I really don’t like that girl.”
I ignore Manu. She doesn’t like anyone. But by the way my heart has gone galloping at full speed, apparently, I do like Aurora. A lot. Fuck.
6
Aurora
I should have known my mother wouldn’t leave me alone for much longer, especially after I kicked Calvin out. She doesn’t try calling, she simply shows up at my door, not bothering with manners or my privacy.
I’m in the kitchen, staring at my fridge without any idea what I want to eat, when she invades my apartment as if she owns it. Forgetting the food, I bang the refrigerator door shut, turning to glower at her.
“What are you doing here?”
She fusses with the sleeve of her jacket. “Since you left our meeting in a hurry, and have been ignoring my calls, I had no choice but to show up unannounced.” Calmly, she lifts her gaze to mine.
“No, what you should have done was take the hint.” I walk around her, heading toward the couch.
Plopping on it like I don’t have a care in the world, I reach for the open magazine on the coffee table. I need to keep my hands occupied or I may “accidentally” hex her.
She follows me, losing her peaceful composure. That was quick. “Aurora Yuki Leal, I won’t tolerate defiance from you.”
“How did you expect I’d react when you told me I have to marry an asshole in ten months? Grateful? Over the moon?”
“You knew it was coming. Don’t act like it was out of the blue. You’re the future High Witch. You must marry someone equally matched in magic and influence, like I married your father.”
I snort. “That’s rich. You and Dad were high school sweethearts. Don’t stand there and pretend it was a huge sacrifice for you.”