Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 53656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
After seeing the interaction with her mother and the heavy aftereffects, I doubted it.
My veins filled with ice. Her mother looked down her nose at her own offspring like Cassandra was some disease that needed rooting out, or, just as badly, some tool she wanted to utilize for her own gain.
Before I became a hunter, I’d been born into a prestigious aristocratic family, so I was no stranger to the effects of wealth and power. But my family was nothing like the Zorins. We actually loved each other. Supported each other’s personal aspirations. All it would take was one mention of my noble bloodline and Cassandra’s mother would likely change her entire attitude, no doubt shoving Cassandra my way for an advantageous pairing.
“Fine,” Cassandra said. “Let's go again.” She lunged, opting for a surprise attack which was wasted on me. I anticipated her move and had her on her back in one second flat. I just as quickly hauled her to her feet again, dipping my head to indicate we start again.
“You're being too obvious,” I said after another five failed attempts to even lay one hand on me. “Any vampire with a fraction of training will see the intention in your eyes before you make the move physically.”
Those eyes in question cut daggers at me.
“I think it's just you,” she said. “I think you've been studying me since the day you met me and that's why you're so easily able to read me. Others have never been able to see through my mask—”
“Nobles,” I cut her off before she could continue, stepping into her space and looking down at her. “Nobles can't see through your mask. Royals even. The pompous aristocratic vampires who you’ve spent so much of your time with. Now, I’m not saying fooling them is an easy feat, but this is something entirely different. Survival is entirely different. So sure,” I continued. “Draw up whatever masks you need to, but apply them as if your life depends on it.”
A spike of fear tainted the scent of her blood, the smell slightly frigid. Well, at least she had some survival instincts left because for a few moments, I swore the female didn't care if she lived or died.
“I'm trying,” she admitted on a tight breath. “I promise. I'm trying.”
“You need to try harder,” I snapped, my patience wearing thin. “I'm sure if this was a dance lesson you’d be passing it with flying colors.” I swung, and she managed to duck before I made connection.
She glared at me as she dodged three more attempts, and I gave her a nod of praise as I continued to attack and she continued to retreat.
“That's all that I am to you, isn't it?” She weaved in and out of my slowed-down hits, but made no attempt to hit me back. “A spoiled noble vampire? The vicious daughter of a traitor? Do you seriously think I'm trying to piss you off?” she asked, lashing out with a hit that I blocked easily with one arm.
“Oh I think you live to do that every single day,” I said.
“Outside of training,” she said, retreating some more. “Absolutely. But here? No. I don't actually like my ass being handed to me every single time we face off. Do you think I want to die? Especially because I was never taught to defend myself because all I was ever supposed to be was married off and bred like some broodmare?”
That gave me pause, and I slowed, my eyes raking over every delectable inch of her body. She wore modern yoga pants and a sports bra, and both of our feet were bare against the rug. Her hair was tied back, allowing every delicate curve of her face to show. In my time, females were expected to do just as she said, but in the time she’d been born? It was an archaic notion, one of many that the Zorins clung to over the last two centuries.
A ribbon of empathy tightened in my chest, but I shook my head and furrowed my brow at her.
“If you don't want to die in the inevitable battle that’s to come, then prove it.” I went on the attack, speeding up my movements just under my full capacity.
She blocked two attempts to grab her throat.
“Good,” I said, but spoke too soon because I landed a hit to her left side that she wasn’t able to dodge, pulling the punch so much that it was more a warning tap than anything. But she still groaned in frustration, switching over to her primal instincts and lashing out as she tried to shove me across the space.
Tried and failed.
I growled, irritation rippling up every inch of my body. She had to do better. She had to take this seriously or she was going to die. Her brother wouldn't hesitate to rip out her throat if he discovered her deception against their bloodline.