Authors: Nicolette Scarletti
Priest’s eyes filled with a sadistic light. “You think to fight me and win?”
I crouched low, a defensive move. “Perhaps not. But I do believe I can fight the good fight. That I can go the distance.”
It was a bible verse I had thrown at him with the hopes it might work like Holy water in those vampire movies. You know toss it on the baddie and they go up in smoke, but nothing of the sort happened now.
Priest just grunted and flexed once again, he didn’t even bother to pander a little more. Without warning he charged me, his tattooed arms out wide, intent on grabbing me. Instantly I ducked and swept my leg out. Priest stumbled but didn’t go down. The bystanders laughed at him only adding to his already burning anger.
He turned, “Beginner’s luck.”
I shook my head, “No. A Russian Leg Sweep.”
Another round of laughter followed my reply. Priest tensed, I guessed he took himself too seriously to let others laugh at him. That was the sign of a sore loser, someone who would stop at nothing to win. I needed to be on guard now especially after scoring the first hit.
“Again.” He made a come on gesture with his fingers.
I had to wonder just how stupid he thought I was. There was no way I was going to bring the fight to him. I was crazy, not suicidal. I shook my head and stood my ground. If he wanted to continue this dance he would have to bring it to me.
Priest moved with a measured pace. I had thought he would charge again but he just marched right up to me. His odd behavior took me aback and I didn’t have time to brace myself. With a closed fist he punched me right in the ribs. Crack!
My bruised ribs were now well and truly broken. I dropped to the stone floor as my breath rushed out of me, tears sprang to my eyes. The pain was beyond anything I could have imagined. Think Mack truck hitting a Prius. Yep, total devastation.
Priest turned toward Kristoff, “Here, I give you your bride.” He pointed at me, “If she cannot best me, then she is beneath me. This would make her mate also beneath me.”
“You forget yourself, dog.” Kristoff growled. “Remember, if Dara fails to put you in your place, I can and will.”
I stood on shaky legs. My side was killing me but Kristoff’s blood was now easing the sting. I was sure that my broken bones were already knitting themselves together. That the pain was more from that than any lasting damage Priest had done. I spat out a mouthful of blood, he must have punctured something. But I wasn’t worried, as I said the demon venom racing through my system was fixing my injuries. All I needed was just another moment to catch my breath and I’d able to counter.
“Again.” The word came out a whisper, but Priest stiffened and I knew he had heard me.
He turned to face me then. His eyes narrowed in annoyance, “Why won’t you stay down?”
“I guess because you hit like a preschooler.” I shrugged even though it hurt to do so.
This time when he charged I was ready. Dropping to the floor I winced in pain, when I bounced back up Priest was already behind me. Crouched, I brought my elbow back and slammed it into his solar plexus. Surely that would bring him down a notch. But when I looked behind me he was only swaying.
A pissed off look filled his eyes. “You are going to beg for death, little girl.”
I laughed. Actually, I laughed so hard I made my ribs hurt all over again. “If I’m not afraid of him.” I jerked my thumb in Kristoff’s direction. “Then why the hell would I be afraid of a peon like you?”
“Bitch!” Priest spat.
“I’ve been called a lot nicer by far nastier people.”
I didn’t even spare him a glance; instead I looked at my nails as if I was bored. I should have been looking at Priest, but it seemed I was in the mood to be a smartass instead. When I looked up it was too late. Priest was on me and my chest was greeted by his boot.
He’d hit me hard enough to drop me, but not as hard as he could have. Priest was holding back in hopes that this was a test. That Kristoff would allow us both to live. There was a fat chance of that happening and I knew it. This right here was kill or be killed.
Once more I stood and once more we grappled. Again and again we went at each other, neither one of us able to get the upper hand. I was more than sure I was still standing because of the demon venom that was now running through my veins. Let’s face it no matter how badass I thought I was, it wasn’t enough to knock heads with a werewolf and still be standing.
Kristoff watched from the altar, his impatience was tangible. He was annoyed that he wasn’t getting what he had paid for. He expected me to finish Priest off in one go around. I had his venom and blood running through me, but that didn’t make me one of his juiced up gorillas; or his at all for that matter.
“If one of you doesn’t do something good soon, I’ll kill you both.”
“Go to hell.” Annoyed at myself that I couldn’t get him to stay down, I shoved Priest off of me once more.
I was going to have to employ some dirty tactics soon. A smile tugged at my lips as I remembered a saying that one of my all-time favorite wrestlers used a lot. Win if you can, lose if you must, but always cheat. Good advice if I’ve ever heard it, especially when facing a werewolf three times your size. Although I didn’t see how putting him out with my empathic abilities was cheating when clearly I couldn’t beat him physically. After all what was a long nap to a werewolf? I’d just put a little English on it so Priest would wake up with one hell of a hangover. It would serve him right for hurting Sabine the way he had.
Kristoff turned his attention to Priest knowing full well that he wasn’t going to get me to comply. “You have the gall to call yourself my best warrior. Yet, you cannot seem to defeat a little girl.”
That did it! The last of Priest’s humanity slipped away at Kristoff’s words, the beast was in full control now. This time he didn’t bother to even answer, he just charged me. He was beside himself with fury and it made him sloppy. Good, sloppy I could deal with, but demon venom or not another hit from him like the last might kill me.
Were’s were supposed to be these excellent hunters. Rumor had it that they made fierce warriors. But Priest’s weakness seemed to be that he was ruled by his emotions, which actually worked to my advantage. If I could get him angry enough then I could throw him off his game. That gave me a fighting chance, one I’d gladly take.
I stood stock still just waiting. As soon as he moved closer to me he charged and dodging to the left I was able to jump onto his back. With a great deal of effort on my part I wrapped my legs around his waist and slapped him in a headlock. He was tough to hold on to. His waist had to be twice the size of my torso, not to mention his neck was huge. I felt his beast stirring under the surface and knew I had to make sure he was out before the beast shook me off. Priest frantically grabbed for me. Twisting his arms this way and that. But every time he came close to grabbing me I jerked my arms about his throat tighter and sent a wave of lethargy toward him.
Kristoff watched the entire display, his eyes filled with pride. I was annoyed that my tenacity made him happy. It irked me that he thought given half the chance I wouldn’t do the same thing to him. That was if I knew it would work, but I doubted it would.
I looked Kristoff dead in the eye as I choked out Priest
.
Not in a sexy come and get it way either. More along the lines of payback’s a bitch and you’re looking at her way. I wanted him to know that I was wishing it was his throat my arms were around.
The longer Priest struggled the more lethargy I shot into him. As Kristoff watched some odd emotion took over his eyes. The more I scrutinized him, from my position on Priest’s back, the easier the emotion was to recognize. Just under the surface of his pride for me, his desire prowled. He was turned on by the fact that I could hold my own.
Great, now I needed to fend off his advances as well. It’s a good thing that grandpa and I had watched all that wrestling when I was a kid, because it looked like I was going to need it. I wondered if I should use a clothesline or a figure four on Kristoff when I was done with Priest.
Falling to his knees, Priest finally began to succumb to my empathic gift. My feet hit the floor and the impact jarred me enough that I almost lost my grip on him. I caught my breath and squeezed even harder on his windpipe. His arms still flared but there was no power behind them. Priest had used up most of his strength trying to steamroll me and now I used it to my advantage. With one final squeeze the last of the fight eked out of him.
As he went slack in my arms Kristoff pushed off the altar and came toward me. When Priest was completely limp I dropped him. Just to add insult to injury I kicked his arm away from me. I did it mostly to make sure the rest of the robed freaks watching knew not to mess with me or they would get more of the same.
I crouched a second time, getting ready to fight Kristoff if I had to. If he came at me I didn’t know how I would fend him off. Most of the power I received from our blood exchange was wearing off by now. Kristoff would be fresh for this battle, where as I had just faced off with Priest. My odds weren’t looking too good but I’d take them anyway.
He quirked his brow in question, as if to say he wouldn’t dare. He wouldn’t, but I would. There was no way I was going to let Kristoff control me. Venom bound or not, I was still my own person. So if I wanted to behave stupidly and face an opponent I knew I couldn’t beat I would do just that and there was nothing he could do to stop me.
With a wave of his hand, calm swept through me. I slowly stood to my full 5’2” height, which was not very impressive when you faced a 6’5” demon. But it seemed as long as his venom ran through my body I had no choice in some things. I wondered if I could find someone with a few pet leeches, to drain his venom and blood from my system. Kristoff’s words stopped my musings.
“Well played bride. It would appear your grandfather’s life wasn’t wasted after all.”
I marched forward to meet him. I was ready to let him have the rest of what Priest hadn’t gotten. After all the crap I had been through the last few days I wasn’t in the mood. Running for my life, being set up, Demon bonding ritual, yeah I’d venture to guess anyone in their right mind would be pissy. I guess I’d just have to teach Kristoff it wasn’t smart to piss me off.
He must have seen the determination in my eyes, because before I could strike out he grabbed me. Pulling me tight against him, effectively caging my arms to my sides. I struggled for good measure when what I really wanted to do was stomp my foot and pout like a child. Although, I doubted that would get me very far.
We both knew he was too strong for me to break his hold. I wasn’t fool enough to try and fight my way out of his arms. Any failure on my part would make Kristoff look strong and make me appear weak. I couldn’t let that happen I had an image to uphold. After all I did just take down a full grown werewolf.
“While I appreciate your ferocity, do not attempt to strike me again.”
“Or else what?” I wriggled a little in his grasp for good measure.
The look in his eyes said I was asking for it, maybe I was. I really didn’t care at this point. I was just tired of this little game of manhunt we had been playing for twenty-one years. I’ve seen cats finish mice faster. Kristoff could either put up or shut up for all I cared.
“Or else I will make every minute of eternity a living hell for you.”
Point for him in that department. Although, I was ready to tell him he was doing a fine job of it now. It was right there on the tip of my tongue but before I could get into any more trouble, the door flew open and in rushed the cavalry. Wonderful timing, I thought with a roll of my eyes.
“Well, its about damn time. Don’t you think?” I quipped from my position in Kristoff’s arms.
His attention turned toward the door and I took the opening. Bringing my knee up I tried to unman him, but we were too close and I only managed to graze him. Which in my book was worse than taking him out with a low blow, because he hadn’t gone down and was pissed off anyway.
I had a second to see Josef and the Quiet Man enter the room followed by the best warriors the Council had to offer. Then my vision was blocked as Kristoff turned back to look at me. His eyes flashed with rage and I knew I was in for it now. I would have to remember that I should never go for a low blow when demons are in the mix. I was sure now that no good could come of it.
“You my dear will pay dearly for that.” I tensed in his arms. “I see you are already wondering just what I plan on doing to you.”
Kristoff ran one hand through my hair, yanking hard. He exposed my throat and his eyes grew heavy lidded. He eyed me as if he’d bite me again. To me it was a threat far worse than one of death. A small whimper left my lips. Cut me some slack I was hotheaded not stupid. I really was in deep crap now. There was no telling what Kristoff would do to me. He could take the two of us out of here with no more than a thought. Then where would I be, no one would be coming to my rescue that was for sure.
“Good. I want you to remember that as long as my venom runs through your veins, I will find you. There is a piece of me inside of you. One you’ll never get rid of. You will be mine whatever it takes. ”
His grip had loosened and he began stroking my hair as if he was whispering sweet nothings to me. This couldn’t be good. I knew what he was trying to tell me. I was his, lock, stock and barrel. There was no where I could go that he couldn’t and wouldn’t follow. No being on earth was strong enough to reverse our bond now. Nor would any being be crazy enough to cross Kristoff, not even if they were well compensated.
“Let her go.” The Quiet Man said into the now chaotic room.
When had all the fighting erupted? Had my mind been so screwed up that I had missed the fight? I mean if I was honest with myself it was hard to think around Kristoff, another side effect of his bite. I was damned now worse than I was before.
“As you wish.” He never took his eyes from mine. “Next time we meet, I shall teach you your place. Remember, Dara, whatever it takes I will have you for my own.”
Kristoff stepped back from me. What the hell was going on? He wasn’t just going to give up. Or was he? All that crap about how I was his bride and now he was just going to leave me here. That just didn’t seem like something Kristoff would do. I needed to figure out what he was getting out of all of this?
Crap, Kristoff meant to torture me further by making me wait for my comeuppance. He would bide his time and I like an inmate on death row would know what was coming, but never when it was coming. A perfect mind fuck, score a point for the demon high lord.
Before I could step away from him, Kristoff grabbed me. Turning he faced the Quiet Man making sure he could see whatever was coming next. The only thought that was running through my mind was that this could not be good. He wanted to make sure that whatever he did to me now, there was someone to witness his malice.
Kristoff yanked my head back once more, exposing my throat, “This shall serve as a reminder of whom you belong to.”
Before I knew what was happening he struck, biting into his mark once more. My eyes rolled back in my head as he pumped me full of another round of his venom. The pain of his bite this time was unbearable, I felt like my entire body was on fire. I heard an ear splitting scream fill the room, but didn’t realize that it was coming from me.
Between the pain and fatigue my body began to sag against Kristoff’s hold. He pulled back from the bite, brushing hair from my face. “Although you’ll forget all about tonight and our past encounters, I won’t. I’ll be watching you, always.”
“Who?”
I tried to raise my hand and push this guy away from me, but instead of meeting the solid muscle of his chest my hand went right through him as if he were a hologram. Damn it, I was hallucinating hot guys now. You’d think I would at least know the imaginary guy’s name.
The man before me began to fade and my body began to sink to the floor. Two strong arms caught me before the stones could greet my body. When I looked up I was met by two cognac colored eyes. Now who the heck was this dude? Before I could ask my vision began to waver; the world around me starting to fade.
“Easy. Josef will take you to safety.” The man’s voice was like dark chocolate and for a moment I wished he wasn’t so covered up.
My world shifted and I was in the arms of a tall blonde. “What happened?”
“Sh. Everything will be fine now.”
I hadn’t realized we were moving until he laid me down in the back of a Hummer. Without further ado the man took off toward our destination and hopefully safety. Or a cold lake so I could stop the burning coursing through my veins, right now either would do just fine.