“What?” Insecurity makes the word rattle in my mouth.
He grips my arm, just above my elbow. “If I had not granted you my power earlier, you would’ve died fighting the Succumbed.”
I try and pull away, unable to deny it thanks to the blood lore, but he holds fast.
“It was clever, I grant you. Allowing me to think you’re a hunter so you could secure your place here—protect yourself from the withering by becoming my bloodsworn. But I’ve shown you my true face. I think it’s time you showed me yours.” He leans forward and my world narrows to him alone.
“How much can you really know?” I boldly ask, dancing with my words. “You didn’t even know those monsters were hunting us every full moon.”
“Monsters?” he echoes with indignation. “Show some respect. Despite what they are now, they were once my kin, my forefathers, the men and women I should have served were it not for your hunter’s curse turning them into what they are. Some of them were alive when I went into my slumber and I woke to find them mindless enemies.
“You think I want to see my people cut down? Left out to burn in the sun without the decency of a proper burial? You think I would’ve let them wander into your world like cattle for slaughter if I’d known?”
Heart pounding, I am captive in his hold. Helpless to do anything but stare in fear and awe at the pain overflowing from him. He feels so deeply. Deeper than I’ve ever even allowed myself to feel.
“Enough, Ruvan,” Ventos calls over. “You’re wasting your breath. You’ll never get a human, and especially not a hunter, to sympathize with our plight.”
Yet that’s what he’s been trying to do. Keeps trying to do. Ruvan’s eyes don’t leave mine. I can feel him searching. Begging for something that I can’t give. His magic brushes against me with feather-light invisible touches. It envelops me.
“He’s right, a hunter would never sympathize with you,” I say softly, trying to keep my focus straight with him staying so close. The words lack their usual bite. I can’t put force behind them, even if I wanted to. And maybe, terrifyingly, I don’t want to anymore. I can’t say all the harsh and scathing things I want to because the bond won’t let me…which means they’re no longer true.
But Ruvan doesn’t seem to see it. “And here I thought that perhaps…perhaps because you weren’t really one of them you might just…” Ruvan curses. “Very well. Lie to yourself. Try to deceive with your half-truths. Further insult my attempts at kindness and generosity. It’s all your kind knows how to do anyway.”
He releases me with a light push. Enough to give him room to maneuver around me. But I wasn’t expecting it. I stumble. My foot lands on a board, rather than a beam. It plunges straight through the soggy, snowy wood. I’m off-balance, trying to catch myself. Despite his anger and his glares, Ruvan lunges for me. Our fingers pass through each other. His eyes widen slightly as I fall, crashing through the floor.
Wind screeches in my ears. I try and twist my body, to fall on my feet. I might shatter my legs, but I can have my knees take the impact and then—
There’s shouting above. Whizzing. Two strong arms circle me. Ruvan pulls me to him, twisting us at the last second. We crash to the ground, him softening the impact with his body.
We’ve landed awkwardly. I’m sprawled atop him, legs tangled. Armor pressed together. I groan, prying myself away. Ruvan’s arms are still around my waist. His hair is almost as silver as his armor in the fading light. His lips part slightly.
Just as I’m about to stand with a grimace and an apology, he twists.
“Look out!” Ruvan rolls over and atop me. A clang rings out against his armor, accompanied by a high-pitched screeching sound.
A shadow leaps back, clinging unnaturally to the corner where the wall meets the ceiling, like a frog or spider. Its claws are extended nearly to the size of sickles. Its mouth is permanently opened, a crackling noise reverberating between its four fangs.
“What the…” I breathe in shock.
As soon as I make a sound, the creature’s head jerks toward us. It lets out another blood-curdling scream. The sound is in my teeth. My eyes water and ears ring, dizziness overtaking me. The world suddenly has a sickening swirl.
“Riane, get a hold of yourself!” Ruvan grabs my shoulders, shaking lightly. “I need you with your wits.” He raises his thumb to his lips, as if he intends to bite it again and give me his power. Even with my consciousness tenuous, the hunger rises within me, eager.
But he doesn’t have a chance to break his skin before the beast launches itself into the air.
“My lord!” Ventos booms.
“It’s a Fallen!” That’s the only reply Ruvan has a chance to give before the monster is on him.
The beast is shadow and wind—a roar of claws and death. Ruvan is unflinching as he positions himself between me and the monstrosity. I watch; the world slows. I capture every detail as Ruvan raises his sickle. He goes for the monster’s throat, the creature rears back, the silver clips its shoulder. The beast howls and falls. I think it’s over.
I’m wrong.
I watch with horror as it slowly rises once more. An unrelenting nightmare.
“It—It—You cut it with silver.”
“Silver is a weakness of the vampir.” Ruvan glances over his shoulder, golden eyes swirling with anger. I honestly can’t tell if it’s directed at me or not. “I told you, these beasts are not vampir. The deeper the hold of the curse, the less they are one of us. Be ready.”
