Page 9 of Too Dangerous To Die

And then she does somethingI do not expect.

She lifts her chin and smirks.

"I guess that means you can’t kill me, either."

Something in my bloodsparks, something dark andunchained.

She is right.

And I hate it.

I inhale deeply, catching the faintest trace of her scent beneath the lingeringstench of blood and magic.

She smells like somethingsweet and untamed, like the sharp bite of winter air and the warmth of something forbidden.

A dangerous scent.

I push away from the wall, releasing her from the trap of my body.

She blinks, startled by the sudden space between us.

Good. She should not get too comfortable.

"Very well," I say, rolling my shoulders, feeling the weight of my half-formed wings shift. "If we are to be bound together, then we will need rules."

Her brows furrow. "Rules?"

"Yes." I tilt my head, watching her carefully. "You will not run from me."

Shebristles."That is not a rule. That’s a command."

"It is both."

Her jawtightens, but she does not argue.

Smart girl.

"And what else?" she asks, crossing her arms.

Ismile then, slow and sharp.

"You will not try to kill me in my sleep."

Her lips press into athin line.

Which means shewas planning to.

I chuckle. "And in return, I will not devour you while you sleep."

Her facepales.

Good. Sheshould be afraid.

I do not know how long I will be able to fight thehunger growing inside me.

Her mouth opens, but before she can speak, asound echoes through the ruins.

Distant.

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