Page 34 of A Song in the Night

My eyes widen at the mention of the undertaker and a dead body, but the conversation continues without me. “You think it’s the vamp from your missing person case?” Noah asks.

“I hope not. I hate it when the clients cry in front of me.” Sylvia glowers and stalks out, shutting the door with such careless force the walls shake.

Once she’s gone, Noah and I go back to pretending. Pretending there isn’t tension in the air. Pretending we’re not painfully aware of the other person just a few feet away. Pretending that we’re just two employees working in the same office space.

Feeling Noah’s eyes on me, I glance over at him. “Ready?”

His lips curl into a grin. “You’re going to train without a soliloquy of whining?”

I start toward the door. “Come on. Before the whining kicks in.”

He chuckles behind me, and we make the journey downstairs like we’ve done nearly every day since the auction.

I’m getting stronger. More skilled. Granted, Noah can still overpower me, but the guy has been training most of his immortal life. I’ll never have the full supernatural force he or my potential enemies have, but I’ve gotten to a point where I can do some damage. Enough to survive… I hope.

“Again,” Noah demands after flipping me onto the mat. It was a messy maneuver on my part. I can do better. Iwilldo better.

With a curt nod, I readjust my stance and, without hesitation, strike out with my fist. He catches it, but that was exactly what I was expecting. I pull Noah in and grab a fistful of his hair, tugging down hard as I lift my knee to hit him smack in the nose. My fangs extend involuntarily when blood gushes from his nose, and I reel back, covering my mouth.

“Focus,” he barks, blood staining his teeth.

I shake my head. “I can’t.”

“Breathe through it. That move was solid. Don’t lose the upper hand, Charlie.”

“Shut up,” I hiss, baring my fangs.

He laughs, flashing me his own sharp canines. “We’ve had this conversation before, baby vampire. Mine are still bigger.”

I struggle to gain control over my hunger, knowing that biting Noah would be pretty much the stupidest thing I could do. It would taste amazing, I’m sure, but the chance of it latching onto my vampire genes and driving me insane? Not one I’m willing to take, no matter how hot it would be in the moment.Get a grip, I snap at the beast within.I’ll feed you later.

After several beats, I’m able to get my fangs to retract. I blink at Noah, shrugging. “I lost the upper hand.”

He nods, wiping the blood off his face. “But you controlled your hunger. That’s important too.”

“Not fast enough,” I grumble, tightening the hairband keeping my hair away from my face. “Let’s go again.”

“Maybe you should feed first?” he offers.

“You’re here to teach me how to fight, not how to be a vampire, Noah.”

Those brilliantly green eyes narrow on me as he steps closer. “You want to be a better fighter?” Another step closer. “You need to be strong.” Another step. I fight the urge to shift away. “Making sure you’re well-fed is part of that, Charlie.” Another step. We’re nose-to-nose at this point. “You understand? There ‘s no shame in taking what you need to survive. None.”

“Noah…” My pulse races. I try to look away, but he grips my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze.

“You are unbelievably frustrating, you know that?” His voice is low, rough, and his eyes are bright with attraction. It sends heat directly to my core, and I press my thighs together.

I can’t help it when my eyes drop to his mouth as he licks his lips.Oh shit.

“What are you waiting for?” he asks.

I watch his mouth move before my eyes snap back up to his to find them glimmering with amusement. I swallow, trying to ease the dryness in my throat. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Try again.”

My eyes narrow. “You’re an awful trainer. I’m trying to learn, and all you’re doing is distracting me.”

“Don’t see how that’s my fault.”

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