Page 27 of Mortal Blood
“That’s enough. Pair up and practice finding these spots. Donotuse enough pressure to activate them—anyone knocking anyone else out without my express permission will be making a trip to the healer—and not as an escort. Do I make myself clear?”
There was a round of nods as people got to their feet and paired up.
“Hey, human, why don’t you pair up with me?” Kallan called over from a couple of tables along. “Oh, wait, that’sdhampir.”
Cole rounded on him, but I placed one hand on his arm. I couldn’t keep hiding behind him.
“That’s ‘the one who kicked your ass in assessments last year’,” I told him sweetly, and his face reddened. I smiled. “And to think, that was before I learned what I was. What do you think I can donow?”
His mouth snapped shut and he glared at me.
“Ellis, if you’re going to flirt with someone, make it your mate,” Garrett snapped as he walked past. “And make it outside of my lessons.”
…And there went my big stand. Probably for the best—weirdflukes and undiscovered powers aside, he could kick my ass without breaking a sweat.
Rolling my eyes, I turned back to Cole, and the fiercely proud look on his face stole the breath from my lungs.
“Good girl,” he murmured.
“It’s going to take more than tough words to put him off.”
“And you’ll have it. Come on, let’s get practicing. I wouldn’t mind seeing you use these on Kallan next time he tries to give you a hard time.”
Nowthatwas an appealing image.
Chapter Ten
I made it through the first few months unscathed, surprising no-one so much as myself. Well, unscathed being a relative term, in my case.
“Ow.” I picked myself up from the ground with a frown, rubbing my shoulder. “When I said I wanted you to teach me how to make the world burn, it wasn’t supposed to hurtme.”
“What’s the matter, princess?” Cole asked, his voice a low rumble as his eyes roved over me possessively. “Changed your mind about running with monsters?”
“Hardly.” I dusted myself down. “Getting put on my ass by them, however…”
He closed the gap between us, concern flickering across his rugged face. “If this is too much, if you’re not ready yet, just say.”
“I have to be ready. Half the academy has a target on my back, and they’re not losing interest.”
“And I will protect you from every one of them.”
“I know.” I reached up and touched my lips to his. “But I don’t want to be protected.”
He exhaled heavily and shook his head. “Tell me something I don’t know.”
“This time, I’m going to kick your ass.” I flashed him a mischievous smile and swept my leg behind his as the words fell from my mouth.
And then my leg bounced off his.
“Ow! Dammit!”
“Little lower, princess,” he rumbled, and then his eyes flashed. “Like this.”
…and just like that, I was on my ass on the frozen ground.Again.
“Is there some way we can make the world burn thatdoesn’tinvolve me getting a bruised ass?”
“I can think of ways of giving you a bruised ass without making the world burn.”
