Page 82 of Blood Day

---

I swallowed.

My eyes nearly closed.If I can’t see it happening, it won’t be real.

But it wasveryreal.

As evidenced by the shadow strolling toward me.

A leisurely walk.

A canter that captivated my attention and had me tightening my grip on my blades.

It’s my turn.

I’d expected the being to charge at me. To attack. But it merely walked toward me with a lazy pace that drew out the moment.

“Are you going to stab me, little flower?”

The deep, accented voice chased away my instincts, causing me to nearly drop my knives.

Master Cedric.

Or was my mind playing tricks on me? Causing me to morph this dark game into one I might enjoy?

The shadow was nearly before me, the moon illuminating his back instead of his front.

Is it him? Is it really Master Cedric?

“Did you fail to understand tonight’s objective, sweetling?” He pitched his voice low, whisper-soft, the accent now disguised.

It’s not him.

I imagined it.

I need to?—

He caught me by the throat. “Survive,” he told me, the anger in his voice forcing me into action.

This wasn’t Master Cedric. I’d dreamt up his voice and presence. Because I couldn’t let him go. The vampire haunted me, even during waking hours.

Fight, I coached myself, my hands flicking as I attempted to stab him. He rotated away from me, releasing my neck.

But he was too fast.

Too strong.

Tooskilled.

His hand caught my wrist, twisting it and forcing me to release one blade. It was my weaker hand, so I didn’t bother trying to stop the movement.

Instead, I concentrated on my good hand and my aim, my arm lifting in an arc that would allow me to stab the assailant in the chest.

He dodged it, his feet taking him off to the side. Then he attempted to grab me again. But I ducked, my eyes having acclimated enough to the dark to perceive his shadow.

He chuckled, the sound a taunt. Because it sounded like Master Cedric. Except it wasn’t him. It couldn’t be him.

I jumped back as he attempted to grab me once more.

Then I made the only move I could by throwing my blade when he attempted to capture me a third time.

---