Ritual of Blood by By Angela Edgehart and Amelia Shaw

Author:By Angela Edgehart and Amelia Shaw [Edgehart and Amelia Shaw, By Angela]
Language: eng
Format: epub

Thirteen

Lexi

I was trying really hard not to sink my teeth into Eve’s throat, but if she kept kicking me in the ribs, I couldn’t make any promises.

The original group of Slayers had gathered around the empty practice ring in the basement to watch as I was pitted against Eve. This training was meant to help us prepare to raid Crimson Thirst’s lair, but I felt like I was putting on some sort of show.

Baby Vamp versus Baby Slayer.

The bright fluorescent lights and hard concrete had put me on edge as soon as I stepped into the frigid space. My newly heightened senses still overwhelmed me at times.

Not long ago, I would’ve been thrilled to train with this group. Ana would’ve been proud that I made it onto the team. Those were the thoughts that kept me going when I wanted nothing more than to rip their throats out. That, and the sheer determination to get Noah back. Ever since he’d been put to sleep, it was like there was a hole where I’d once felt his emotions.

I could feel Gabe’s eyes on me like fire burning my back where his gaze was pinned. It fueled the anger I was becoming so familiar with.

Punch. Eve’s fist hit my chest.

Punch. Kick. Punch.

I ducked under her last swing, and she missed.

That’s enough!

When she attacked again, I elbowed her in the chin, knocking her backward.

Blood coated Eve’s lip where her teeth had cut into her flesh. She licked it away and growled at me.

The scent made my fangs drop. Hunger overcame me like a billowing mist that ate up everything in its path. My opponent’s face blurred until she became unrecognizable.

“That’s enough. Rainier, you’re up,” Gabe instructed. I could hear a hint of tension in his tone. He knew what blood would do to me.

Catching her breath, my enemy didn’t move right away.

“Eve,” Gabe said a little louder, obviously annoyed he had to ask again.

“Sorry.” She spit out a gob of blood onto the floor and walked out of the ring to clean herself up.

Rainier trotted into the center to face me, grinning like a fool. Excited to have a crack at me, was he? I couldn’t help but laugh. If only they understood how close to the edge I stood. Holding myself back was torture. The monster was screaming and banging against the constraints inside my own mind. Every muscle ached with the strength used to restrain it.

“This is against your nature,” the monster’s voice seethed inside my head.

“Let me fight him instead,” Blake said from the sidelines. He knew I was struggling.

“No,” Gabe refused. “Alexis needs to do this.”

Blake continued to argue, “This isn’t a good idea.”

“It’s not up for discussion,” Gabe snapped, putting an end to it. “She isn’t ready until she can keep herself under control.”

“I’m fine,” I growled. Not because I was angry with Blake, but because the monster was that close to the surface.

Rainier put his fists up as I rolled my shoulders and prepared to fight.

I can do this.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.