Page 55 of Fangbanger

She lets out a frustrated little sound and her eyes pop open. I raise my brows, partly because I know it will make that adorable frown etch between hers. Especially irritated, my mate is beautiful. Her silky hair is twisted over her head, baring her delicate neck. She’s wearing the deliciously short dress she wore to the store, and my palms itch to stroke the skin of her thighs.

“It’s not working.” Her shoulders slump. “I can feel it. It’s right there. But I can’t access it.”

Leah is like many warriors I’ve trained. She is all grit. All determination. “Let’s try something new.”

I can see her wavering. She told me how long she spent hoping for magic, and I see that spark gleaming in her eyes. I do not want to snuff it out. I want to be the wind that fans her flame. I push to stand, liking the way she watches me from under her lashes, before I give her my hand.

“Come on, slayer.”

She sighs and accepts my hand. I pull her off balance and against my chest.

“Hi,” she breathes, fighting a smile. “Don’t distract me.”

“I am not distracting you. This is training.” My smile has an edge. “You are like a battering ram, little one.” Before she can growl at me, I add, “It is admirable. I’ve fought and trained many like you. But you could stand to be more like me.”

She yanks at my hand, but I hold her fast. Her eyes are practically throwing sparks.

“You need to think tactically. Be ready for anything. Use anything. To live, you must be willing to do even the most distasteful things.” Her eyes widen as I speak. My voice carries the weight of centuries of conviction. “When did you first feel the magic?”

Her mouth twists. “After we had sex. But surely that’s not⁠—”

“I wish it were,” I say ruefully. “Before that.”

“The blood,” she exclaims. “You gave me your blood.”

I grin. Clever mate. “Want more?” I score a fang across my thumb, barely registering the pain, and raise it to her lips. She sucks it into her mouth, and I groan. She pauses. “Keep going,” I say thickly. “It will never not feel good to me.”

She laves her tongue over the wound and sucks, hard. I feel like I’ve been punched, and I fight to stay upright. The shallow cut seals before she can take more.

“I feel good.” She rolls her shoulders. “I can feel it. Marcus,” she exclaims. She breaks my grip and holds out her hands. “Look.”

There’s a faint blue glow. I take a wary step back and scent the air. It smells like hot metal, and my instincts warn me to stay away.

“It smells like chains,” I growl.

“It’s called a lasso,” she says excitedly. “My great-aunt’s sister had the power. Apparently it wasn’t very strong, but she could tether a vampire to her will for a period of time. The strongest among us grow wings when we our magic is active.” She shakes her head, grinning. “Good thing I’m not that powerful. I’m terrified of heights. I could never.” The blue glow grows stronger, and my chest squeezes.

The reminder is too much for me, and I take another wary step back. Leah’s face falls. The glow goes away.

“Shit,” she whispers. “I’m sorry.”

“No,” I growl. “Do not be sorry. We must practice.” I blow out a long sigh and roll my shoulders. “This is a reckoning of sorts, slayer. Summon it again.”

At the end of an hour, Leah can hold me with her will for one full second and force me to lift my hand to my mouth.

“Are we done?” She shakes out her arms.

The past hour has been agony, but watching her come into her own eclipses my fear. She is lighter than before, smiling, thrilled to use her power.

I could never take that from her.

“We need more.”

She glowers at me. Sweat drips from her neck and slips between her breasts.

“We need to hold Julian for at least three seconds. Can you get more magic?” If Leah is a battering ram, I am far worse. All my focus is on eliminating the threat of Julian, especially now that his sights are on my mate. The fear of it is a constant presence in my thoughts.

She frowns and lets her eyes drift shut. “Maybe. I feel it refilling, but slowly. It feels like I’m being stretched, like it’s a muscle. I think I can get more if I give it time.” Her lids flutter. “More blood, maybe.” Her grin is cheeky.