Page 3 of A Trial By Blood

He screamed with fury. “Don’t let her leave us!”

“Us?” I shook my head. “She left you.”

Then I felt it, the hum of her power, the vibration of the barrier she’d lifted to conceal herself and the males with her, brushing against mine.

I was all but drained, and Sir could see it. His eyes grew bright, and he laughed as soon as my power collapsed, striding toward me. I didn’t understand why it was so important to me or what this sensation in my chest meant, but I fought him. My dhampir instincts roared forward, taking hold, and I fought with everything in me.

I couldn’t be here, not anymore. I couldn’t be here with him.

The sounds of smashing furniture, of tearing fabric, and shattering glass filled the apartment as Sir fought to dominate me, to force me to submit.

I’d die first.

The words filled my head, coming from somewhere deep inside me, a part of me I didn’t recognize.

He threw me across the room, and I hit the wall, crashing to the carpeted floor. There was blood everywhere. Mine. Sir stalked toward me, a sneer on his lips.

I lay still, gathering what little strength I had left.

Sir kneeled beside me. “Are you done, Ronan? Is this tantrum over with?”

I’d given my loyalty to the wrong person. Sir wouldn’t have that from me, not anymore. He’d bested me, but only because I was weakened. He needed me more than I needed him. I knew that for certain.

I didn’t show or give affection, because I didn’t feel it or understand it. But I knew what it looked like. I’d seen other people express it. I’d seen Luna with her knight.

I lifted my arms, beckoning Sir closer. He was taken aback, momentarily confused. He smiled. “I knew you’d see things my way.” He cupped the side of my face. “You’re confused. Luna confused you, lied to you. We’ll get her back, yes?”

I nodded, lying, and remained still as he leaned in and pressed his mouth to mine, kissing me. I didn’t like the way it felt. I never had. But I let him do it until I felt him relax.

Sliding my hands up his shoulders, higher, I cupped his face like I’d seen on television shows. My fangs tingled, extended—then I jerked his head to the side and buried them in his throat.

I drew deeply, once.

His surprise made him pause.

I sucked on his vein a second time.

He shoved me away, face red with fury. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to give me the strength I needed.

I threw up another block. I could use my power in different ways to create different kinds of barriers. This was the kind I’d loved as a child. I could vanish. I could make entire buildings vanish with me, entire streets, if I chose to. The world around me was still there, but they walked by me, through me, and had no idea I was there.

Still weak, I struggled to my feet and stepped through Sir as if he were a mere shadow. He spun this way and that, screaming my name, demanding I come back, then pleading.

I walked out the door without looking back.

* * *

A month later

I stumbled down the street, not knowing where I was or how I got there. I’d been wandering for weeks. I was weak, starved for blood, for Azel’s blood. My mind screamed at me to find him, telling me that he was the only one who could quench this constant thirst. His blood was poison to me, but I was addicted to it like it was a drug.

I had to fight the need, but I wasn’t sure how much longer I could last. My survival instincts were driving me at this point. Logic, the only thing I understood, was being smothered by my predator’s nature, by the vampire blood that made up half of me.

I spotted a sign up ahead.

Hell Fire.

The sounds of people and music drifted out. A bar.