A chill went through me as I listened to his story. “Who was your target?” I held my breath, waiting for his answer.
“You, Ceyla. You were my target. It’s hard to kill someone when you observe them long enough to realize that they’re innocent and completely mesmerizing.” He took my hand and kissed the back of my knuckles.
I smacked his arm. “Why didn’t you tell me this earlier? Hell, why didn’t you talk to me sooner?”
He snickered and shook his head. “You weren’t ready to see yourself the way I see you. You needed to find the motivation and the confidence to be smart like your mother, bold like your father and fearless like the vampires who pledged their lives to your family.”
Surprised by his wisdom, I wanted more than anything to be the person he spoke of.
Embarrassed by his perception of me, I shrugged. “You could’ve a least helped me fight.”
“I could have, but you needed to fight your own battles to earn their respect; otherwise, no one would follow you. Besides, you’re extremely sexy when you’re punching people in the balls and it turns me on like nothing else can.” He ran his knuckles down my chest between my breasts. “I’m not the guy who will tell you how amazing you are, Ceyla. I’m the guy who will kill your enemies to prove how much I love you.”
Heat slithered through my stomach and down my thighs. Staring into his intense eyes, I saw the future of the Sabourin Coven unfolding before me with Declan leading the charge.
Running my finger down his muscled chest, I smiled. “That’s the sexiest thing anyone has ever said to me.”
He smirked and motioned towards the door. “Shall I prove myself to you once Adriel makes his grand entrance?”
I licked my lips and let out a breathy sigh. “Bring me Adriel’s head and I will make you my general.”
He leaned in to lick my lower lip and sighed. “As you wish.”
The door broke free of its hinges and Declan leapt into the air. He ran across the desks, jumping over battling vampires until he reached the first goon. He let out a battle cry that almost made me come.
He drove his stake into the first goon and ran through the embers and ash of his victim to stake the second goon. Watching him move was poetic. His strength was equal to his grace and speed. I had never seen a warrior like him before.
Flipping through the air, he was careful to stake only those who worked for the school or had proven themselves to be firmly in the Mielcarek Coven.
I shook my head and reminded myself that the fight was just getting started.
Grabbing the last stake from my leg, I turned and slammed it into Grigori, a Mielcarek loyalist to my right, before heading for the front of the room. I jumped onto a desk and ran to stop Behlan from hitting Declan with a stun baton.
I kicked out my foot and caught Behlan in the side of the head, sending him to the ground. He dropped the baton, which I quickly picked up. “You have one chance to convince me not to kill you.” I held the baton an inch from his leg.
Behlan held up his hands. “If you don’t kill me, my coven will. Think this through, Ceyla. You’ll never get past Adriel.”
I smiled. “I don’t plan on getting past him. I plan on going through him.” I hit him with the stun baton to subdue him before driving my stake into his heart and dusting him.
He was right about one thing. The Mielcareks would never stop coming after me if I escaped.
Hearing someone shouting behind me, I dashed into the hallway to see Landon sliding under Declan’s stake. Landon’s wide eyes implored me to help him. I couldn’t tell Declan not to hurt him or leave Landon unscathed; otherwise, someone would figure out that we were on the same side. He would be of no use as a spy.
I watched Declan spin around, ready to stake Landon through his back. Throwing the baton at Landon, I mouthed the word, “Sorry.” Thankfully, the baton hit Landon and he fell before Declan could stake him.
Declan looked up at me, confused.
“Landon is the least of our problems. We need to neutralize the other teachers and Adriel’s men. There’s also Silas to worry about.” I motioned for Declan to follow me.
Declan glanced at Landon for a second before he nodded and ran to catch up with me.
“Adriel wasn’t with the guards I killed. He’s probably in hiding. Do you have an actual plan of escape, Ceyla?” He appeared amused by my impromptu rebellion.
“Kill everyone we don’t like, find the keys and run.” I stated my plan with a straight face, though I knew it sounded insane.
He took a second to consider the plan and finally shrugged. “Works for me.” He suddenly took off and sprinted ahead to jump into a fight near the men’s dorm.
Hearing footsteps behind me, I turned and swung at whoever was sneaking up on me.
“Ceyla! It’s me.” Kayden jumped back, dodging my stake.
“Sorry. It’s too chaotic to figure out who I’m killing. Is everything ready?” I held his hand as I watched Declan tear through a group of loyalists attacking my Bitten.
“Yes. I’ve used my charm to convince the Bitten and anyone else who hates the Mielcareks to follow you. Fights are breaking out all over the school.” He reached over to stick his hand inside my bra to leave me a little present. “I see that your hunch about Declan paid off.”
“Oh, it paid off. Declan
