Page 70

Because there’s no future.A princess like her didn’t want more from him. He didn’t want more from her. So why couldn’t he just walk away?

“Where did you learn to move like this?” Kosmina exclaimed. Then another thud sounded. “You’ve impressed me.”

Silt’s hands clenched, and the sand in his pouch churned.

“Lots of practice,” a male said.Xodin?Fucking Xodin? “But I think you are simply a natural at this.” A natural!

“Time for another go, demon.”

Xodin’s hands on her . . . making her moan . . . his wings wrapped around her body . . .

Enough.Silt backed up a step. With a yell, he booted in the door. He launched himself at Xodin before the male could defend, and they went flying across the room.

“What are you doing?” Kosmina cried.

Before they crashed into a wall, Xodin sculled his wings and changed the trajectory. So Silt swung a fist with all the wrath inside him.

Xodin’s head whipped around, wings juddering.

“Stop this, Silt!” Kosmina’s voice sounded far away against the pounding of his heart.

He dimly noted the two were dressed. Had Xodin been training with her? Atop a table were maps and a pitcher of blood next to a mug of demon brew. How godsdamned cozy.He unleashed another hit.

Xodin growled, horns and fangs lengthening. “Though violence is forbidden, I will defend myself! Your next hit will be your last, sorcerer.”

“No violence? But you got an exception to train in this room, right? So let’s do this.”

Kosmina snatched a sword from a nearby scabbard and rushed between them. “Enough! What is wrong with you, sorcerer?” When Xodin extricated himself from Silt’s grip and backed away, she told the demon, “I can handle him. Please go.”

He swiped blood from his lip. “I don’t want to leave you like this.”

“I’m fine”—she twirled her sword—“but I’m about to blister his ears.”

“Very well. Then I’ll let you have at it. Tomorrow, princess?”

“Unless Enti succeeds with my weapon before then.”

“Exactly. It might be soon.” Xodin knew the weapon wasn’t possible.

Seeing the demon dissemble with such ease made Silt a little less proud of his own lies.Want nothing in common with that wastrel.

Giving Kosmina a courteous bow—and Silt a rude gesture with one wing—Xodin turned toward the rapidly repairing door.

Silt stayed on guard, gaze locked on the demon until the door shut behind him, then he rounded on her. “How much time have you been spending with him?” Her eyeshadreddened—which just upped Silt’s agitation.

She glared. “That’s none of your business. What gives you the right to attack my friend?”

“Xodin’s not your friend. He’s using you.”

“Using me? By going over maps of Nightside, bringing me updates on the weapon, and helping me prepare my body for battle? How could he?”

“Battle’s not the only thing he wants to prepare your body for. He’s seducing you.”

“Don’t be absurd.” Then she thought for a moment, glancing at the door with interest. “Do you really think so?”

Venting that wrath, Silt snapped, “You’re not Xodin’s. You’re not the Gravewalker’s. Vampire, you belongto me.”

“Belong? Are you hearing yourself?” Silt’s behavior harkened back to the time in the cave when he’d been so crazed. A mere week ago!