Page 14

Shortage. That was a nice way of putting it.

My teeth ached just thinking about blood, and my forehead broke out in a cold sweat when I thought about the lack thereof. I was not yet born when it happened, but it was a terrible time for my parents. One of scarcity and danger. “I’m sorry to hear that, Kai.”

His eyelashes lowered. “I don’t know if I told you yet, but I think what you’re doing is a generous thing. You could’ve picked your mates from anyone. To use the other leadership clans…I am immensely grateful for the opportunity.”

The rope-like cords in his neck tensed. I frowned at him. “What is it? Is something going on back home?”

A tentative smile appeared. “Nothing to concern yourself with now.” He smiled wider and leaned in. “…Izzy.”

A genuine smile graced my lips. At least I’d gotten him to call me Izzy.

But there was something wrong. I knew it. What clued me was that for the first time, Kai wasn’t his usual happy self. He showed raw emotion when discussing his clan.

“Iona, might you show us the second part?” Theo called out.

Theo’s serious exterior never wavered. I liked that he took his training seriously, but did he never smile or laugh? Or, gasp, have a good time?

I was serious when I needed to be, but I could relax, too. It was important to me.

Alexei sauntered over to me as Kai walked toward the center of the room again. “So, what do you think?” he asked, gesturing toward all the guys.

“About?”

“You know, your options.”

I held the curved blade up in front of us. “You’re my best friend, Alexei, but I’m not going to tell you my thoughts about this. Especially not now.”

“Why? Because I’m curious if I’m going to make the cut?”

My stomach knotted immediately. He saw the change in me and took a step back.

“Alexei…”

He shook his head. “I was just joking around.”

Maybe, but that wasn’t all of it. Not when he looked at me the way he did now, with about as serious of a face as Theo usually shared with everyone.

Before long, he turned and watched Kai as he added the second part of the form to the first so we could practice it in succession.

My mother cleared her throat. I looked over at her and she tipped her chin in the air.

I mimicked her. She used to do that when I was a child when we were visiting important people. She would tell me that acting as if I was brave and belonged would take me a long way. Before long, I would start to believe it.

She was right.

I couldn’t let Alexei’s feelings get to me right now. I had an inkling Kai would be the next to offer himself to me and that was going to be a big decision on its own. Focusing on that was a priority. We weren’t just talking about adding these men as my protectors, they were going to be my mates for life. And life when you were a vampire was a very long time. Years and years. Decades. Even centuries.

If I chose poorly, this could be hell.

Drawing myself up, I watched Kai as he went through the second part of the form. I added it to the first and felt comfortable with it. Progressing through the angles, I spun, maimed, and sliced up my fictional opponent.

Catching the eye of Rafe, I only nodded when I finished the form out of breath and twirling the blade around in my hands. He smiled appreciatively and nodded back before launching into the form himself. I’d already known he was good with blades as that was the chosen skill he decided to show off the first night, but this was on another level. He was methodical, yet smooth. He was probably a sight to be seen in a blade fight.

Kai walked by and commented on a few things he saw that were off as he’d done with all of us. Surprisingly enough, they all took it in stride. A relief washed over me as I watched the interactions. At least we could all agree on one thing, training was important.

Afterward, Kai called us to attention and then told us it was time to try our hand at throwing before we broke for dinner.

Rafe’s eyes blazed a brilliant blue as a few of the guards wheeled out targets for us.