Page 76 of Bite The Terror That Feeds

“I’ve fought the Ethereal many times. Whether it’s here or there, it makes no difference.”

She looked away. “No.”

“I wish you understood exactly what you’re fighting for. A part of me wants to let you go just so you can learn the truth of your kind.”

She turned to look at me again. “You’re wrong.”

“For your sake, I wish I were.”

She stared at me with her almond-shaped eyes, green like a lush forest, intelligent and fiery. She still wore her armor, the curves of her body hidden by heavy plates. There was so much more underneath her clothing—and I would give anything to explore it.

“I’ve told you the truth about your kind, but you’re still unmotivated to aid us. I offered to release you in exchange for entry into Evanguard. I have one more deal to offer, and if you don’t take that, there will be no more deals. My brother will come in here and do what he does best to uncover all your secrets. I’ve intervened out of both attraction and sympathy, but as the leader of these people, I can’t continue that generosity.” I knew I had her attention because her eyes were focused the way they were in battle, like if she blinked she would miss a dagger pointed at her throat. “You. Me. One week.” I felt the tension in my jawline, the way I expressed nothing in my visage, but the flames of excitement burned in my stomach.

Her reaction was as hard as stone.

I dreaded her rejection, dreaded the answer I didn’t want.

“And you’ll let me go?”

The flames burned a little hotter, a little higher. “Yes.”

“You’ll just let me walk out of here?”

“Yes.”

“You expect me to believe that?” she asked, her beautiful face marred by her furrowed eyebrows.

“I’m a man of my word.”

“But you are no man.”

“I’m a king who abides by honor.”

“You’re not Kingsnake, King of Vampires and Lord of Darkness.”

“But I’m King Cobra, King of the Mountain.”

She clearly recognized my title because she stilled.

“Is that a yes?”

She withdrew her gaze and looked at the stone wall.

“You’re attracted to me.”

“You’re full of yourself.”

“I am,” I said. “But you aren’t denying it.” I waited for her to look at me again, to hold my gaze as she agreed.

She finally turned her head and regarded me. “If you lie to me, I’ll kill you.”

The smile moved on to my lips. “I wouldn’t lie to you, baby.”

“And don’t you dare call me that.”

“I’m not making that promise.”

“Then no deal.” Her eyes were sharp like the daggers she’d thrown at me.