Page 11 of Blood Day: Part Two

Just like Master Cedric had told me to do in my nightmare.

Chapter3

Cedric

Lily’s formhad improved while I’d been gone, as had her stamina.

Khalid moved in a circle around her and the other female, his expression borderline lethal. He scrutinized every kick and punch, correcting both of them before making them do it again.

And again.

And again.

They’d been sparring for nearly three hours, which was far longer than their usual course time. It showed in the way they were both beginning to lag now.

Lily tripped, nearly falling, but Khalid caught her by the arm and righted her, the touch making me want to growl. However, he promptly released her and took a step back.

“Again,” he said.

Both girls visibly flinched. Then they did as he demanded, executing the movements in near-perfect synchronization.

“Again.”

Prospect One Hundred and Thirty-Nine straightened, her eyes going directly to him. “No, Khalid. I need water. And food.”

My eyebrows hit my hairline. She’d been perfectly obedient since the moment we’d stepped out here, doing exactly what he’d demanded without a single comment. Yet she spoke to him now with an authority that very few others would ever dream of using in his presence.

Khalid paused and canted his head at the female. Then he smiled. “All right,habibi. I’ll give you some sustenance.”

Her gaze narrowed. “Food, Khalid. And water.”

“You’ll swallow whatever I provide.”

She folded her arms. “I’m not a puppet.”

“Wrong, pet.” He grabbed her by the back of the neck and yanked her into him. “You’remypuppet, darling mirage. And you’re misbehaving.”

“So bite me.”

“Maybe I’ll push you to your knees and make you eat Lily instead,” he replied. “Would that satisfy your need for sustenance?”

“That’s not food, Khalid.”

“Some would say it provides life and joy,” he countered.

She sighed. “I’m tired. I’m human. And I need a break. Please.”

His thumb skimmed her pulse. “Only because you said the magic word, my darling mirage.” He spun her around in his arms, his gaze meeting mine. “Evening breakfast tomorrow. Eight o’clock. Bring Lily.”

They disappeared before I could agree or say a word.

Not that I knew what to say.

Becausethathad been unexpected.

“Have you ever heard her speak like that?” I asked Lily.

She stared back at me with wide eyes, her head shaking back and forth. “Is he going to hurt her?”