Page 9 of The Vampire Court

“Again,” he says.

I blink and land hard on my ass once more.

Again and again, this goes on until I’m sure I’m covered in bruises. Alaric stands over me, hand outstretched. I swat at it… and miss.

“No thank you,” I say. “I don’t see how bruising my ass is helping me at all. If I’m going to get knocked down, I might as well save us both time and just stay where I’m at.” At any rate, it will save me a few bruises.

Alaric laughs and squats down next to me. It’s a laugh I haven’t heard in… I don’t actually remember how long it’s been. I also haven’t seen that smile, the one where the slightest bit of fang peeks out because he can’t help himself. It’s only now I realize how hard he works to keep his fangs hidden most of the time.

“We will need to work on your reaction time, but for now, we will move on to something different. Come.” He reaches for me, and I clasp his forearm and let him pull me up. “I want you to deflect my attack.”

He demonstrates the attack he used slow enough for me to see every move of every muscle. It’s straight forward and uncomplicated.

I glower. In the hour or so that we’ve been practicing,thisis the move that has taken me down time and time again.

“Now mimic this,” he says, coming to stand at my side. Alaric sidesteps, sweeping his arms in an effortless-looking arc.

I watch him a few times before attempting it. He corrects me as I go, having me practice until I can go through the motions correctly ten times in a row.

Once he’s satisfied with my progress, Alaric has me attempt it while he attacks—at what he callshuman speed—except I can’t even manage to stop him once. My movements, compared to his natural grace, are clumsy and ill-timed. We go through the drill until I’m out of breath and too weak to hold my arms up properly, barely able to swing them in his general direction.

I step back and rest my hands on my knees. “I don’t see how this will help me. I can’t even stop you when you’re slow. There’s no way I’ll survive against a vampire bent on killing me.”

“It will. This is only your first lesson, Clara. You cannot expect to be an expert on your first day. As long as we keep practicing, then you will improve.” He returns to his stance. “Again.”

Before I can right myself, he lunges. I follow through, but my foot catches on an uneven notch on the floor. I stumble and try to catch myself, but my muscles are too weak and don’t respond fast enough.

I catch him off guard, and we fall in a tangle of limbs. The skin along my elbow stings as it scrapes along the rough, stone floor.

Alaric shifts and holds himself up by his arms. His eyes darken, and I can’t help but react. I shift underneath him. He groans and drops his forehead to my shoulder.

“Clara…” My name comes out as a pained plea on his lips. After several heartbeats, he lifts his head. “I think that’s enough for today.”

In a rush of air, he stands, reaching to help me up for the thousandth time. As I steady on my feet, my stomach grumbles from hunger.

“Let’s get you something to eat,” he says. Alaric’s gaze dips to my neck. I can almost feel his fangs pierce my skin again. He, too, needs to feed.

After removing the dagger from the door, he hands it to me. I slip it into my boot as he grabs the torch from the wall. He takes my hand and pulls me close, leading me silently back down the labyrinthian halls.

Tired and weak, I appreciate the peace that has returned between us over the training session. Even the dank underground tunnels don’t bother me.

As we reach the top of the stairs that lead to the servants’ halls, he stops. I look up at him, wondering what could be wrong.

“Would you like it if we went somewhere this evening?” he asks.

I blink. I had expected him to say a number of things, but this is a surprise.

“Where?” I ask, hoping it won’t be more training. My muscles need a full night to recover.

“To the theater.”

I can’t help but smile at the simple question. “Yes, I would like that.”

As long as it is out of this castle, which I can only assume it is. I think it will be nice to spend some time away from this place while we can because there’s no telling what tomorrow will bring.

Alaric takes a step then pauses, turning back to me, his lips pressed into a thin line. “If anyone threatens you while you’re here, do not hesitate to defend yourself. Kill them if you must, but keep in mind that there will be consequences, so do not act rashly.”

“Consequences. You mean I will die?”