Page 39 of The Vampire Debt
“What does that mean?” I ask softly.
His eyes slowly come back into focus. “It means,” he says, clearing his throat. “That it is the strongest metal ever made, and one of the few things that can kill a vampire or a demon. We can heal from most injuries, but when cut with night-forged silver, we heal at a human rate, thus when dealt a mortal wound with such a weapon, we will die as a human would.”
I swallow thickly. “Why would you tell me that?”
However grateful I am for the information, I have to wonder why he would reveal such a secret to me, knowing I wish for his death, and why he would ever let me have it in my possession. Unless he is lying, and this is a test.
It’s hard to say.
Instead of answering me, Alaric extends the dagger’s hilt toward me.
I hesitate, then slowly lift my hand and take it, half surprised when he doesn’t resist. There’s no trick, nothing. He only lowers his arm to his side.
“The bargain I propose is this: if you can manage to draw even a single drop of blood from me, then you are free to return home to your family, and I will consider your debt paid in full.”
He will let me leave. My heart stutters in my chest.I can go back to Kitty.All I have to do is cut him. Then I swallow the thick lump in my throat that has formed.
“I cut you and you will let me leave here… just like that?”
“Yes.”
“What if I kill you?”
He raises his brows. “I would rather you didn’t. Drawing a single drop of blood will suffice and then we can both go back to our lives. I will make sure no vampire comes after you or your sister.”
I finally look up to meet his eyes. “What does this have to do with…” I can’t bring myself to finish the question.
“Ah, yes,” he says as though it’s an afterthought. “For every failed attempt, you owe me a single kiss.”
“What?” I ask, entirely dumbfounded. I can’t possibly have heard him correctly. “A kiss? Why a kiss?”
He prowls forward until we are nearly touching again, but he doesn’t go any farther than that. “Because I want to see how sweet that sharp tongue of yours tastes. And because I want you to mean it when you try to stab me through the heart with my own weapon.”
Demons and saints… the things those words do to me right now.
“If I agree to this, then you can’t compel me ever again. I don’t like what it does to me.”
“I will accept that term… anything else?”
I shake my head. “I agree to your bargain.”
“Good, then it is done.”
My veins pulse in anticipation. My tongue darts out to wet my lips, his eyes following the movement. “What will happen if I never try to cut you?”
Alaric shrugs, then moves back. “Then, you will stay here until the day you die, and you will never gain your freedom.”
Chapter Seventeen
Clara
Sweat beadsalong my forehead and drips down the side of my face. Autumn has come in full force and is already being pushed aside for the colder months.
I throw the dagger and it imbeds in the trunk of the tree I have decided to use for practice. Chunks of bark are missing from the weeks I’ve spent trying to perfect my aim, or rather develop my aim. I would be much better at this if I had my bow and arrow instead, or someone to teach me how to properly wield a dagger.
Instead, I must figure this out through my own trial and error. Constantly creating bad habits only to realize once I’ve ingrained them, it is ineffective.
Alaric and I see each other at dinner each night. He doesn’t touch me, as per our agreement, nor does he get close.