Page 88 of This Blood that Bonds Us

I was glad Felix and I had buried the hatchet. Or he might have tried to kill me already.

In one fluid breath, I slid from under him and took him in a headlock. Slipping from the wetness of the blood, he struggled to pull me off.

“Good. Keep him down,” Dom said.

Felix stumbled to his feet, and I kept my grip locked around his neck. He attempted to sweep my leg, but I dodged it. Squeezing harder around his throat, I held him down and bit into his arm.

“Alright. Alright. I forfeit.”

Felix fell to the ground when I released him, and I reached out to help him up.

“I think I’m done,” he said.

“Wait, why?”

“Don’t you get tired, Calem? We’ve been going all day.”

Dom interjected. “Thirty-two hours.”

I still had energy left to burn. Every day that past, Ireland got closer. Like the island was physically moving toward me hour by hour. I needed to use every minute to its fullest. Whatever fate had waiting for me, I needed to be ready, and Dom and Felix were helping.

I must have looked deflated because Dom said, “I’ll spar with you. After your break.”

Our numbers had grown. Our once-sparse basement was flourishing with people. Most made no effort to talk to me. They liked Felix and Dom though. Everyone liked them. The Legionwas made up of tiny little friend groups or families all merging for one purpose.

I settled my attention on one in particular. Kimberly had just started sparring. She was faster than me. I couldn’t help but smile watching her with Halina.

I caught the tail end of their conversation.

“Yeah, I like you way better as a vampire.” Halina helped get Kimberly off the ground.

Kimberly grabbed her hand and jumped to her feet. “Me too.”

She must have felt me watching her because her eyes met mine, and she blushed.

My heart kicked my ribs. I had to fight to keep my mind from wandering into places in which I’d pull her aside and do things with her that would deepen that flush.

It was addicting to flirt with her.

Lucky for me, the door opened and a commotion came from the outside hall. Everyone stilled as they entered. Kilian walked next to a woman with brown hair I’d never seen before.

And they were . . . laughing?

“Ah, Aaron. I’d like you to meet Anzola. She is one of my dearest friends. She sits on the council for The Legion. She’s the one who has graciously allowed us to use her home. Anzola has been alive since the first known queen was created. She’s come to train and explore our operation.”

Anzola flashed her teeth in a sultry smile directed at Kilian. Her jaw and cheekbones were sharp, and her olive skin was clear. Her body seemed to be close to Kilian’s in age.

“Never reveal a woman’s age, Kil. You should know better.” She winked at him.

I didn’t know what was weirder: Kilian smiling or them having nicknames.

“Aaron Calem.” Anzola smiled at me with pristine white teeth. “Pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“The pleasure is mine.” I held out my hand, and she nearly took it off with the strength of her grip. I forced a smile despite the ache in my hand.

“Kilian here brought me to see the operation and get a good feel for things in his absence.”

“In case he dies,” Felix whispered, and I inched away from his breath on my ear.