“And do you have love for her?”
“For Lilith.” His smile was slow, thoughtful. And humorless. “In my fashion. But don’t worry. It won’t stop me from destroying her. Come down, and we’ll see what you’re made of.”
“Two hours’ hand-to-hand, every day,” Cian announced when they were gathered. “Two hours’ weapons training, every day. Two hours’ endurance, and two on martial arts. I’ll work you here at night. King will take over in the daylight when you can train outdoors.”
“We need time for study and strategy as well,” Moira pointed out.
“Then make it. They’re stronger than you, and more vicious than you can imagine.”
“I know what they are.”
Cian merely looked at her. “You think you do.”
“Had you ever killed one before tonight?” she demanded.
“I have, more than one.”
“In my world those that would kill their own kind are villains and outcasts.”
“If I hadn’t, you’d be dead.”
He moved so quickly no one had a chance to react. He was behind Moira’s back, an arm around her waist. And a knife at her throat. “Of course, I wouldn’t need the knife.”
“You’re not to touch her.” Larkin laid a hand on the hilt of his own knife. “You’re not to put your hands on her.”
“Stop me,” Cian invited, and tossed his knife aside. “I’ve just snapped her neck.” He laid his hands on either side of Moira’s head, then gave her a little nudge that sent her careening into Hoyt. “Avenge her. Attack me.”
“I won’t attack the man who fought at my back.”
“I’m not at your back now, am I? Show some spine, or don’t the men of Geall have any?”
“We’ve plenty.” Larkin drew his knife, crouched. Began to circle.
“Don’t play at it,” Cian taunted. “I’m unarmed. You have the advantage. Use it—quickly.”
Larkin lunged—feinted, then slashed. And found himself flat on his back, with his knife skittering over the floor.
“You never have the advantage over a vampire. First lesson.”
Larkin shook back his hair and grinned. “You’re better than they were.”
“Considerably.” Amused, Cian held down a hand, helped Larkin to his feet.
“We’ll start with some basic maneuvers, see what you’re made of. Choose an opponent. You have one minute to take that opponent down—bare-handed. When I call switch, choose another. Move fast, and hard. Now.”
He watched his brother hesitate and the witch turn into him, using her body to shift him off balance, then hooking her foot behind his to send him down.
“Self-defense training,” Glenna announced. “I live in New York.”
While she was grinning, Hoyt swept her feet out from under her. Her ass hit the floorboards, hard. “Ouch. First request, we get pads for the floor.”
“Switch!”
They moved, they maneuvered, grappled. And it was more game and competition than training. Even so, Glenna thought, she was going to have her share of bruises. She faced off with Larkin, sensed he would hold back. So she sent him a flirtatious smile, and when the laugh lit his eyes, flipped him over her shoulder.
“Sorry. I like to win.”
“Switch.”