Chapter 29
Laurent was right about needing my strength.
I was grateful for my protein-rich breakfast once Hassan began training me.
Sweat beaded my skin, soaking my T-shirt and workout shorts.
Not only did he teach me about my center of gravity, how to find my balance, and how to move gracefully, but he spent an additional hour working out the most crucial self defense tactics for disarming and escape.
Throughout it all, I battled with embarrassment. I knew absolutely nothing about self defense, about using my elbows, or pulling free of someone’s grasp. It was humbling to realize that all my academic achievements meant nothing if I couldn’t protect myself from a basic physical threat.
“I get the point about defending myself,” I panted, stepping away to catch my breath. “But explain why this matters against supernaturals like vampires?”
“Because,” Hassan countered, straightening to stare at me. “You’re feeding from Laurent. Vampire blood enhances everything. Why do you think Red Allure is so popular?”
“You… You know I’m feeding from him?” My cheeks flushed.
He ignored my question and said, “Given that Laurent’s blood is stronger than most vampires, your improved abilities will be that much better. See here? How you moved a few moments ago? That was faster than any human.”
I hadn’t noticed.
“Now, let’s begin again.”
Hassan was calm, collected, and soft-spoken, but he was also firm. The way he matter-of-factly explained my enhanced abilities made me oddly thrilled by the idea of becoming stronger. He guided me, told me when I wasn’t doing something correctly. I enjoyed the way he taught.
It was well past lunchtime when we finished. We departed the gym—which Zola hadn’t shown me on our tour—and emerged through yet another secret door onto the ground floor. Hassan promised we’d do this all over again tomorrow, and continue once we reached Italy.
Vittorio found me as I entered my room. He left lunch on the table while I showered. Laurent was sitting there when I emerged in nothing but a towel. I gasped, nearly dropping it.
Amusement danced across his features, such a contrast to his usual emptiness.
“Don’t mind me,” he said, leaning back, making a show of getting comfortable.
But I caught the way his eyes tracked every drop of water sliding down my skin, the possessive hunger barely contained beneath his casual facade.
I glared before disappearing to rummage around in my closet. I emerged freshly dressed in a pair of leggings and fitted top. Laurent made a humming sound, sparing me a final glance before helping himself to my food. I pretended to scoff, then took a seat, snatching the plate from him.
“I earned this, thanks,” I said, tucking into the veggie stir fry.
“How did it go?” he asked.
“Good,” I said through a mouthful. I told him everything Hassan and I worked on.
Once I was finished eating, we went downstairs. I dropped off the tray and followed Laurent out onto the back lawn. Hassan and Zola were waiting. “Darling,” Zola said, coming over to kiss both cheeks.
I gave her a hug and squeezed extra hard. “Your children are all right?”
“They are recovering, yes. I am sorry that I have been absent.”
“It’s okay.” I shrugged. “Your children are important to you. They should be your priority.”
“All right,” Laurent said, slipping on a pair of sunglasses.
The others were already wearing theirs. I couldn’t help but linger a moment over the sight of him, how good he looked.
“We’re going to test out the limitations of Lily’s ability to control us.
If possible, help her get better at it. When we reach Italy, our rivals will do all they can to undermine this family. ”
I twisted my fingers together. “Will they try to take me? Kidnap me, I mean?”
“Yes.” Laurent stared at me and I hated that I couldn’t see his eyes. “It will be dangerous, but I will not shut you away. I will not hide you from the world. A flower without sunshine will wither.”
I swallowed and nodded.
“Let’s get started,” he said. “We will attempt to capture you and you will use your ability to resist us.”
“All three at once?” My brow furrowed.
“For now.”
“But—“ That was…a lot. Fighting off one of them felt doable. Not all three.
Laurent seemed to read my mind. “If someone tries to take you, I promise there will be more than one of them.”
His matter-of-fact tone sent ice through my veins. This wasn’t theoretical anymore. Laurent truly expected our enemies to target me in Italy.
“Okay?” he asked.
I rubbed my sweaty palms on my leggings. “Okay. Let’s do this.”
They separated and began circling. When Zola shot forward, I wasn’t prepared. She moved quickly, wrapping her arms around my body. I managed a sound, a mix between a gasp and a shriek.
“Fight her,” Laurent growled.
I recovered and ordered her to release me. I was so surprised when she did, that I missed the blur that was Hassan, snatching me up in her place. “Stop!” I ordered, my voice taking on that melodic quality. All three of them froze. Laurent fought free of my hold first, rushing for me.
I couldn’t help the thrill, the surge in my heartbeat as his body collided with mine, as he swept me into his arms. Admittedly, I didn’t tell him to put me down immediately. When I did, he growled, as if also frustrated.
What followed was an hour of them rushing me while I used my voice and any other defenses I’d learned, to stall and escape. They grew more daring, less forgiving, until our training turned into an all out race for my life.
Every order I issued lasted no more than a few seconds on them. Stop. Stay. Back up. Release me. They didn’t get me very far—but they did buy me time.
Anyone watching us probably thought we were playing a bizarre game of tag around the manor grounds, through the hedge maze and the flower beds. The only one who got tired was me. Eventually my gasping breaths made speaking difficult.
“Take a break,” Laurent said at last. I wanted to cry out in relief. “In a real situation, your circumstances will be dire. A three second gain could mean the difference between life and death, but I worry it isn’t enough.”
“I’ll get better,” I promised. “I just need practice.”
He hesitated, then nodded.
Vittorio emerged from the house to deposit a squirming Cinnamon before me. After several long minutes of me trying to calm my breathing, we started up our next round. Cinnamon joined the chase, nipping at our heels.
The sight of her reduced me to hysterics.
Laurent’s arms snatched me, pulling me flush to his chest. Instead of fighting back, I buried my nose against his neck and collapsed into a fit of giggles.
“You’re not taking this seriously,” he growled.
His obvious frustration made me sigh. I kissed the corner of his mouth and his arms tightened.
“Perhaps we call it?” Hassan suggested. “She has worked hard today, sire.”
“Yes, I have,” I pouted up at him. “I deserve a medal for having to put up with you lot. Cinna and I are going to go enjoy a nice long nap, thank you very much.” I straightened, untangling myself from Laurent’s embrace.
“Fine. All right.” Laurent’s gaze didn’t waver as I strode toward my playful pup. I scooped her into my arms, satisfied at the way Laurent’s features softened. I needed to relish these moments, because my cute pup was already getting so big. Soon, I wouldn’t be able to carry her.
“Shall we have dinner together, darling,” Zola asked, coming over to stroke Cinna’s soft fur.
“I’d like that—“
“Dinner will be held in the dining room this evening,” Laurent announced far too quickly.
“He’s no fun,” Zola scoffed. “Won’t even share you with the rest of us.”
“What do you think a family dinner is, Zola, if not sharing?”
Zola merely rolled her eyes. “Come. I’ll escort you back inside.”
Laurent’s mouth opened like he might protest. He snapped his lips closed and sped off into the house. Hassan followed, until it was just Zola and I comfortably strolling through the garden toward the door.
“I am glad of this change in him,” she mused. “Though I did not quite anticipate…this.”
“This? What do you mean?” Cinna squirmed, but I only cuddled her closer.
“I’ve never seen him so…protective? Attached? Soft?” I flushed. “It isn’t a bad thing. Don’t mistake my surprise for anything beyond that. Laurent’s father…”
“Did you know him?”
“No. He was gone by the time I was made.”
“He was a real asshole.”
“Oh, but of course. His memories. You have seen him, then?” I nodded. “Lucky girl. Then you know what has shaped him.”
“His father used to kill Laurent’s creations when he got too close to them.”
Zola faltered. “Bastard,” she hissed under her breath. “It is a difficult thing for him. Laurent doesn’t get close to anyone. He never has. His relationship with me, well, I never found it surprising until I saw the way he interacted with his other children.”
I knew what she meant. His interactions with everyone in the manor were often cold, detached, even distant. He ruled with a firm but fair hand. But he kept himself apart.
“He harbors a fondness for me, yes, but that’s all it will ever be.
Lily, I must warn you—“ She stopped, turning me gently by the shoulders to look me in the eye.
“Be careful, yes? To fall in love with a man like Laurent would be…dangerous. Vampires…we do not feel the way humans do. Our capacity to care for others comes sparingly, if at all. And love?” She sighed, her mouth flattening.
“You don’t think he is capable of it? Love?”
“I wish I could give you that answer. My instinct is no. I have never loved a single soul since becoming immortal. I do not believe he has, either.”
“So this is your way of saying he wouldn’t ever love me. Not that I—I mean—I wouldn’t—“