Page 11 of Crimson Shifter
“Quite true,” I said, my fingers sliding through the black silken fur of my panther, shifting over the massive head to the ear that Shadow loves when I scratch behind.
Talon seemed to like it too, because his purr deepened, and for some reason it made my lungs expand, making it easier to breathe.
“I’ve prepared everything in your old quarters,” Mother continued. “I trust you and Shadow will be comfortable there, though I will start leaving more of the doors open so the jungle cat can go explore at her will. I promise you the first time she relieves herself in this home will be her last.”
My fangs threatened to punch out at the threat she delivered to my animal, toTalon, but I held them in. “I assure you, she is well trained,” I said, glancing down at Talon. “She’s nothing if not obedient.”
Talon pulled back his lips just slightly, revealing lethally sharp teeth that I’d seen on Shadow dozens of times as she tore into her food, shredding full steaks in a matter of seconds. For some reason, the sassy look made me smile, and for the first time since touching down on this godsforsaken island, I didn’t feel so alone.
CHAPTER 5
Talon
“Again,” I said through a heaved breath, gripping Cassandra’s hand and yanking her to her feet for what felt like the thousandth time tonight.
One benefit about staying in her family’s estate was that every single room in the mansion was warded by witches so that as long as the doors were closed, no one could hear what was going on inside.
Definitely a suspicious and sneaky requirement for any homestead, but completely beneficial when it came to our circumstances.
I had at least been able to shift into my normal form when behind Cassandra’s locked bedroom door. And thank fuck for it, or else I'd have to stay in that panther form for the duration of this mission, which could take who knows how long.
It’d only been two days since our arrival and already my skin itched from being in animal form for so long. I slept in my regular body, even if that meant sharing the lone bed in Cassandra’s massive allotted quarters.
Not only did she have a luxurious and elegant bedroom complete with a king size bed, bookshelves, and wardrobe, butshe also had three attached rooms, which included a sitting area, a grand bathroom, and a small kitchen.
Unfortunately, that kitchen didn't contain canned blood or even bagged blood. The Zorins didn't allow random humans on their island, and made sure to keep track of everyone they brought in as a feeder. Which meant I hadn't fed since we left the king's residence.
“You’re particularly grumpy today,” Cassandra said, her chest heaving from her rushed breaths. We’d rearranged her entire sitting area, moving the ancient pieces of furniture and tables to the edges of the walls in order to allow space for us to train.
She’d refused at first, but after I told her that she should know how to defend herself in case something happened, she’d finally given in. And honestly, I think she enjoyed having an excuse to take her mind off of what had been a fuck-all of two days. It’d been evident from day one just how fucking awful her mother was, and it’d only gotten worse.
There was no sign of Edward anywhere.
“I'm not in a mood,” I fired back, squaring off with her again on what had to be an original damask rug. “I want you to beat me.”
She rolled those cunning brown eyes of hers, popping two delicate hands on either hip as she shook her head. “You're like a thousand years old,” she said. “You were trained before I was even made. I havenoshot of beating you.”
“You're not wrong,” I said, cocking a brow at her. “But I'm not going to encourage your lack of motivation when it comes to self-preservation. You can't tell me you’re content with everything that your parents kept from you.”
She flinched like my words physically assaulted her, and just the tiniest stab of regret jabbed me in the chest.
I pushed the shit away.
The last thing I needed to do was let my guard down and feelempatheticfor the female who could quite literally be setting a trap for my brothers or my king at this very moment.
After seeing the interaction with her mother and the heavy aftereffects, I doubted it.
My veins filled with ice. Her mother looked down her nose at her own offspring like Cassandra was some disease that needed rooting out, or, just as badly, some tool she wanted to utilize for her own gain.
Before I became a hunter, I’d been born into a prestigious aristocratic family, so I was no stranger to the effects of wealth and power. But my family was nothing like the Zorins. We actuallylovedeach other. Supported each other’s personal aspirations. All it would take wasonemention of my noble bloodline and Cassandra’s mother would likely change her entire attitude, no doubt shoving Cassandra my way for an advantageous pairing.
“Fine,” Cassandra said. “Let's go again.” She lunged, opting for a surprise attack which was wasted on me. I anticipated her move and had her on her back in one second flat. I just as quickly hauled her to her feet again, dipping my head to indicate we start again.
“You're being too obvious,” I said after another five failed attempts to even lay one hand on me. “Any vampire with a fraction of training will see the intention in your eyes before you make the move physically.”
Those eyes in question cut daggers at me.
“I think it's just you,” she said. “I think you've been studying me since the day you met me and that's why you're so easily able to read me. Others have never been able to see through my mask?—”