Page 167 of Vicious Knight

Now he’s got me curious. “What do you need to get better for?”

“I’d rather not talk about that.” Unease creeps into his face.

“Then I’m not going to help you.”

He thinks for a moment, then the tension in his face eases. “I got some intel about my family. The people responsible for their deaths.”

“And what kind of people are they?”

“A mixture. But the ones I need to worry about aren’t the good kind.”

“Don’t tell me I picked you to join my elite and months from now you’ll wash up dead somewhere.” I smirk.

“With your help, that might not happen.” He draws in a breath. “You got your retribution by getting the man responsible for killing your family. I just want mine. I want justice too. From all of them. From the weakest to the strongest.”

There’s something psychotic about the way he speaks that grips me. Once again, he sounds like me, reminding me of myself.

I feel inclined to agree to whatever this is, just to keep an eye on him.

The ritual of the Reckoning dictates that I’m supposed to have his back from now on anyway.

“Okay. Training starts tomorrow at five a.m. Don’t be late.”

“Thank you.” He dips his head and grins. “I appreciate it.”

Just then the door opens and Annika walks through.

Her expression dims when she notices Kade. I know she doesn’t like him. She’s never told me but I know and I have a feeling it’s to do with Isabelle.

Isabelle has crushed on Kade for years but nothing has come of it.

To be honest, I wouldn’t want him anywhere near her.

“Annika.” Kade bows his head when Annika gets closer.

“Hi.” She gives him a polite smile.

“Enjoy the rest of your day.” He looks at both of us before he leaves.

When Annika looks back at me I jump off the platform and grab her for a kiss.

“You don’t like my friends.” I nibble her cheek and she giggles.

“I never said that.”

“You don’t have to. Anyway, I missed you.”

“You just saw me hours ago.”

“Like fuck, exactly. Hours. I need you again.”

“Then take me.” She rubs her nose over mine.

“With pleasure.”

I pull her back in for another kiss and hope no one comes down here. I plan to take her right here and if anyone disturbs me, they’re dead.

Epilogue- Annika