CHAPTER TEN

"You're supposed to be dead," Claude growled.

"Key words, supposed to be," Alexander pointed out. "I will not die without putting up a strong fight."

"So what, you killed Blake? There is no way in hell you could beat him."

Alexander raised an eyebrow. "No? You underestimate my power, cousin. I feel as if I've worn myself with reminding you."

"Blake had a strategy to get rid of you."

"It looks as if that failed."

"I don't believe that you would kill him."

"I wouldn't on free will, of course. The circumstances though, were different. I was merely acting in self defense and was driven on adrenaline to save my dearest Raven."

"What does your efforts matter anyway? It is now my responsibility to finish you."

"I do not wish to fight you, Claude."

Claude trailed an ice cold finger down Raven's rapidly beating pulse. "Don't be so sure you won't get one."

"Don't do anything stupid," Alexander warned. He could see the hunger in his cousin's eyes and was deeply terrified of what he might attempt.

"I'll give you a choice. You may keep your life in turn for Raven's."

Alexander took a step forward. "I would never be so selfish."

"Take the deal," Raven said in desperation. It was the first time she had spoken since the feud between Claude and Alexander had started. She could feel the tension rising from each party and knew it would only be a matter of minutes before one got killed. She was not willing to let Alexander be the one to suffer.

Alexander's chocolate eyes settled on her own watery ones. "I could never sacrifice your life for mine."

"Don't you suppose you've put her through enough danger to last a lifetime?" Claude sneered.

"Believe me, I know. Raven, that is why I left you. I thought it would guarantee your safety. I thought I was doing right by you. I should have known you wouldn't just sit around and wonder if I'd ever come back."

"I understand," Raven said.

Alexander ignored her and continued. "What happened tonight is all on me. If I had not of left you then we wouldn't even be in Romania. You would not have encountered Blake and almost gotten yourself killed."

"But I am the one who lured him to you!"

"You didn't. He knew who you were and what you were doing at the Bloody Bar. Even if you hadn't spoken to him, he would have still found a way to come at me."

"You're alive now though. That's what is important."

"Oh, just please stop with the pity party," Claude interrupted. "In a matter of minutes I'll have you both dead anyhow."

"You will hurt neither her nor me," Alexander said confidently.

"What makes you so sure?"

"You may be a spiteful man, but you have one weakness that will stop you at anything. You know you could never displease Grandmother."

"Why bring her into this? You have no business bringing her up."

"I adore Grandmother just as much as you do, Claude. I would not bring her up unless I thought it was necessary."

"And why is it necessary?"

"By harming Raven or I would be a disgrace to her. She would look at you and wonder why you turned out to be so hateful."

"She always did love you best," Claude barked.

"You cannot seriously think I was superior to you in her eyes. You know very well she loved us equally."

"You were always treated so much better."

"Perhaps it was because I had more respect for her species than you ever did."

"Just stop," Claude demanded, a tear lingering at the crease of his eye.

"Do the right thing and let us be."

"Claude puckered his lips and let out a long breath. "Fine," he grumbled. "I'm only doing this for Grandmother's sake."

"That is all I ask."

Claude smoothed out his leather jacket and crossed his arms. With a swift movement he made his way past Alexander and through the open doorway. The darkness from outside gathered him up, leaving Alexander and Raven to themselves.

Alexander fumbled with the rope tied tightly around Raven's dainty wrists. Each time he unfastened a knot she sucked in a breath as she winced from the rough texture. Finally the rope came loose and slithered away from them. Raven rubbed at the gashes in her skin as Alexander helped her to her feet.

Raven was feeling lightheaded from the lack of food and water she had absorbed in the last twenty-four hours. She stumbled, Alexander catching her elbow and moving an arm around her waist for support. She smiled up at him and he smiled back. She could feel his arms tighten around her as she slung her own around his neck.

"I love you," Alexander whispered in her ear.

"I love you too," she whispered back.

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