Chapter 15

I kissed Vance,and he froze in place. Just for a second—an eternity where I got to wonder if I'd fucked up—then his mouth slanted over mine, seducing me, teasing me, before abruptly ending the embrace.

I opened my eyes to see him standing a few paces away, scowling. "You shouldn't have done that."

"Seems to me you enjoyed it." Evidence of his erection bulged against the fabric of his pants.

"Of course, I enjoyed it, but I told you before, I can't act on my attraction for you."

"Because of Cain." I sighed and rolled my eyes.

"I'm sorry."

"So am I. What if Cain never makes a move?"

"Kiss him like you just did me and I guarantee he won't stop."

My lips quirked. "I don't know if I'm brave enough for that." Cain didn't have an attitude that invited a soft surprise kiss.

"He wouldn't hurt you."

"No, he'd just tell me I'm whiny." I pouted.

"Only because he cares."

"He's got a really strange way of showing it."

"He might act gruff, but that's part of how he handles life."

"By being a dick?"

A reluctant smile tugged at Vance's lips. "Never said it was the best method."

"If he rejects me, are you still going to blow me off?"

"He won't reject you." On that, Vance sounded certain.

It led to me grumbling, "Getting laid shouldn't be this complicated. In these modern times, you should both be seducing me."

"Taking turns?" said Vance with a grimace.

"Where's the fun in that?" I teased. "I'm talking about a threesome. Both of you and me at once." Probably the boldest thing I'd ever said out loud. The most titillating too. I'd read the books where the heroine didn't have to choose and got both the guys chasing her. It sounded crazy sexy. "It would solve the problem of who gets to be in my bed, don't you think?"

His jaw dropped and damned if he didn't blush. "I don't think so."

"Spoilsport. Imagine the fun we could have."

"Um, we should head back to the house."

"But I haven't hit the target yet," I reminded, wagging the gun he'd given to teach me.

"Oh, you did," he muttered. "Let's go."

"Fine. I could use a cold shower," I complained, to which he coughed.

We encountered Cain standing outside the house with arms folded over his chest, the perpetual glower on his face. I couldn't resist being a brat. "Hey, Grumpy. What's got your balls in a twist?"

"Nothing," he uttered in a low, tight voice, and I had to wonder if he'd seen me kissing Vance. If he didn't like it, then maybe he should step up.

"Lighten up. It's a beautiful day." The sun shone. The birds sang. No demons to be seen.

"Cain was born serious," Vance confided.

"Not all of us feel a need to have a stupid grin plastered to our face," countered the big man.

"How about not looking like you want to murder everyone?" I arched a brow. It did nothing to cure his scowl.

"Ready for your lesson?" he bit out.

"You mean a schooling in how inept I am in all things even mildly sport-related? Sure. But I warn you right now, I take no responsibility for any damage I might cause."

"As if you could hurt me," scoffed Cain.

"Have fun." Vance waved before heading inside, leaving me alone with Mr. Grumpy.

"Where are we going to practice?" I asked.

"Not far. We just need an open area." He pointed to the lawn in front of the house, and I couldn't help but make a face.

"Must we showcase my ineptitude to everyone?"

"Whining already?"

I pursed my lips. "More like not wanting to embarrass myself."

"Nothing embarrassing about learning."

"Says the guy who probably mastered the scythe from the moment he put his hand on it."

"I was good," he stated with no hint of modesty.

"I'm the girl who managed to get hit in the face by the volleyball in gym class so many times that the school banned me from playing."

"You obviously had a bad teacher then."

"Mr. Garrett had no use for a short girl with no stamina or dexterity."

"The nice thing about a scythe is it works well even with beginners. Swing and cut." He waved his as we walked away from the house.

"Would it hurt Moloch, do you think?"

"I can't see why it wouldn't, seeing as how bullets penetrated his skin."

"Penetrated but didn't really slow him down." Moloch had appeared surprised but not really hurt. He'd easily managed to shield and then escape. I pulled out my shrunken scythe and shook it to extend it to full size. "I doubt Moloch will let anyone get close enough to try and take a swipe. Even if we did get up close and personal, he's got that stupid shield."

"I'm sure we'll find a way." His confidence didn't rub off.

"Do you ever get scared?" I suddenly asked.

"No."

"How is that possible? I mean you've faced demons and monsters and been in deadly peril. You mean to tell me you never feel fear?"

"Fear of what? Dying? Everyone dies." He offered a matter-of-fact reply that didn't satisfy.

"Yes, people die, but most would prefer it happen when they're old and pass peacefully while lying in bed, not because they've been chewed on by a demon."

"If you want to live to a ripe age, don't get eaten."

My lips flattened. "Easy for you to say. Not all of us have your mad skills or strength."

"I don't know what you want me to tell you. I fight because if I don't people will be hurt. I don't fear because, what's the point?"

"So nothing scares you ever?" I stressed the last part, thinking about what Vance said, about how my being helpless and injured bothered Cain.

"Fear is a waste of time, as are these questions. It's like you want to annoy me."

"Nothing new there," I muttered. To think Vance thought I should plant a kiss on Cain. How would he respond? The Cain stalking by my side didn't seem the type to soften because I pressed my lips to his.

"Where should we start?" I asked, whirling my scythe like a baton just to annoy him.

His lips pressed into a line. "Attack me."

"Are you sure you want me coming at you with a sharp object?"

"You're assuming you can get past my guard. Hasn't happened yet." He smirked.

Cocky fucker. I yelled as I lunged and swung. I stumbled as he easily shifted out of the way. I recovered and eyed him warily.

"You move fast for a guy your size," I taunted to throw him off his game.

He actually smiled. "Don't let my size daunt you. Yes, I'm big and can be fast when it comes to certain situations. However, that said, I also know when to take it slow." He purred the last bit, and I gaped.

Had Mr. Grumpy just tossed me a sexual innuendo?

He reached out and tapped my scythe. "Pay attention."

"Yessir." I gripped my scythe and eyed him intently before feinting left then right.

He easily blocked me.

"You'll have to move faster," he chided.

I tried.

And failed.

I huffed, and my grip got sweaty, but I kept attacking. Swinging, lunging, lashing, dodging. I never once got close to Cain, so it surprised me to hear him say, "You should do okay in a fight."

"Really?" I panted, leaning on the handle of my scythe. "I never even got close to you."

"Because I'm the best there is. That said, you weren't horrible. Against a demon or two, you should survive."

"Gee, that's reassuring," I drawled.

"Did you think you'd become an expert in a day?"

"No." But I'd kind of hoped. After all, in the books heroes instinctively knew how to move.

"Again." He waggled his scythe in my direction.

"But I'm tired," I pouted, the sheen of sweat on my body making my clothes stick.

"A demon won't care. Again."

We began sparring once more, my strikes getting sloppier as fatigue sapped the strength from my muscles.

Then suddenly I wasn't the one on the offensive. Cain began advancing, tapping and slapping my blade, pushing me back. I huffed and felt my frustration mount as he made a mockery of my supposed gains. My attempts to block only barely kept him from slicing me open. Worse, I knew he held back.

The last straw—coupled with my increasing frustration—came to a head when he knocked the scythe from my grip. Annoyance heated my veins, and I yelled, "Enough already. Stop."

He froze in place.

Literally. Only his eyes moved, and they appeared confused.

"Cain?"

He exhaled but didn't say a word. His body didn't move, each muscle tensed, even the ones holding the scythe inches from me.

I put a hand on his forearm and found it unnaturally rigid. "Oh shit, I'm sorry. I don't know what I did," I muttered. I'd somehow frozen him in place. It had to be magic. But how did I undo it?

I glanced back in the direction of the house. Should I run to fetch someone? That would mean leaving Cain alone and vulnerable.

Perhaps it would wear off. "I'm going to pinch you and see if that snaps whatever is going on." My fingers gripped the skin of his forearm and squeezed.

Nothing.

I placed my palms on his chest and muttered, "Un-freez-io."

Nada.

I slapped his body and yelled, "I release thee from my spell."

Still stiff.

Poor Cain. He might not be able to move or speak, but his eyes conveyed volumes. Irritation mixed with mirth? He thought this was funny?

Given his vulnerable state, and the fact I still had Vance's suggestion running through my head, I did what any heroine in a fairy tale would do. I grabbed hold of him and climbed his tall ass. I know, not the sexiest thing, but I did it for a good cause: Getting my lips to align with his.

I could see the puzzlement in his gaze a second before I closed my eyes and pressed my mouth to his.