Noir

As I stared at the shattered mirror, from behind me Noir stated, "Lyra, there are those who seek your blood. They believe it holds the power to bring back the Cyprians'-an ancient race of vampires thought extinct long ago." Quickly turning from the mirror, I stared at Noir in stunned silence. I hadn't seen him in days, and that's the first thing he can say to me? That I'm being hunted?

"HI, Lyra. How the hell ya, been?" I murmured sarcastically.

Noir crossed his arms and rocked back on his heels. "Hi, Lyra. How the hell ya, been?" He mocked, his just as sarcastic as mine had been.

"Never better," I crooned. "Seeing as how I've been banished, not only from the world, it seems, but also from anyone in this damn hell-hole for the last few days. So, how you been? What ya been up to?" I continued, my voice dripping with derision.

"Oh, just the usual. You know, out saving the world from evil," he stated, mocking my derisive tone.

Voice sobering, he said, "But seriously, Lyra. We have a problem."

Moving his body aside, I walked past him toward the window. Then, standing in front of it, I peered out, murmuring, "And why should I help you? You have treated me worse than a real prisoner. I haven't been allowed to talk or see anyone for three days now. I haven't been outside to enjoy the sunshine in two weeks! Tell me, Noir, what in God's name makes you think you deserve my help?"

Stepping up behind me, he grabbed my arm and swung me around until I was facing him, then hissed, "I brought you here for your safety until we could figure out what was going on. And I didn't ask for your help. I don't need it. You need, *mine*!"

I snorted. "That so? I've been up against vampires before. I can take care of myself."

In the next instant, and before I could react, Noir had me against the opposite wall from where I had been standing, my arms pinned behind my back, and a pair of fangs pressed against my neck." Lightly scraping them against my flesh, he muttered thickly, "Fight me."

When I didn't move, he hissed, "I said *fight* me!"

When I still didn't do as he'd ordered, he jerked me away from the wall, then turning me until my back was pressed against his chest, he snarled, "*I said fight me*!" before sinking his fangs into my throat.

I let out a roar, twisting my body and slamming my elbow back into his gut. The impact sent a shockwave through my arm, but I managed to dislodge him enough to free my hands. Gripping his shoulders, I spun around, trying to put some distance between us. His lips were stained with my blood, and his eyes were wild with a hunger that was both terrifying and arousing.

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But before I could move again, he was on top of me, as pinning me to the floor, he sunk his fangs into my throat again.

I let out another cry, my body thrashing beneath him. Blood flowed freely from my neck, dripping down to the floor and pooling around us.

Noir growled as I bucked against him, his grip tightening. "That's it," he muttered, his breath hot against my ear. "Fight me."

I felt a surge of adrenaline course through my veins, and with renewed strength, I twisted my body, trying to throw him off. He didn't budge. His weight pinned me down, his fangs still embedded in my throat. "That's it," he growled, his breath hot against my skin.

I felt a surge of anger, fear, and exhilaration. I twisted my body again, harder this time, using all my strength to throw him off. With a guttural snarl, he released his grip on my throat, giving me just enough room to maneuver. I rolled away from him, coming up onto my knees.

Noir staggered to his feet, his face flushed with bloodlust. I knew I had to finish this quickly. He lunged toward me, fangs bared. I ducked under his outstretched arm, and then, with a powerful thrust, I rammed my elbow into his side. It didn't phase him. Instead, he came at me again.

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Suddenly feeling I was fighting for my life, I threw everything I had at him, including my magic. But he blocked everything I had to give.

Panting, I lunged again, but with inhuman speed, he spun around and grabbed me by the throat. His grip was like steel, cutting off my air supply. I struggled futilely, kicking and clawing at his arms, but it was no use. He lifted me off the ground, dangling me above the bloody pool that had formed on the floor. His fangs glinted in the dim light as he lowered his head, intent on finishing the kill.

But just as his fangs were about to pierce my skin again, he stopped. His body tensed, and his eyes flickered, then he suddenly released me.

I fell to the floor, gasping for air.

"You're good, Lyra. But not good enough to beat the Cyprians'," he growled.

I stared up at him, breathless.

"You know how I know this? Because I am one," he snarled.