“I am aware,” he said condescendingly.
“Well, ya know what? I’m just now ’comingawarethat I can’t trust one word off your slippery tongue. You’re…you’re nothing but a fanged weasel, Stark.”
“Weasel?” he repeated.
“Since we left Leiper’s Fork, you’ve done nothing but lie or hold back the truth.”
“The truth? You can’t handle the truth,” he snarled.
I shook a finger at him. “Don’t you go all movie quotes on me.”
Stark stood, too, and slammed his hand on the table. “That was my line first. Everyone knows humans pilfer our catchphrases: It’s just a flesh wound. You complete me. I’ll be back.”
“Really? Really! That’s your answer?” No apology. No groveling. Just showboating famous movie lines.
“I love you most ardently,” he said.
I couldn’t believe him. The audacity! “Jane? You’re taking credit for Jane?” This man needed to go. “Okay, Stark. Well, here’s a quote for you. Say hello to my little friend.” I held up my middle finger.
His pale blue eyes went wide. “You put that away right now, woman, or so help me, I will—”
“Help? You’re beyond help. Quote by Masie Kicklighter.” I turned to leave.
“Do not dare walk out on me,” he snarled.
“Oh, I’m walkin’, buddy. Because unlike you, I don’t just sit around spewing fancy lies to get what I want. I’m a woman of action, and this gal is leavin’.” I would swim home if I had to.
“As you wish!”
Princess Bride? I seethed out a breath.Last straw, mister!I marched through the atrium, outside toward the night beach, my heels clacking against the paved walkway.How dare he lie to me. The nerve of that man!I’d been all in, ready to trust and spend eternity with him. “Fucking Stark.”
“Hello there.” A dark figure stepped out in front of me.
My eyes pushed to focus on the face of that greasy-haired man.
Uh-oh.“What do you want?” I asked.
“I remember you. You’re the chick from the Flaming Rooster. The one who threatened to put us in a woodchipper.”
I sure had. I’d known what they were and wanted them to leave. “And I remember how you tore a hole in my uncle’s neck. Nice to see you’re still alive,” I said sarcastically.
“I threw myself on the mercy of Montgomery Stark.”
“And?”
“And now I’m forever his slave.” He shrugged.
Was that what Stark had been alluding to just now? “So he couldn’t kill you.”
“You really don’t know our laws,do you?” He snickered.
“Boo-hoo. Guess not,” I sassed back. I never felt shame over ignorance when it came to things I’d had no opportunity to learn. For example, I didn’t know how to drive a race car nor do brain surgery. I couldn’t bake a chocolate souffle or build a skyscraper either. In the case of vampire law, I was still learning. So what?
He stepped in closer. “You can’t kill a vampire who offers total submission and allegiance in exchange for their life.”
“Well, that’s too bad because Stark should’ve turned you into a sad bag of duck dicks to match your twisted ugly face.”
“You know,” he stepped closer again, “I’d watch my mouth if I were you. You’re still easy pickings. Weak and hu—”
