Page 58 of No One’s Daughter

​I fumbled this time, almost managing to grab it before it slipped through my fingers, my reflexes just a fraction too slow.

​“Again.”

​Another one flew.

Where was he even getting these?

​“Again,” he said. “Come on, Princess, I know you can do better than that,” he said with a cruel edge to his voice.

​I froze.

​“I’m not a princess,” I snapped, something hot flaring in my chest.

​“Again,”

​Another throw.

​Another failed attempt.

​“No,” I said, digging my heels in. This was pointless. I wasn’t made for speed or agility.

​“If you want my help, you’ll do as I say.”

“I don’t want your goddamn help! I don’t fucking need it! And I never fucking asked for it! I’ve been figuring shit out for myself since I was a kid, me being a vampire doesn’t change that. You think you’re funny calling me a princess when you don’t know the first thing about me. My life couldn’t be further than that of a princess,” I scoffed. “Trust me, I don’t need anyone else.”

“Trust me,” he said, tone scathing. “You do need me. I don’t give a shit about your sob story. We all have one. It doesn’t define us and it sure as hell doesn’t stop us from being killed because we’re too stubborn to accept the hand we’ve been dealt and get on with it. If you want to live, and I mean really live, you need to become everything you’re capable of. That doesn’t happen without hard work… or my help.”

“At this point, maybe I’d rather choose death,” I said stubbornly, crossing my arms. Not that it was even the truth, I didn’t want to die but I also didn’t want to be shackled to him.

He shrugged. “Sorry, death isn’t an option, not on my watch.”

“Why do you care so fucking much?” It didn't make sense. One minute he acted like he loathed my mere existence, and the next he was acting like this.

“I don’t.”

I scoffed. “God fucking help me!” I yelled at him. “You’re impossible.”

“Oh yes, sure, beg for the help of your imaginary deity but refuse mine.”

“Oh, you’re offended now? Didn’t realise big bad vampires like you had feelings.”

“I’m not offended,” he scoffed, like the mere thought was disgusting to him. “I’m fucking pissed off because every little thing is an argument with you!”

“Sorry,” I said sarcastically, dragging the word out. “For not being the perfect little mouldable damsel in distress.”

He inhaled sharply through his nose and ground his jaw. “Just. Try… Okay?”

“Fine,” I agreed. I didn’t actually know why I was fighting him anymore. He’d made some good points.

“Great.”

Another throw.

This time I caught it clean.

Anger had sharpened everything—my focus, my reactions. My body moved without hesitation.

“Again.”