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Of course, I had to actively control my natural power on a daily basis The ability to counteract the supernatural powers of others, like Benedict’s lie detection, was an advantageous one, for sure, but I liked to keep the playing field even most of the time, so I normally kept it buried That’s why that ancient hunter was able to blind and poison me, and why my fun little lies appeared on Benedict’s skin But after everything? I may need to let down the walls I built every day to counteract it, and let ainst the ancient threat I never saw co

So on pity

He shifted on his feet, jerking his head “Coet me then”

My heart did a little flip, anticipation flaring along y, coiling it around my fists in tin bursts of purple I rushed toward hiive him a simple little hit to prove my point, because in truth I didn’t want to hurt—

Benedict moved faster than a snake strike One minute he stood all cool and calm, and the next his hand was around lared up at hihtening grip

My powers fizzled, short circuiting like a drained battery I recognized the feeling, the waydrained of life

I hissed at hiave me a cold smile as he released me He stood up, his chest proud and broad as he showed the now standing baby vampires what he’d concealed in his fist earlier

“Ruby dust,” he said, scraping his hands together as he wiped the stuff off his palms

I scra to shake off the Goddess-awful feeling

The baby vampires chuckled from where they stood, now free of their bonds due to the super-fun powder, but Benedict silenced them with a look He dismissed them with a jerk of his head, and they scampered off as Benedict came to stand in front of me

“You cheated,” I snarled

“As if there are rules to follohen it comes to our enemies?”

“I am not your enemy,” I whispered

“Of course not,” he said, his eyes softening “But we have the, and our enemies will treat you as such”

I sed hard, hating that I understood his logic