Chapter 13

                                    

                                          
I like to think I'm in shape, but I'm nowhere close to what Ian thinks I should be. 
My muscles ache as he takes a swing at me with the staff he holds. I brace for the blow with the wooden sword he had given me, feeling my whole bodyweight shift back. "Good," I hear him say. I'm not sure what he says between me trying to catch my breath and the vibration that's still shaking my body. It has been almost two hours of non-stop training, and I'm not sure how much more I can take. I know there is no way I don't radiate suffering, and I'm starting to feel like I'm being punished for something. 
"That should be enough for today." 
Should be? He gathers up the various weapons we've used and places them in the bag off to the side of me before my legs give out and I'm on the ground. Ian bends down beside me and gives me his hand, which I promptly swat away. I'm tired and starting to get hungry again— not a good combination for me. 
I look around, noticing it's starting to get dark. The sun is slowly setting, and the insects are making a debut. It's calming to me, but when I glance at Ian, he is anything but. He's studying the woods near the house, his eyes focused on what, I don't know, but he has the sight of a vampire and can see far away things that I never could. Apparently, the only abilities I have so far are strength and speed, but only in dire situations. I guess it is more like an adrenaline burst if you want to make it scientific. He smiles in the direction he's looking, and I watch as a hawk flies out of the woods. 
"We need to get in," he says calmly, but I can tell something is on his mind. 
I quickly stand, my thoughts on the vile creature I had killed only days ago. We walk into the house from the side entrance leading straight to the second floor. There are several steep steps, and my muscles groan, but it's better this way. I don't want to disturb Roselyn if she is sleeping and I don't need her finding out what Ian is. The less time she has with him the greater chance I have of keeping it a secret. 
I head straight for the shower, making it quick. My stomach growls. I need to replenish what I've lost.
After rummaging downstairs for leftovers, I carry my plate upstairs with enough for two. I've seen him eat before, so I know chicken is in his diet. 
Ian comes out of the shower when he spots me with the plateful of food. "Are you hungry?" His voice is playful even though his eyes are so intense I have to look away. Damn him and his vampire self.
I ignore his question. "I brought enough for you; late night dinner with me?" His eyebrows go up, and I realize how that must sound. "No, no, I meant do you want something to eat?" 
"It's a date." He winks at me, and I notice for the first time he's not fully dressed. How could I miss that? He has a towel wrapped around his lower half. My cheeks burn from embarrassment, not because of the situation, but because I'm starting to think I like him. Maybe this has nothing to do with his vampire charm. Things are getting awkward as I stand, frozen in place, just looking at him. His eyes tell me he thinks I'm amusing by the way they twinkle at me before his lips curl upward.
"I'll see you in my room when you're umm... ready" I quickly turn and leave the scene as if I have just committed some kind of crime. This is ridiculous. I am ridiculous. I've never acted this way before, and I'm determined it's not about to happen now. 
I sit the food on my bed. No, that means we will have to sit on the bed. I throw down a blanket on my floor, going for a picnic vibe, when Ian knocks on the door, leaning against the door frame while holding a bag of blood. A bag of blood? 
"Assassin, you know what I am," he begins to explain before noticing the expression on my face. "I can't live on only food."
I swallow hard. He is a vampire. How did I not see this coming? "Of course." I can feel the color drain from my face. I try, but all I can look at is the blood bag.