Be Still My Vampire Heart(17)

 

"Miss Wallace? Can ye hear me?"

 

She jerked herself from the rump-induced hypnosis. How long had he been talking to her? "Excuse me?"

 

"Or shall I call ye Emma, since apparently ye're better acquainted with me now?"

 

Heat invaded her face. How long had she stood there, ogling his rear end? And good heavens, what was she doing staring at his backside when she could get the full panoramic experience by simply walking around him?

 

He twisted, trying to look at her. "Why have ye strung me up like a smoked ham? Surely we could have a wee chat, face to face."

 

It wasn't his face she was thinking about. "Feel free to talk." She edged slowly around.

 

So far, he hadn't attempted to escape. Did that mean he was human? Hallelujah!

 

Of course, this meant she owed him a big apology. Emma smiled to herself. She could certainly help him get over this.

 

He wiggled like a hooked fish. Her breath hitched. Oh yes. She would be very apologetic.

 

A soft, scraping noise drew her attention. His wiggling must have loosened his knife from its sheath, for it was sliding downward. He doubled over, reaching for his sock. His fingers curled around the hilt.

 

"No!" She ran toward him. With a flying kick, she knocked the knife from his hand. It flew through the air. She landed, then quickly jumped out of Angus's reach. While he muttered curses, she sprinted to where the knife had fallen.

 

"Nay!" he shouted behind her.

 

She dove for the knife, rolled over, and sprang to her feet, the hilt grasped in her hands. She pointed the sharp, seven-inch blade toward him.

 

He was gone.

 

Her heart froze. Quickly she spun about, looking for him. The rope remained dangling from the tree limb, uncut. A crushing sensation squeezed her heart. No hero. No man of her dreams. He'd failed the test and teleported away. He was the enemy.

 

She'd have to kill him.

 

She tamped down the growing ache of disappointment within her. She couldn't afford sentimentality. The battle had begun, and he could see better than she. He was stronger, too, but she had his weapon.

 

She advanced slowly toward the center of the clearing, revolving in a circle to look for him among the trees. The woods were quiet but for the sound of her accelerated breathing. There! Was that him? Yes, she could make out his dark silhouette. The bastard was leaning against a tree with his arms and ankles crossed like it was just another day at the office.

 

She pointed the knife at him. "Now I know the truth about you."

 

He adjusted the folds in his kilt. "And I know about you. Some women will do anything to look under a man's kilt. Did ye enjoy the view?"

 

She scoffed. "That's quite beyond the point. I know you're a vampire."

 

"I know ye're the slayer." He pushed away from the tree. "'Tis time for ye to stop."

 

He meant to kill her, the thought shuddered through her. She widened her stance and prepared for an attack. "Tonight you die by your own weapon."

 

He shrugged. "I died once. Dinna care for it much." He stepped toward her.

 

She raised the knife so the blade was even with his neck.

 

He gave her an annoyed look. "Put the knife down so we can talk. Ye're no match for me in battle."

 

"Come a bit closer and find out."

 

He regarded her silently, then nodded as if he'd reached a decision. "Verra well. I'll give ye a demonstration."

 

She blinked as his body zoomed past her on the right. She spun to keep him in view.

 

He halted on the other side of the clearing. "Ye missed."

 

Vampires were such an arrogant bunch. But she could use his over-inflated pride against him. "I didn't think you'd run like a coward."

 

His brows shot up. "Ye expect me to stand still while ye stab me in the heart?"

 

"I expect you to face me like a man."

 

"So to prove my manhood, I should act like a lamb before the slaughter?" He chuckled. "Ye slay me."

 

Her mouth twitched with amusement. Damn him. Why couldn't she find alive man this charming and attractive? Apparently all the good men were married… or dead.

 

He zipped by her again, but she was faster this time and swatted his rump as he passed by. He laughed and kept dashing about the clearing like a pinball racking up points.

 

"All right, I get it. You can move really fast." Maybe she shouldn't complain. After all, he hadn't attacked her. Yet. But she was getting dizzy, whirling about to keep him in view. Was that his plan—to totally disorient her before he attacked?

 

She halted. His body was a blur as it swept past. "Coward! Be still."