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and you probably haven’t so far. Cass has gotten good at hiding them. But you’re a hunter. You are trained to be astute and eventually you will. So here it is…either agree not to tell your family about us or die. Right here, right now. I will not hesitate to snap your neck right here inside my car. The doors are locked, they’re not coming unlocked no matter how hard you yank on them, and me, my mother and Cass will be gone before anyone finds your body.”  
    He says it so matter of factly that I know he isn’t bluffing. Him revealing what they were was a calculated move. And if I respond any other way than how he wants me too then he will absolutely make good on the threat. I will put up a fight, off principle I won’t make it easy for him, but I know from our bout in the ring that he’s stronger. He will ultimately outmuscle me and without a weapon there will not be a thing I can do to counter it.
    Ugh! I’m disgusted with myself for being caught so vulnerable. I make a mental note to always carry the knives with me, regardless of where I am going or who I am going to be with.
    “Fine,” I grit out. “I won’t tell anybody.” The words taste sour in my mouth. I feel like the lowest of traitors. But I will hold to them anyway. It is not cowardice or fear that makes me. Derek and his threats can kiss my entire ass. It’s the six year old little girl not him that forces me to agree. She doesn’t want to find herself standing over Cassie’s body too. Or worse, being the one to take her life.  
    I was born a hunter, and I will die a hunter. I think about the vow I took. I could kill Derek without hesitation, his mother I could force myself to. But Cassie, a human and innocent like my mom, deep down I know I could not.
    Derek nods. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small switchblade. He slices it across his palm.  
    “Vow it by blood,” he says holding the knife out to me.
    I look at him as if he’s lost his mind, or maybe he never really had it to begin with. “You’re cracked out. Blood vows don’t really work. I am not cutting myself and letting my blood mix with yours.”
      I don’t miss the condescending smirk on his lips or the weighty judgement in his eyes.“Why because I’m a monster ?”
    “No because you’re an ass.”
    He snorts dismissively. It says I don’t like you either.
    I want to hit him. Hard.  
    “For hunters to think they know so much they truly love to be ignorant. Your lot has chosen to forget a lot of things that we remember. Like blood vows working between my kind and yours. It holds both parties to them and makes it impossible for either to break.  
    “Yeah, I believe that. Not.”
    “Yeah, and I give a shit. Not. I only care that you do it. It’s the only way you’re getting out of this car alive.” He pointedly looks at the locked door.  
    “Whatever.” I snatch the knife from him. “I will not expose you or your mother as phoenix. But just so we are clear, I am not afraid of you. I’m only agreeing to this for Cassie. And another thing, I will be watching you. If I find out that you are preying on any person in this town in any way don’t think that you will be safe because Cassie being human will keep me from telling my family about you. I will personally see to it that a silver blade is embedded into your heart. You might be stronger, but I promise I have a stronger resolve. I will kill you.”
    “You can try,” he drawls completely unaffected.
    “I can do a lot more than try.”  
    We engage in a silent stare down. Our eyes remain locked as I slice the knife across my hand and thrust my palm into his.  
    It feels like fire is melting the flesh from around the open wound.
    Derek smirks in mocking challenge. Waiting to deride me for pulling away. I straighten my spine and leave my hand where it is. I don’t blink, I don’t mutter a sound, and I certainly do not let my hand shake from the pain. I remain as still and as stoic as he is.