BOOK II of the "Kings and Queens" series. Suited for an audience 18 and older. Read at your own discretion. * * * "Vanessa," I breathed, taking a single step forward. Bad. Fucking. Idea. Without thought, Vanessa landed a low kick to the back of my knees and brought me to my knees. I quickly regained my balance but she was quicker, climbing my back and using all her strength to teeter me until I landed on my back and right on top of her. Right when I was about to ask if she was hurt, she flipped me over with ease, gripped my hair, and smashed my face into the ground. I groaned as a white-hot pain spiked through my forehead and nose. Vanessa had pinned my forearms to the center of my back with one hand, holding a dagger to my throat with the other. I should have seen that coming... But what shocked me were the first words she decided to speak after seeing me. "Who the fuck are you?"