Page 14 of Deadly Alliances

“Whatever security they would have wouldn’t be for potential outsiders trying to get in—Hadrian is too arrogant to think such a thing would ever happen,” Kai said. “No, it would be for those already within his walls. Vampires aren’t the most trustworthy creatures, and Hadrian would absolutely want to keep tabs on his followers to ensure total obedience.”

And to punish those who disobey, which is why we’re here in thefirst place.

“Not to mention the hundreds of humans they have living under their roof—or floor, most likely,” I added. “Hadrian would undoubtedly take every precaution to ensure they stayed in line.”

Janette frowned and nodded, casting a worried glance down the row at Shea. Good, at least I wasn’t the only one. If Shea succeeded in enrolling at that godforsaken place, she’d be watched constantly. I couldn’t help but doubt that this plan wouldn’t backfire.

But I kept my thoughts to myself. After all, we couldn’t do nothing. Julian and Arya were depending on us, though Arya didn’t know it yet. I had to believe in Shea, and I had to make peace with the fact that, once she entered those doors, I couldn’t protect her.

Chapter 7

Arya

“Good evening, Arya. May I come in?”

Hadrian.

Though I’d been expecting to hear that voice for hours, it still quickened my pulse as it resonated from the other side of the door. The fact that a few inches of metal sat between us offered little solace.

I swallowed, attempting to recover, to build courage. “Would it stop you if I say no?”

“Of course. This door won’t open without your direct consent, and contrary to what I assume you believe, it’s framed with copper, and as such, is impenetrable to vampires. You can stay in that room by yourself for as long as you desire. However, you are only mortal, so you will eventually starve.” He paused. “I have no intention of leaving until I’ve spoken to you, and I can wait all night.”

I perched on the edge of my bed, rooted by indecision. I was pretty convinced by now that he wasn’t going to hurt me. He’d had ample opportunities to do so, and he gave me this gorgeous suite rather than a dungeon cell.

But even assuming he did just want to talk, I didn’t want to hear what he had to say. He was the notorious vampire villain who was to blame for the attack on the Dome, the attacks that almost killed Letti and Tobias, and the attack thatdidkill my mom. Whatever words came out of his mouth were guaranteed to be lies—or laced with venom. Either way, I wasn’t interested.

But Iwasgetting hungry. Would a school for vampires even have food? How long could I hole up in this lavishly-furnished prison? Especially since it became clear after Kendall’s visit that sleeping here was going to be just about impossible.

Finally, I decided to get it over with. I crossed the room and opened the door just enough to look out. He was alone, dressed in a fancy black suit and shoes that outshined his glossy, marble-like eyes. He smiled at me, the kind of smile that could disarm a high-security vault. My chest warmed, but I shook it off, reminding myself that charming people was what vampires did, and that I could never let my guard down around him, or any of them.

I opened the door all the way, planting my hands on my hips as he strode into the room. Closing the door, I kept him in sight the whole time, scowling as he made himself comfortable at the foot of my bed.

“What do you want with me?” I asked, folding my arms.

With his knees apart, he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs and lacing his fingers together between them. “I know this will be hard for you to believe, but all I want—all I’ve ever wanted—is to have the father-daughter relationship that was stolen from me.”

I snorted loudly and rolled my eyes.

“It’s the truth,” he said with a shrug. “Your mother, no doubt, spent your whole life turning you against me, but I’ve spent your whole life trying to get you back. Both of you.” His brows creased, making his expression heartwarmingly vulnerable. I could almost believe that he truly cared.

“Is that why you killed her?” I shot at him with every ounce of acid I could inject.

A red spark of anger flashed in his dark eyes. “Idid not kill her. The fool I sent to fetch you both did, and I can assure you he has beenthoroughlydealt with.” The look on his face was the epitome of deadly, and for the first time since I’d handed myself over, fear of him flooded me.

I pulled my gaze from his face. I had to. Otherwise, I’d be paralyzed by that fear. I had to continue playing the rebellious teenager because, if I gave in to the fear I knew Hadrian had earned a thousand times over, I’d be useless.

“So you think you can force me to abandon everything and everyone I care about and we’ll just start fresh and be a happy family?” I kept my eyes down as I spoke, not yet ready to look at him again.

There was a rustle of fabric as he stood, and from the corner of my eye, I saw him come toward me. I forced myself not to flinch.

“And what was it that I forced you to leave behind?” he asked, now standing less than two feet from me. “Young Kendall tells me you weren’t quite welcome there, that the mer refused to accept you and made your life miserable.”

Hadrian’s insight into my life caught me off guard, and I couldn’t help but look at him with surprise. He seemed to enjoy that, satisfaction tugging at the corners of his lips underneath those deceptive eyes.

“The mer were less than welcoming, yes, but I still managed to make true friends outside my species.” I thought of Ashlyn and Niko, and even Tobias, and a sting pierced my heart. But I kept my expression unwavering. “Because you stole my mother from me, they were the only family I had left, and now you’ve taken that from me, too.”

His hands were on my shoulders in a flash, and I did jump thistime. “Ilovedyour mother.” The sincerity in his voice stunned me. “Zaia was my match. We had the same goal—to create a lasting peace between all species of supernaturals. It broke my heart the day she ran away, and her death wounded me as greatly as it did you.”

---