Page 15 of Deadly Alliances

I swallowed. “If peace with the shifters is what you want, then why did you attack the Dome? Why have you been attacking shifters for decades?”

He released his grip on my shoulders and took a step back. “You think we’re the ones who struck the first blow?” He shook his head. “You’re so new to the shifter world. How could you know our history? No, it was they who started hunting us. There was a time, centuries ago, that vampires and shifters lived separately, autonomous of each other, yet harmonious in our domains. But the adoration of the mortals over whom we reigned gave us great power, and the shifters felt threatened. The Draculs led an army against us, wiping out thousands of vampires. We’ve been battling ever since. But I dream of a world where that’s no longer necessary.”

That wasn’t the way I remembered the story. But I only read the shifter version of history, and there were always two sides.

“And how do you plan to bring peace? Your vampires killed dozens of mer today, and if I hadn’t come out, they would’ve flooded the Dome and killed every shifter inside. Tell me how war ever brings peace.”

Hadrian looked down, nodding and pursing his lips. “Yes, that would’ve been an unfortunate turn of events. I didn’t want to kill them, but every war has necessary casualties. And I would’ve gladly paid that price if it meant getting you back. You see, Arya, you’re the key to the peace I dream of.”

His sapphire eyes bore into me, and for a moment I felt like themost important person in the world.

“M–me?” I asked, putting my hand to my chest and taking a step backward. Did he know about the prophecy? Was it his intention to kill me after all? Was all this just some twisted game?

“Yes. Within your blood lies the key to linking vampires and shifters once and for all.”

“M–my blood?”

And then I remembered what Kendall told me the night he attempted to drag me off to Hadrian. I was the result of a DNA experiment, the one successful chimera. Hadrian thought he could use my blood to create a hybrid: a vampire shifter. He was the reason I was such a freak.

“So that’s what you’re really after? The guinea pig of your experiments? If that’s the case, then why this charade?” I waved my hands at the room around us. “Why not just take my blood and be done be with me?”

After the words came out, I bit my tongue so hard I thought it might bleed.Why not just ask him to kill you, Arya?

“Because I meant what I said about wanting to be a family. If your mother hadn’t gotten cold feet, we would’ve been a very happy family all these years. But I’ve missed out on so much of your life. I want that time back. I want to earn your trust, be the father you never had.”

The question of who my father was had always plagued me. I loved my mom, but I always wondered what life would’ve been like with a dad. Would we have stayed in one place? Lived a normal life? Would I have siblings?

A dad was the longest-held secret desire of my heart. With my mom gone, the concept of a true family was incredibly tempting.And Hadrian was terribly convincing. I couldn’t see the seam in his façade. Could he really be telling the truth? Could the infamous vampire leader really be a bleeding heart deep down?

“And what about my blood?” I asked, my tone noticeably less hostile.

“I do need it for my plan to work,” Hadrian said bluntly. “But I won’t take it from you by force. I want you on my side. I only have one condition: that you never use your powers against me. So long as you abide by this one simple rule, I’ll wait until you offer me your blood willingly.”

The terms seemed fair enough. “And if I never offer it willingly?”

He held my gaze for a moment, and for the first time, I saw whispers of my reflection in his features. He had the same thick black eyebrows, the same sharpness to the bridge of his nose, the same hairline framing his face. There was no denying the family resemblance now that I recognized it.

“I have faith that you’ll come around. In the meantime, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

He brushed past me, opened the door and stuck his arm out, curling his finger in a come-hither motion. I leaned forward, apprehensive yet curious.

A boy no older than eight walked in. He looked like a miniature version of Hadrian—same head of shiny black hair, same dark blue eyes, even carrying himself with the same dignified posture, assuming a sense of nobility. The only difference was that he was cute as button and pink-skinned, and he exuded an innocence Hadrian could never fake.

The boy stood beside Hadrian, who draped his hand over the boy’s shoulder. “This is Alexander Denholm. He’s my son and heir...and your little brother.”

I gasped, staring at the beautiful boy.I... I have a brother?

“Hello, Arya,” Alexander said with a nod of his cute little head. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you for a long time.” He smiled, and my heart warmed instantly to him. Just as with Hadrian, the family resemblance was obvious.

“Hello,” I felt compelled to say back.

Hadrian looked at his son. “Alexander, would you do Arya the honor of showing her around the castle? She’s not yet had a proper tour.”

“Of course, Father,” Alexander said with seemingly well-practiced obedience.

“When you’re finished, report to your chambers for dinner. You’ll both need a hearty meal after such an excursion.”

“Yes, Father.”

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