Page 62 of King

That only made her stomach clench harder. She caught Joey watching her, suspicion growing in his eyes, and she turned back to Slade with determination. “Is this about my blood?”

Slade exhaled slowly. “It is.”

“Joey has the same blood as me,” she said firmly. “So, I think he should hear this too.”

A small part of her wanted to protect him from whatever this was, but she couldn’t treat him like a little kid. He was an intelligent, resilient teenager, and if something was happening with their blood, it could affect him just as much as her.

Slade shook his head. “Actually, it’s not the same.” His brow furrowed deeply as he looked at her. “Yes, you both have RH-null blood. But what happened with you, Amara?—”

“What?” King’s voice cut through the air, sharp and demanding.

Slade ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident. “I don’t even know...and yeah, that pisses me off. Whatever was used to turn her has everything to do with why her blood is reacting.” He sighed heavily. “What I saw your blood do under a microscope, I’ve never seen anything like it. Your blood binds cells together, which would explain Joey’s bone alignment and accelerated healing. But it also attacks anything foreign. Joey’s blood doesn’t do that, and I doubt any other person with RH Null-type blood will either.”

“Turn her?” Joey’s voice was hesitant, but there was something almost wary in the way he said it. His gaze snapped to her. “Turn you into what?”

“Into a half-breed,” King answered before Amara could.

Joey’s eyes widened as he stared at her. His expression shifted from confusion to realization in an instant. “That’s why your one eye changes.” He swallowed hard. “You didn’t leave out of town for work, did you? It’s because you were changed.”

Yeah, the kid was smart. Amara’s chest ached. She hated lying to him. Hated that this was how he had to find out.

“I’m sorry we lied to you,” she said quickly, her voice pleading for understanding. “It was to keep you safe.”

Joey’s gaze flicked between her and Slade, his mind clearly racing. His voice was quieter when he asked, “Is she going to be okay?” His fingers curled into fists at his sides. “I remember when all those half-breeds were getting sick and dying.”

The slight shake in his voice nearly shattered her.

“She’s fine,” Slade reassured him. “We’re keeping a close watch on her.”

Joey exhaled slowly, some of the tension easing from his shoulders. Then, to her utter surprise, a smirk tugged at his lips. “Dang, Amara. You’re a badass with powers now.”

She let out a small, wobbly laugh, shaking her head. “Nah. Same old boring Aunt Amara.”

“Right.” Joey snorted. “Because boring people totally have super blood.”

Slade cleared his throat, drawing their attention. His face was unreadable, but his eyes were sharp, studying her. “Amara, I’d like to send samples to some trusted friends who specialize in blood.” He hesitated as if waiting for her reaction. “Do I have your permission?”

She bit her lip, considering. Then she nodded. “Sure.” But something nagged at her, and she frowned. “Dr. Winston said my blood could save lives. Is that true?”

Slade's face darkened the moment she said it, his entire demeanor shifting.

“He was told not to approach you about this,” Slade muttered under his breath, a rare edge of anger in his tone. He cursed low, shaking his head. “But if what I saw is any indication, he might be right. Your blood is... extraordinary.”

Amara exhaled, her mind spinning.What the hell am I?

Joey, on the other hand, just grinned. “Am I gonna have to start sleeping with a garlic necklace?” He shot her a teasing look, fighting back laughter.

Amara groaned, rolling her eyes. “Shut up.”

“Teenager blood is the worst. I wouldn’t recommend it.” King looked at her with a grimace on his face.

“What?” Joey gasped.

King chuckled, shaking his head as he moved to help Joey into the wheelchair a nurse had left.

“Come on,” Amara said, grabbing the wheelchair's handles. “Let’s get out of here.”

As she pushed Joey toward the door, she felt King’s hand settle gently on her lower back—a silent reminder that she wasn’t alone in this.

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