Page 105 of King

King’s stomach tightened. There was always a fucking‘but.’ “But what?” His voice came out sharp, his patience hanging by a thread.

Kane, surprisingly, was the one to answer. “Your blood saved King’s life.”

King tensed. They were talking about him now.

Kane continued after a few minutes of silence. “For thousands of years, full-blood vampires have been dying from silver. No exceptions. No second chances. King is the first vampire to ever survive being shot with a silver bullet.” He paused, letting that sink in. “That means your blood isn’t just rare, Amara. It’s legendary.”

Silence.

King’s gaze immediately locked onto Amara. He needed to see her reaction. See what she was thinking. But she just sat there listening and absorbing what was being said.

Daniel spoke again, his voice cutting through the weight of Kane’s words. “In order to save a vampire, Amara, you are still a weapon. One that could be used against me.”

King’s gut twisted. There it was. The real reason Daniel looked like he hadn’t slept in days. She was dangerous. Not just to herself but to him. To all of them.

Daniel continued, “Staying as you are now will continue to put you in danger.” His tone softened, but King wasn’t fooled. Daniel cared, but he also knew how the supernatural world worked. A weapon was a weapon. And weapons were meant to be controlled.

King fucking hated that thought.

“Take time to think about this,” Daniel urged. “It’s an important decision.”

King’s chest tightened. This wasn’t just about her. It was about them.

But Amara didn’t hesitate. “I don’t need time to think.” Her voice rang through the room, steady and unshaken. Amara lifted herchin, looking straight at Daniel. “Tell your friend, thank you, but I’m not interested.”

Fuck. King’s stomach clenched. She didn’t get it. She didn’t understand that this meant there would always be a target on her back. Always.

“Amara, are you sure?” His frown deepened. He needed her to know the weight of this choice. “There is always going to be a target on your back.”

“Then I guess the Warriors will have to keep me safe,” Amara smirked, her eyes flicking between them before the humor faded, and her voice turned serious. “It may be Duncan and Pam I save next. Or you, Kane. To me, that is worth the risk. You guys have been a family to Joey... and now, I see you as my family.”

King’s chest tightened at her words.

Daniel gave her a respectful nod. “Thank you.” His tone was sincere, but his eyes were sharp. “But know this is your decision. And if you ever change your mind?—”

“I won’t.” Amara cut him off without hesitation, her gaze unwavering. “Just please watch your back if I’m taken again, okay?”

A white-hot fury ignited inside King.

“That won’t fucking happen.” His voice came out like a goddamn growl, vibrating through the room, but Daniel just grinned like he expected it.

Amara, being Amara, couldn’t leave it at that. She shrugged and smirked. “And don’t piss me off, because I could change sides.” Then she laughed, shaking her head. “Just messing with ya.”

“Damn.” Kane chuckled, turning to Joey. “You sure you don’t have another aunt somewhere?”

King’s head snapped toward Kane so fast, it was a miracle his neck didn’t break. “Watch it.” His voice was a warning—a low, lethal threat—but Kane just winked at Amara with his signature charming grin. The motherfucker. Before King could rip his head off, Amara moved.

She stood and tightly hugged Daniel. King clenched his jaw but let it slide. Daniel was fine. Kane, on the other hand...yeah, he knew his history with women.

Then Amara whispered, “King will keep me safe.” Her voice softened. “But seriously, if I do happen to come up missing again, watch your ass, because I really like you.”

Daniel pulled back and met her gaze, his expression unreadable for a moment before he nodded once. “Deal.”

Kane reached over and pulled Amara into a hug right after smirking at him over her damn shoulder. The fucker was pushing his luck. King’s grip on the broom tightened so hard it cracked. If Kane held her one second longer, he was about to redecorate the kitchen with his face.

“Thank you, Amara.” Kane finally said, dragging out the hug before finally letting her go which was a smart move.

“Hey, Joey, want to head to the compound? I got a gaming setup that’ll blow your mind.” Daniel asked as if knowing King was ready to blow.

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