Page 107 of Bite of Vengeance

“Maybe we can change PARA’s mind,” she replied. “I guess that depends on you.”

Rage slid through my veins as I swallowed my words. If she thought I would bow to her, she was very much mistaken. I just needed a chance to feed. To gain my strength again. And Zan needed to stay alive during that time.

“Kali,” Zan bellowed before a pained grunt filled the air.

Keeva upped her pace as I struggled to look over my shoulder, my fear for Zan intensifying. But all I could see was the crowd of Shadows following us, along with the soldier who had been talking to Keeva.

“You’re better without him,” she murmured. “You’ll see.”

I pressed my lips together, refusing to argue with her. The massive building came into view with the door already open. Keeva didn’t let me go, nearly dragging me across the shiny tile. The bright lights were a sharp contrast to the night sky. I studied the large room, noticing it the same metal walls and floor asthe one I was trapped in at Project Hope. If the Shadows stayed here, it must have been on a different floor. There was nothing in here at all.

She finally released me, and I barely managed to stay on my feet. Rya was next to me in a second, helping me stand. She caught my eye, worry filling her gaze.

“I’m fine,” I told her, giving her a small smile.

“Let me see her.” Rowan’s weak voice came from behind me.

Straightening my shoulders, I slowly turned around. Rowan was a few feet away, and he looked terrible. Dried blood was smeared over his broken nose, and he couldn’t even stand straight. His heart was pounding, and he clutched his ribs as he hobbled closer.

“You’re the reason for all of this,” he snarled, raising his gun. “Joining Shadows with the Clovers? You think we wouldn’t find out?”

I forced out a cold laugh, knowing it would piss him off. “Find out? What does that change? The Clovers are fighting alongside the Shadows. Creatures who even your best PARA soldiers can’t compare to. And even if I’m not leading them, they won’t stop.”

Keeva frowned, her eyes darting to the Shadows surrounding us. At least seventy of them were ones who had been with me since we left Amaros’s property, and their fierce gazes proved they would follow me anywhere.

With an enraged yell, he moved to hit me with his gun. My arm lashed out, and I grabbed his wrist, squeezing it until he grunted in pain.

“I am not in chains anymore,” I growled, my voice deadly. “You think you can hurt me? I will fuckingripyou apart.”

Keeva’s fingers wrapped around my arm, and she tore my grip off Rowan, pushing me back. “Stop. I want you to work with us, Kali.”

“Don’t you see?” I shrieked, staring at her. “Rowan—PARA—they are not the fucking light. They want control. Power. They’re using you and me to get it. Life shouldn’t be like this.”

“You’re wrong,” she argued, her eyes clouding with annoyance. “I’m trying to save you.”

I laughed bitterly. “Save me from what?”

“The dark,” Rowan answered, keeping his gun aimed at me. “Your twin is right. We want to help you.”

“By torturing me for nearly two weeks? I will never bow to you.”

He pulled the trigger, and I hunched forward when the bullet tore through my flesh, burying itself in my lower stomach. I swallowed my groan when he shot me again in the thigh. A few Shadows began yelling in fury, their footsteps drawing closer.

“It’s okay,” Keeva tried to soothe them. “She’s not in danger.”

“She is. PARA is no friend to us,” Rya seethed, and I glanced at her, my heart panging when I caught the torn look on her face. Her instincts were to trust me and Keeva.

Rowan shot me again, and I fell to my knees when it clipped my ankle. Every breath was agonizing.

But my rage?

That was burning even hotter.

“I’m fine, Rya,” I said calmly, lifting my head to meet her quizzical stare. “I just need to feed. That’s all. And Rowan? He knows that he’s nothing. That’s why he’s doing this.” My eyes cut to him. “How does it feel? To be in the presence of two women who hold power you will never be able to fucking touch? To know that without us, your reign will crumble?”

My words had the effect I wanted when he stormed up to me, and grabbed my throat, his eyes wild with rage. “Do I look like I don’t have power? I hold yours right now.”

My grin was steeped in malice. “I was born with this power. And no one will ever fucking take it from me.”

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