Page 44 of Bite of Vengeance

“She didn’t need to know.”

Keeva was shaking, and I had a feeling it was a mixture of fear and rage. Her emotions were probably all over the place and she had no idea what was happening to her body. From how quickly Kali’s senses had changed, I was sure it was happening to Keeva too.

“You are a Shadow,” I told her. “Someone with powers that the humans want to use for their own gain.”

“If you’re going to tell her the truth, say it all,” Norman spat out. “Your father wants to use her in the same way. At least we want her for a good cause.”

I scoffed. “A good cause? I see how this city and others are falling apart. The civilians are getting tired of your lies. They don’t want to live like this anymore. We’ve heard about the protests. The Clovers are making more waves than we even thought possible. Soon, your fragile reign will end. But you won’t be here to see it.”

In two steps, I was in front of him, and he scurried back, hitting the wall.

“Wait,” he nearly shouted in a panic. “I did what you wanted.”

“You did,” I praised him cruelly. “But your help isn’t needed anymore.”

“You need to get out of the city.” His words came out in a rush. “I can help.”

“We already have that figured out.”

“You said you wouldn’t kill me,” he snarled, his hands landing on my chest in a useless attempt to push me away.

“You know what I am,” I murmured in a low voice. “You should have known I’d lie.”

I grabbed the sides of his face, wishing I could have made his death as painful as he deserved. But with my blood running through his veins, I had to make sure I killed him before he could heal.

“No—”

His cry was cut off when I snapped his neck. Keeva let out a gasp when his body fell heavily to the floor in a heap.

“What the fuck, Zan?” Pax grumbled as he appeared in the doorway before pushing the other PARA member into the room. “Please tell me how we’re supposed to take him with us when he’s dead?”

“We’re not.”

His eyes cut to me. “We’re just going to expose to PARA how new vampires are so weak that their basically human? They have no idea it takes a year to transition.”

“Does it really matter anymore?” I shot back. “They won’t have a chance to use it against us.”

Pax’s jaw ticked as we stared at each other. This was one of our most guarded secrets and I was about to leave Norman here, allowing humans to learn how vulnerable new vampires were. At the moment, I didn’t give a shit. Amaros was about to declare war, and unlike last time, it wouldn’t end until one side won. All I wanted was to get Kali away from it all.

“Let’s get the hell out of here,” Pax finally said, shaking his head.

“Were his words true?” Keeva asked. “You have a father who wants to use me?”

I turned to see her standing up, staring at us with distrust. Her eyes were clear and sharp, her body strong. A far cry fromhow she was minutes earlier or the last time I’d seen her here. I frowned, realizing her strength was probably the same as Kali’s. Which meant if she didn’t want to come with us, it could be a problem.

“Yes, it’s true,” I answered her carefully. “But we’re going to do what we can to keep you from him and from PARA.”

“Did the humans call you Keeva?” Pax asked softly, the pity in his voice evident.

Her sharp gaze darted behind me to him. “Yes.”

“You have a sister,” I said, the words flying from my mouth before I could think. “A twin.”

Keeva’s eyes widened slightly. “What?”

“Her name is Kali,” I told her, knots twisting in my stomach. “And she’s mine. My father wants her too. I’m doing whatever I can to keep her—and you—away from him.”

“Why should I trust you?” she sneered, her body going rigid. “I might have been locked away my entire life, but even I know that vampires are killers.”

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