Page 84 of Bite of Vengeance

“Everything is going as smoothly as it can, given the circumstances,” Viggo said before lighting up a cigarette. “The Clovers are running Project Hope with Shadows by their side. Word is spreading to other cities. It’s still a bit tense, but better than I thought.”

Pax shrugged. “Showing the humans the black blood of the Shadows was helpful. Many people in that city lost family to PARA. Their trust for the government is gone. Their rage is even worse since so many had loved ones killed by them.”

“Speaking of humans…” Viggo trailed off, staring at me.

“What?” I asked sharply.

“One of them is asking to see you,” Pax answered, his hesitation matching his brother’s.

“Who?”

“That woman who came here before.” Viggo paused. “The one who gave you all those papers. Asami, I think her name is.”

My lips parted. “What does she want?”

Viggo frowned. “She wouldn’t tell us. She’ll only talk to you, but she said it was important.”

“Why didn’t you bring her here?”

“Because we aren’t chancing that,” Pax said firmly. “No one comes here except us. The humans stay in Project Hope. But if you want, we can take you to her.”

Biting my lip, I glanced toward the stairs. I hadn’t been away from Zan since we escaped, and thinking about going without him had anxiety slamming into me.

“Wake him up,” Pax said, as if knowing what I was thinking. “He’d go with you.”

“He’s still exhausted,” I mumbled. “I want him to be at full strength as soon as possible, in case something happens.”

“Then let’s go.” Viggo took a drag of his cigarette. “We’ll be back by nightfall.”

“Go,” Gia urged. “I’ll watch over him. Maybe she has answers I can’t give you.”

“We’ll be quick,” I said, wanting to get back before Zan woke up to feed.

Pax opened the door, and I followed Viggo out of Impulse.

It was an odd feeling to walk through Project Hope instead of sneaking in. The atmosphere here was so incredibly different, even in the short time since PARA had left. It was lighter. Though, I could understand what Viggo said about it being tense. As we walked, some people were shooting us uneasy glances. Most recognized me since PARA had been searching forme for months. Shadows were everywhere, but it was impossible for a human to tell that they were a Shadow.

I’d already witnessed two Shadows embracing family they hadn’t seen in years. Those were a couple of the lucky ones that Zan and his brothers had rescued before PARA killed or took them to whatever location they were keeping Shadows.

“She said she’d be at the library,” Viggo muttered. “I have no idea where that is.”

“This way.” I took the lead, my childhood memories running through my head as I walked down the familiar streets.

Soon, the library came into view and a lump grew in my throat. Asami and her books were one of my best memories. She’d saved me back then and probably didn’t even know it. If it wasn’t for her, I would have grown up bitter and angry. She gave me love that I never had.

I slowly pushed open the door, inhaling the smell of old books. I blew out a breath, relaxation spreading through me as I scanned the small space. It had barely changed since the last time I stepped foot in here.

“Kali.”

Asami appeared from behind one of the stacks of books, rushing forward and wrapping me in a tight hug. My arms went around her, and I buried my face into the crook of her neck, smelling her familiar scent. A tear ran down my cheek when she squeezed me tighter.

“I’ve missed you,” she whispered, emotion thick in her voice. “I have a feeling you’re a big part of the change that is happening.”

“I’m the reason for it,” I muttered.

“It’s a good thing, Kali,” she promised. “The world couldn’t keep going as it was. Life is nothing when no one is happy, and these safe cities were becoming more like a prison.”

She pulled away, grabbing my arms and studying me. Her brown eyes dropped to my feet before slowly trailing up to my face.

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