Page 10 of Nearly Dead

“They’ve called an emergency session specifically about you.”My father doesn’t appear to be listening to me.

“Lucky me.”I cross my arms.

“They want assurances that you’re not a threat.”Mortimer’s tone is clinical.“No one has ever survived being bitten by both a wolf and a vampire, let alone an Alpha and a master vampire.The combination has been known as incompatible with continued existence.”

I take a deep breath, and it occurs to me that vampires don’t need to breathe, yet I do.“Yet here I am.Existing.Sorry to disappoint.”

“This isn’t a joke, Tamara.”Davis runs a hand through his hair in a rare display of frustration.“The political ramifications are significant.The Devine family has always stood for order in the supernatural world.Now my daughter is an unprecedented hybrid at a time when the werewolf hierarchy has collapsed after their Alpha’s death, a death you were present for.”

“Their Alpha was killed by Elizabeth,” I remind him.“While she was trying to steal all the magic in the world.Maybe tell them to focus on that instead of me.”

“Elizabeth has gone underground,” Mortimer says.“The council is looking into those accusations.And she is not in question at the moment.Vampires are known equations.You are an…”

He hesitates.

“Abomination?”I offer to help him.

“Anomaly,” Mortimer corrects, but I can see he agrees more with my answer than his.

“So what’s your solution?Lock me in the basement until I learn to heel?”

“That would be the simplest approach,” Mortimer agrees, missing my sarcasm.Or maybe he simply ignored it.He turns to his brother.“Davis, it is an accepted practice to lock away troubles until they can be resolved.We could keep her comfortable while we determine the extent of her condition.The council might agree to this, and it will show we’re handling the problem.”

“I’m not a condition.”My fingers curl, and I feel a prickling sensation as my nails begin to sharpen.I bite back the growing rage, but it’s difficult to control.“I’m not a problem to solve.”

“Tamara,” Davis says, his voice softening slightly.“We’re trying to protect you.”

“Are you?Or are you trying to protect the Devine reputation?”The anger continues to bubble, rising up in my throat.

“That’s enough.”My father’s voice hardens.“I understand you’re struggling but remember who you’re speaking to.”

“I know exactly who I’m speaking to.”I step closer to him, feeling a surge of power that’s new and intoxicating.“The question is, doyouknow who you’re speaking to?”

The tension in the room is broken by Astrid’s arrival.She sweeps in like a cool breeze, assessing the situation with one glance.

“Davis, Mortimer,” she nods to each, then turns to me.“Tamara, I see you’re awake.Good.You’re looking better.”

“I was just explaining to our daughter that she needs to cooperate with the council’s investigation,” Davis says.

“Was that before or after suggesting she be hidden away?”Astrid’s tone is ice.

“It would be best if we moved her to the country estate,” Mortimer says.

“Tamara is a Devine.We will not hide her away like cowards.That is to imply we’re ashamed or scared.I am neither.Tamara is our daughter, and we will stand beside her.”

I blink in surprise.Astrid openly defending me to them is new territory.

“The council—” Mortimer begins.

“Will be managed,” Astrid cuts him off.“As it has always been managed.By me.”She turns to me.“You have visitors.The werewolf delegation is here to speak to you.”

“Werewolves?Here?At a vampire’s home to speak to my daughter?”Davis looks incredulous.“Without asking me for permission first?”

“You were gone.I gave them permission,” Astrid says simply.“Get dressed, Tamara.They’re waiting in the west drawing room.”

“Wait,” I say, as everyone moves to leave.“Why do they want to see me?”

Astrid pauses at the door.“Because their Alpha is dead, and you, my dear, are the closest thing they have to a connection to him.”

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