Page 16 of Mortal Reaper (Shadow Shifter)

Killian chuckled. “It takes more than foreshadowing to become king. I don’t need this gift to predict your actions. I have watched you your entire life and know how your mind works. It is very much like your mother’s. You are a survivor. That part you get from me, but your turning reaper is inevitable. You must complete your mission before your evolution. I suggest you accept your destiny. Either way, it will come to pass.”

She shook her head. As horrible as the images he had described were, they were preferable to the one where Killian was king. Where Raine and the other shadow warriors died. “No.”

Killian smiled. “Such a fighter, just like Alyssa, but you will reconsider. I guarantee it. I have seen your red eyes.”

“I won’t let that happen. I would rather die,” she hissed.

Killian opened the office door before indicating she go outside. “I would say you have a visitor, but he arrived before you did. Whether we kill him is up to you.”

Dannika darted out the door and paused on the steps as Raine kneeled between two reapers. His body was wrapped in chains.

“Why is he here?”

Killian joined her on the steps. “He followed you. In fact, he arrived before you did. Where did you stop? Don’t lie, or I will kill him now.”

She glanced up at Killian’s glowing red eyes. “I left a note for Darren, saying goodbye. That’s all, I promise.”

Killian nodded regally. “Don’t distress, my daughter. The cartographer will join us shortly. I require his skills in the future.”

Dannika descended the short stairs. Her eyes focused on the metal barbs cutting into Raine’s skin. If the sight of her mate, beaten and bleeding at her feet, weren’t enough to instill rebellion, the thought of Darren in reaper hands did. She had assumed they wanted to kill Darren. That would be a more favorable fate for the sweet natured cartographer. He believed the best in everyone and would be a feast for the reapers. They wouldn’t turn him. They would destroy him.

Her heart stuttered as she met Raine’s eyes. “Let him go.”

Killian took an exaggerated breath. “I think I will keep Raine for a while.”

She turned on her father. “That was our deal.”

“Yes, but Raine invaded our territory. I did not take him. Now his life belongs to you. I will release him on one condition.”

Her heart stilled. “What?”

“Take my blood.”

Dannika’s voice trapped in her throat as she shook her head.

Killian waved his hand, and a reaper brought a blade to Raine’s throat. “Take my blood, daughter, or I remove his head.”

Raine’s eyes widened. “Daughter?”

Killian’s fangs flashed. “You didn’t tell him? But that’s the best part.”

Dannika swallowed hard before meeting Raine’s wary gaze. “Reid Raymond was my father. My mother was a priestess, a descendant of the one who entered the demon world and retrieved the original artifact. It’s her blood, and the fact that my father made his first kill when he met my mother, putting him on the brink of turning reaper, that makes my blood different. Becoming a shadow activated something in my blood left by the priestess.”

“Why didn’t you tell me at the caves?” Raine’s voice held the betrayal she felt.

“Everything I told you about my father’s vision was true. I will do anything to save the shadow warriors and you, including turning reaper.”

Killian smiled as Raine growled.

“No, Dannika. That will never be an option. I would kill you myself.” Raine’s voice was absolute. He wasn’t lying.

Her shadow connected with his. Amid the metal, blood, and destruction, his love was true. His trust, however, had been obliterated. She had destroyed him with her lies. Her omission. A part of her died right there.

“I’m sorry.” She turned to Killian and took his wrist, biting down on his flesh.

Her fangs punctured deep. Blood flowed down her throat, but it burned her esophagus. Her body attempted to repel the fiery venom, but she was too weak to fight. Her stomach heaved, but she continued to drink.

Raine’s cry echoed in the wind. “No!”

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