6. Kali
Chapter 6
Kali
“ I don’t want to do this,” I said, staring at the front entrance of the Pen with apprehension filling me. “Please, Zan.”
“Now, now, Kali. Don’t make me force my hand.” The sinister voice came from behind me.
The blood drained from my face when Amaros appeared out of the darkness. Zan’s shoulders tensed slightly, but he didn’t say a word when his father stepped beside him.
“You want your friend to stay safe, don’t you?” Amaros asked, cruelty lacing his voice. “One word from me, and Gia’s hospitality will end. Then she’ll show him how we treat our prisoners.”
I glared daggers at him. “I don’t understand what you want me to do in there.”
“Nothing,” he said simply. “I want to see how they react to you.”
“Why?”
“Zan,” he said sharply, looking away from me with irritation.
I scowled when Zan gripped me above the elbow, dragging me toward the door. Just like last time, there were four vampires standing guard in front of the building. They moved to the side when Zan gave them a short nod. One of them raised the key, unlocking and opening the door before moving out of the way. I didn’t need to look behind me to know Amaros was following. I could feel his presence, and he was much too close for my liking.
We entered the small room that had the second locked door, and once the vampire behind us closed the exterior door, Zan released me so he could slide the bolt on the door in front of us. My eyes adjusted to the dark faster than usual, making my stomach flip from the change. I tracked Zan’s movements as best as I could, just making out his shadow in the darkness, which was something my human eyes wouldn’t have been able to do. I could see even better than when I was in Zan’s room a few hours ago.
I jerked when a hand landed on my lower back, and Amaros pushed me forward. Zan opened the door, allowing light to stream into the small space we were in. I’d already been moving which meant Amaros was touching me just because he wanted to. Loathing tore through me, and before I realized what I was doing, I glanced over my shoulder to glare at him.
Something jolted through my veins as I locked eyes with his. My body was buzzing with a foreign emotion. It only happened when I was angry, but every time the feeling only grew more intense. It was nearly overwhelming, but not in a bad way. If anything, I was feeding off it. As much as I was fighting against this transition, I welcomed this.
Power.
Strength.
I couldn’t control it, but I was sure that would change. I watched Amaros as he strode past me, and I clenched my fists, hoping my strength would someday rival his. Zan and his father believed I was something special. But it wouldn’t do me any good if Amaros could still overpower me. I’d seen him fight. I knew how old he was. I was nothing compared to him. At least not yet.
Zan grabbed my hand, pulling me from my thoughts. He led me farther into the large room just like last time, and I scanned the area, growing more anxious as Shadows surrounded us. There were so many of them, I didn’t understand how Zan and Amaros didn’t worry about walking in here. They might be strong, but could they really fight against all of these Shadows?
“I remember you.”
I spun around to see a female Shadow. My eyes traveled over her sharp features, and the confused frown on her lips. It was the same one who had spoken to me the last time I was here. This time her dirty blonde hair was braided and hanging over her shoulder. Zan cut in front of me, causing the Shadow to back up a couple steps.
“Do not interfere,” Amaros ordered gruffly, glaring at his son. “This is the entire reason we’re in here.”
Zan didn’t heed his father’s command. He stayed in front of me, his fists clenched tight. My stomach rolled as I glanced around, noticing the Shadows surrounding us were focused on me. Amaros noticed too, and he reached forward to grab Zan’s arm, yanking him away from me.
“She’s not human,” another Shadow muttered as he prowled around me.
I straightened my spine, not liking how they were talking around me. The blonde female was still in front of me, and I inhaled deeply, attempting to calm my nerves. My heart was pounding and every soul in here could hear it.
But then I froze.
I could smell them—or smell something that was new to me. It was faint, but there was no mistaking it. A scent I’d never experienced before walking into this room. I couldn’t even describe it. It was more than just a smell. It was almost as if I could sense them. Like I knew they weren’t vampires. That they were Shadows.
“You’re different,” the blonde said, her head tilting to the side before her gaze cut to Zan. “Like him. But you’re not the same as he is.”
I didn’t move a muscle, unsure of what to even say. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Zan pushing away from Amaros, and he stepped forward until he was beside me.
“You’re with them,” the blonde hissed, indecision flashing in her eyes.
“No—”
“Yes,” Amaros answered the same time I did.
“No,” I repeated, speaking louder. “I’m not.”
Murmurs rang out through the group of Shadows as Zan’s shoulder brushed mine. Something Amaros didn’t miss. My heart lurched at the wicked glint in his eye. My denial of working with him didn’t seem to bother him, putting me even more on edge. The female Shadow stepped closer, causing Zan to stand protectively in front of me.
“Back away,” Zan growled, his voice menacing.
The blonde ignored him, her gaze staying locked on me. The others were tightening the circle around us while Amaros slowly backed up, his expression giving nothing away. A male Shadow with messy red hair sauntered closer until he was nearly nose to nose with Zan.
“Don’t challenge me,” Zan threatened harshly. “You know how it will end.”
Neither Shadow listened to him, and Zan shoved the redhead back. The blonde took the opportunity to get closer to me, her nostrils flaring as she sucked in a deep breath. Suddenly, a tingling sensation tore across my back, distracting me from her hard stare. I squirmed slightly, glancing over my shoulder. No one was touching me, and I swiped my hand over my lower back, trying to figure out what I was feeling.
“Who are you?” the blonde whispered, pulling my attention back to her.
I paused for a moment. “Kali.”
“What are you?”
Her question had my stomach knotting painfully. Before I could answer, a pained grunt had my eyes snapping back to Zan. He and the redhead were full-on fighting, causing the others to retreat as Zan flung the Shadow away from him. I jerked when someone grabbed my arm, spinning me around.
The blonde released me the second my eyes met her blue ones. Curiosity covered her features, but she wasn’t looking at me like a threat the way she did with Amaros or Zan.
“You’re one of us.” Her words were quiet, but I heard them clear as day. “I can sense it.”
A crack snapped through the air, and I glanced away from her to see Zan releasing the Shadow’s now-broken neck. The redhead fell to the floor as a wave of angry murmurs rang out across the room. Most looked ready to jump in and fight Zan, and as I watched, I realized how little control he had of the Shadows. They had listened to him somewhat the last time I was here, but it was different right now. The tension in the room crackled as Zan strode toward me.
The blonde, along with four others, stepped in front of me, forming a wall. Zan’s face darkened as he halted.
“Move,” he snarled.
The Shadows ignored him, forming a tighter circle around me as I stood there in shock. Was it because I was one of them now? But so was Zan. Though, he was a Kane, so maybe that made him different. My gaze slid to the right, seeing Amaros was watching intently. It was impossible to know what he was thinking. Whatever it was, I was sure it wasn’t good for me.
Another tingle spread across my back, only this time it was slightly painful. Like small pinpricks. My heart skipped a beat as I tried figuring out what it was. Something to do with my transition?
“Time to go,” Amaros stated, his stare landing on Zan. “I’ve seen what I needed.”
Zan lunged forward, attempting to get to me, but the Shadows worked together, keeping him away. The blonde stayed right at my side as I stood there silently. They were protecting me. Zan let out a growl of frustration, swinging at the closest Shadow. Three of them pushed forward, tackling Zan to the floor. He was back on his feet in an instant, holding his own against all of them. But they weren’t letting him get close to where I was.
I stepped forward on instinct, panic ripping through me. “Stop.”
To my surprise, they did. All of them froze, and Zan let go of the Shadow, shoving him away. Shock flared in his eyes as he looked at me. He stormed toward me, not stopping when the blonde stepped forward. I grabbed her wrist, pulling her back.
“Leave him alone,” I ordered loudly.
“You belong here,” the blonde said stiffly, glancing at me. “Not him.”
I frowned. “He’s a Shadow.”
“A Kane,” she spat out. “He’s different.”
“Let’s go,” Amaros commanded, losing patience. “Now.”
Zan was finally next to me, and I didn’t fight when he gripped my hand, interlocking our fingers. The Shadows were all looking at us, their stares not bothering me like they should. Warmth and safety surrounded me here. Somehow, I knew they wouldn’t hurt me.
“I’ll be back,” I promised, looking at the blonde Shadow.
She didn’t respond, her glare pointed at Zan. We began to walk toward the exit, and they all backed up, letting us pass. Amaros was already at the door, holding it open, and waiting for me to go first. Zan’s grip tightened as he led me out of the room. My mind was racing with what just happened as he messed with the door to unlock it. Once we were back out in the night air, I went rigid as another wave of pain went down my back, this one worse.
“What’s wrong?” Zan asked, letting go of my hand to stand in front of me, his eyes trailing over me.
“Nothing,” I gritted out, not wanting to show weakness in front of his father. “I’m fine.”
“I want you back here tomorrow.”
I spun around, my guard going up when I saw Amaros right behind me. I didn’t respond to his order. If that was what he wanted, then it would happen. He nodded his head, a silent command to start walking back toward his house. Giving him a glare, I slowly headed for the small, worn-down trail.