Bite of Vengeance (Shadows of War #3)

10. Kali

Chapter 10

Kali

K eeva.

The name of my twin who I’d never known. Zan had told me that she looked just like me. I wondered if we shared personality traits. Where did she grow up? Did she realize she was a Shadow? Was PARA running tests on her like Amaros had said they did to my mother? The questions had been swarming my mind, and the longer I thought about it, the more restless I was becoming.

I hadn’t seen Amaros in nearly a week, ever since he told me Keeva’s name. I knew he was still on the property from the way Zan was acting, but I wasn’t a priority at the moment. Amaros wanted my twin, and since Pax and Viggo were still here, I was guessing they hadn’t come up with a plan yet.

I rolled over in bed, letting out a small groan as I snuggled under the covers. I’d barely slept lately. It was more than just restlessness from being trapped on Amaros’s property. Nighttime was when I was most awake now. Maybe it had to do with my transition. Vampires were night creatures. Which was why I was surprised Zan had been in bed with me every night after we got back from the Pen.

The dim bathroom light allowed me to stare at him as he slept on top of the blankets. His chest rose and fell with each breath, and when he was sleeping was the only time he looked peaceful. I nearly brushed the black strand of hair that was resting over his closed eyes.

I had no idea what to do about him.

Zan wanted me. He’d been trying to protect me from his father as best he could since arriving. But he was still a Kane, who had stood beside his father and helped destroy a human city. Something I was sure would happen again. He might want to save me, but that was it. The small number of people I cared about in this world would die if the vampires won the war against the humans.

If Amaros thought I would do what he ordered, then he was in for a shock. I was going to the Pen every night for me , not him. The Shadows trusted me. They had an allegiance to me, not Amaros or the other vampires. And for a reason I couldn’t explain, I trusted them too.

“Do you stare at me every time I sleep?”

His voice was gruff, and he didn’t even open his eyes when he snaked his arm around my waist, pulling me to him. My chest hit his, his lips brushing my forehead.

“I wasn’t staring,” I mumbled, knowing he could hear how my heart sped up from his touch.

“Liar,” he rasped, kissing me before running his lips down my jaw. “Can’t sleep?”

“Apparently not,” I breathed out. “What are you doing, Zan?”

“I was dreaming about you,” he admitted. “I’m obsessed with you, even in my sleep.”

I froze, wondering why he was saying this when Amaros could possibly be listening. I knew that was why Zan was keeping his distance from me. Why was tonight different?

“My father left the property when the sun went down. I can say what I want to you when none of his vampires are close.”

I shot up, pulling out of his hold. “Why are you just telling me this?”

He sighed, turning on his back and putting his arms behind his head. “What would it have changed, Kali? You think you can try to leave since he’s not here? There are over two hundred vampires within the walls. There’s no leaving.”

I didn’t miss how he sounded resigned by that fact. I wrapped my arms around my knees, my mind racing.

“I want to go to the Pen,” I blurted out.

“The sun comes up in less than two hours.”

“You and I can both walk in the sun.”

“Only a select few vampires know my secret.” His eyes found mine as he remained lying down. “My brothers and I don’t go outside during the day here.”

“Then I’ll go,” I replied, letting challenge enter my voice.

He chuckled. “I don’t think so.”

“If I can’t leave this damn place, then why can’t I go alone?”

The dangerous gleam in his eye was the only warning I had before his fingers closed around my wrist, and he yanked me down. In the span of a second, he was on top of me, straddling my hips and pinning my arms next to my head.

“Zan—”

“Free yourself, Kali,” he murmured, his voice full of dark teasing. “Let me see your new skills.”

I shot him a scathing glare. “I’m not as strong as you.”

“Try anyway.”

I fought in his hold, attempting to break his grip on my wrists. His amused smirk only had me trying harder. Bucking my hips did absolutely nothing.

“Warner is with my father.”

His admission halted my struggles, my eyes snapping to his. “What?”

“He took Warner off the property.”

“Why?”

He shook his head. “Can’t tell you that.”

Rage began building, a hot rush shooting through my veins. “Can’t or won’t?”

“Won’t.”

I thrashed, feeling his hold tighten on my wrists. My chest heaved, and I sucked in deep breaths as something washed over me. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to process what I was feeling. My skin tingled, and I let out a small cry when it all exploded. Strength that I didn’t know I possessed jolted through every cell in my body. I was full of it. The power. Energy that I wasn’t sure I’d even tapped into yet.

Snapping my eyes open, I met Zan’s curious stare and let out a wild laugh. Planting my feet on the mattress, I bucked my hips, and this time Zan lost balance.

“Shit,” he grunted when I yanked hard enough to free one of my wrists.

He scrambled to grab me again, but I slammed my palm into his chest, shoving hard enough for him to tumble off me. I pushed him again, and he ground out a curse as he rolled off the edge of the mattress. Since he was still holding my other wrist hostage, I went to the floor with him. I landed on top of him, but he didn’t wait long to try to get the upper hand. He kept my arm captive while trying to climb back on top of me.

“Look at that,” he mused. “You’ve been holding out on me, Kali.”

I didn’t spare the energy to tell him that he was wrong. I had no idea where this came from. And I wasn’t sure it would last. Already, I could feel it waning.

“I lied,” he said quietly. “Warner is still here on the property.”

I fell still. “What?”

“Only my father left.” He caught my ankle when I tried crawling away. “Where’re you going? You haven’t gotten free yet.”

“Zan,” I snapped when he dragged me back.

“Free yourself.” He repeated his earlier words.

He let me get on my feet only for him to grasp my hips, pushing his body into mine as he pinned me to the wall. I shoved on his chest, and this time it did absolutely nothing.

“Right now, your anger is what fuels your strength.” His hands left my waist, and he placed his knuckles under my chin, tilting my face up. “It’s not a constant yet, and it won’t be until closer to when your transition is complete. And that is why you’re not going anywhere on this property alone.”

“You think your father’s vampires would come after me?”

“I’m not taking the chance.”

I took in his words, my gaze locked on his. “Were you using your full strength against me just now?”

He cocked his head, a smirk playing on his lips. “Maybe.”

My heart pounded, excitement rushing through me. If I was as strong as Zan, then maybe once I fully transitioned, I would be able to challenge Amaros.

Zan mumbled a curse, his head snapping to the side to stare at the door. With a frown, I followed his gaze, focusing harder to hear what he clearly already noticed. There were faint footsteps before someone knocked on the door.

“This better be an emergency,” Zan called out, annoyance in his voice.

The door swung open, revealing Viggo in the doorway. He raised an eyebrow, a grin on his lips when Zan took a step away from me.

“Come on, we need to talk.” He jerked a nod, expecting us to follow. “In Dad’s office.”

“Why in his office?” I asked, looking at Zan.

“It’s one place no one can eavesdrop,” he muttered before looking at his brother. “Where’s Pax?”

“Waiting for us.”

Zan sighed. “Then let’s go.”

I didn’t protest when he grabbed my hand before we walked out of the room. He was doing that every time we went anywhere. Viggo walked beside us, his hands in his jeans’ pockets. There were a couple vampires milling around as we strode down the hall, but Viggo and Zan ignored them.

We passed the rotunda, and my pulse thudded when we turned down another hall. The last time I was here was the night I ended up in the pool with Zan and I found out that Amaros could entrance him.

“You sure you want her here?”

Viggo’s question was barely even a whisper, and I leaned forward looking past Zan to glare at him. “Excuse me?”

His head whipped toward me, his eyes widening. “You weren’t supposed to hear that.”

Zan let out a chuckle. “I warned you. Her senses are already heightening.”

“Well, shit.” Viggo rubbed the back of his neck. “Guess I need to be more careful around you.”

“Why wouldn’t you want me here?” I asked as Zan opened the office door.

“Because I still think you’re gonna get us killed,” Viggo muttered.

I rolled my eyes. “I heard that.”

“I wanted you to.” His playful grin was gone, and he stared at me warily. “Everything is about to change.”

Without elaborating, he strode through the doorway. Zan scrubbed a hand down his face before leading me inside. I licked my lips nervously when I spotted Pax leaning against the back wall. Gia was standing next to him, and she gave me a comforting smile as she uncrossed her arms. I inspected the office, a chill racing down my spine.

A small cage was pushed against the wall near a large bookcase. It was empty, but I could only imagine why he had it in here. My eyes darted to the books, and I realized Amaros had all the classics going back decades. There were also history books that took over at least two shelves. My gaze dropped to the bottom shelf where there were loose papers stacked and crammed.

“Let’s get this done,” Viggo said gruffly, standing next to his twin. “Dad will be back before sunrise which is just over an hour away.”

“Where is he?” I asked.

“At one of our warehouses,” Zan answered.

“You all know how careful we need to be,” Gia warned, her eyes clouding with apprehension. “Other than Kali, Amaros can sense our true feelings. If he has any doubts about our allegiance to him, none of this will work.”

The tension in the room grew as I glanced at all of them. “What won’t work?”

Pax spoke up first. “We’re going to convince him to let us take you off the property.”

“Can you get us into Project Hope?” Viggo questioned, studying me.

I stiffened on instinct, a frown tipping down my lips. I wasn’t sure if my feelings would change the more I transitioned, but right now, I didn’t want to help vampires get into a human city.

“See?” Viggo waved his arm. “She still doesn’t trust us.”

Gia tsked. “Can you blame her?”

“We aren’t going to hurt anyone, Kali,” Zan murmured, meeting my eyes. “We want to get your twin out.”

“To give her to Amaros,” I snapped, my stomach twisting painfully.

“What if we didn’t bring her back to the property?” Pax asked quietly. “We can hide her.”

“Where?” I didn’t hide the suspicion or doubt in my voice.

“There are options.” Viggo scoffed. “But it all comes with risk. If he finds out…” He trailed off, letting out a humorless chuckle. “You and your twin would be worse off than you are now.”

“He won’t find out,” Zan growled. “We’re getting Kali out.”

“You think he’ll let me leave the property?” I shook my head. “It won’t happen.”

“Warner will stay here,” Gia informed me gently. “He knows you care for him.”

My heart clenched. “I’m not leaving him here?—”

“It’s the only way it’ll work,” Viggo cut me off sharply. “Once we get your twin, then Gia will get Warner off the property.”

“And if she can’t do that?” I shot back. “Then he’s dead.”

Viggo pushed off the wall, storming closer, only stopping when Zan stepped in front of me. I took a small step to the side, keeping Viggo’s stare.

“There will be death,” he said slowly, keeping his voice steady. “Vampires, Shadows, your precious humans. Amaros is done waiting—he wants this war. Getting you away from our father is dangerous. And in my opinion, I think it’s a bad fucking idea.”

I scowled. “Then why are we talking about it?”

Viggo’s eyes darted to Zan. “Because my little brother can’t be talked out of trying to protect you. And I’m not going to watch him get killed for you.”

“ And ,” Gia said, giving Viggo a stern look, “you also know that not all the humans deserve what Amaros wants to do to them.”

Viggo frowned. “I never said that. I care about my brothers.”

“And Gia.” Pax raised an eyebrow at his twin. “And Kali, since she’s important to Zan.”

“This will change everything,” Viggo muttered darkly. “There won’t be any going back. We get her off the property, then expect that we’re not coming back.”

“Then I’m not coming back,” Zan snapped. “This won’t fall back on you two.”

“I’m coming with you,” Pax stated firmly. “You know how I feel about Dad’s plan.”

Viggo cursed under his breath. “Perfect.”

“You three convince your father to have Kali help get into Project Hope,” Gia said, taking control of the conversation. “I will stay here with Warner.”

Ice flowed through my veins. “We can take him with us?—”

“No, we can’t,” Zan cut me off, his voice sharp. “Amaros can’t know what we have planned. Warner will go with Gia later.”

“And if that doesn’t work?”

He spun around, his eyes locking with mine. “You told me that you want to protect the humans from my father. Is that still true?”

“Yes,” I answered in a shaky voice.

“Warner still feels the same.” He paused. “That will most likely change as he transitions—but as of now, he would die to save humans, just like you would. You have a choice, Kali. You risk Warner’s life to attempt to protect all human lives.”

My heart pounded against my ribs. His words were true, and I knew Warner would be agreeing with him if he was in this room. But it hurt so damn much. There was a short list of people in this world I cared for. When I’d thought Warner died, I wasn’t sure I would recover.

“You have two choices,” Zan murmured, breaking into my warring thoughts. “We go with my plan to save your twin and try to protect human cities.”

“And my other option?” I asked tightly.

He leaned closer. “I take you off this property and make sure you’re protected from PARA and my father.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means that I will do anything to keep you safe.” His voice dripped with dark promise. “The only reason I’m doing it this way is for you. You want to save the humans. I only care about saving you.”

“What are we, chopped liver?” Viggo mumbled, crossing his arms.

Before another word was said, all three brothers stiffened, and Zan spun around toward the door. My heart somersaulted in my chest when I turned to see Amaros in the doorway. His face held no emotion, and I wondered how much of the conversation he’d heard.

“What are you doing in my office?” he asked, danger lurking in his voice. “Having a conversation you don’t want me to hear?”

“Of course not, Dad,” Viggo replied smoothly, giving his father a grin. “We were just telling Kali she’d need blood soon and figured you didn’t want your vampires overhearing since they don’t even know she’s a Shadow yet.”

His lie didn’t ease my growing panic. Amaros had the ability to entrance all three of them. All it would take was one question to know what we were really talking about. I glanced at Pax, and like his two brothers, his expression was giving nothing away.

“Is that so?” Amaros murmured, his eyes halting on me. “Having cravings, Kali?”

“I’m—I’m not sure,” I stumbled out, not sure how I should answer.

His stare pierced through me, and even if he couldn’t get in my head, I had a feeling he was trying. I caught Zan clenching his fists before Amaros’s next words pulled my attention back to him.

“Come with me, Kali.”

“To go where?” I asked, not moving a muscle.

“You’ll find out.”