Bite of Vengeance (Shadows of War #3)

16. Zan

Chapter 16

Zan

“ H ere we go.” Pax opened the door of the armored vehicle.

We were right inside the gate of Project Hope, in the small room that every vehicle had to go through for precautions. The walls were a shiny metal, and fluorescent lights covered the entire area. Thanks to Warner, we knew what process to expect. I watched as the driver got out and went straight to the door in the back of the room.

The light above the door was red for a few moments before it flashed green. Pax rolled his shoulders before going to the same door and disappearing inside. I held my breath, staring at the light until it flashed green. I unclenched my fists, relief unraveling the knots in my stomach.

With more confidence, I rushed past the last PARA member and entered the room. It was so small that my head brushed the ceiling, and I couldn’t even stretch my arms out. A small probe was poking out of the wall, and I lifted my mask, resting my forehead against it. I’d taken off the heating pouch just a few minutes ago.

“Temperature within normal range,” a computerized voice echoed through the tiny space.

A click alerted me that the door on the other side unlocked, and I pulled the mask back in place before exiting. Pax was waiting for me, and I surveyed the area, taking in the number of PARA members surrounding me. I was expecting it and acted natural as Pax and I strode across the large room. There were a few utility vehicles parked along the concrete wall.

The building we were in was where most government business happened. One of their armories was on a different floor above us. Building 1403 was just down the street, and since that was their most secure structure, we were guessing that’s where Keeva was still being held.

Pax blew out a breath once we pushed the door open and stepped outside. The sun was down, and the city was silent. Everyone was already inside for the night. Even though vampires weren’t supposed to be able to come inside these walls, PARA was already preparing as if it would happen. Or they were planning for a different kind of attack. Civilians were becoming restless. Angry. Tired of the control. The government was attempting to keep them weak and scared. It wouldn’t last forever. Sooner or later, the people would face their fear and fight back.

“In and out,” Pax said under his breath. “She’s probably still on the fourth floor.”

“I’m sure they added security since the last time we broke in there.”

He nodded in agreement as we strode down the street, acting as if we were patrolling. Once we got to building 1403, I punched in the code that Collin gave me. The door unlocked and we slipped inside, my guard rising as I surveyed the hall.

“Stairs.” Pax jerked a nod to the left.

I eyed the keypad on the door before punching in the same number. It blinked red and stayed locked. “Shit.”

“It’s too early for us to set off an alarm,” Pax said quietly. “We need to find a quiet way up there.”

Turning my head, I peered at the light spilling out of the open door. “Let’s hope he doesn’t have hawthorn.”

We quickly jogged down the narrow hall, halting in front of the door. The man was sitting behind the desk, and he raised his eyes when he heard us. Pax cursed under his breath, but my reaction was far different.

A cruel smirk curled up my lips. “This is even better.”

Norman frowned, and anger flooded my veins as I stepped into his office. I hadn’t seen this asshole since the night they tried taking Kali when she found out she had black blood.

“What do you two want?” he clipped out, dropping his pen.

I chuckled. He thought we were PARA. Pax glanced at me, waiting to see how I wanted to play this. I grabbed the hem of the mask and pulled it off. Pax grumbled under his breath before doing the same.

Norman shot to his feet, shock plastered on his face. He dove for the radio that was in front of him, and I flew into the room, reaching over the desk to grab his wrist. He jutted his chin out defiantly, meeting my eyes. Which meant he was confident I couldn’t entrance him. He either had it in his system or on his body.

“How did you get in here?” he hissed, panic filling his voice.

I tore the radio from his hand. “Doesn’t matter. What does matter is that the last time you were in my presence, you tried taking my girl from me. Then you hit her. I’ve been waiting to see you again.”

His face paled as he struggled to pull his wrist out of my grip. “Are you two trying to ruin the deal we have with your father?”

“Deal?” Pax snickered. “There was never a deal.”

“We need to get to the fourth floor,” I murmured, threat in my voice. “You’re going to help us.”

“Fuck you,” he snarled. “I take hawthorn every day. You can’t get into my head.”

“You should have given that option to your men,” I stated coldly. “Then we never would have been able to breach the city. But you humans are just as arrogant as vampires sometimes.”

He let out a yell when I yanked his arm, dragging him over his desk. Papers flew everywhere, and he fought uselessly against my hold. Once I had him in front of me, I slammed his back onto the wood, wrapping my fingers around his throat, and squeezing until he choked on his scream.

“I could torture you, but we don’t have time for that.” Bringing my wrist to my mouth, I bit down, ignoring the twinge of pain as I shoved it to his mouth. Fear flooded his eyes as he clawed at my arm. “You know what my blood really does, don’t you?”

Releasing him, I backed away as he spluttered and coughed, wiping my black blood off his lips. He got to his feet, glaring at us with loathing.

“Now, you’re going to take us where we want to go,” I demanded. “Or I kill you with my blood in your system, and you become one of us. If you obey, then I let you go, and you can keep living your pathetic life—for a while anyway. Until we take what we want.”

“You can’t take her,” he spat out,

“Can’t?” I arched an eyebrow. “You’re in no position to make threats. If you don’t want to help us, I’ll snap your neck right now.”

I took one step toward him, and he stumbled back, hitting the desk. “Fine. Fine. I’ll take you there.”

“Good answer,” I praised him mockingly as I motioned for him to leave the office. “Let’s go.”

I slid my mask back in place, pushing Norman roughly to make him follow Pax into the hall. Pax was just as tense as Norman, and they both walked rigidly toward the stairs. A guy appeared as he entered the building, and he nodded respectfully at Norman.

“Make a sound and I’ll tear into your throat before you get one word out,” I threatened under my breath.

He looked over his shoulder, throwing a glare of pure hatred at me. But he kept his mouth closed as the guy disappeared behind one of the doors. Pax halted in front of the keypad, looking at Norman expectantly.

“Let’s go,” I ordered gruffly.

“Wait, wait,” he sputtered out, holding out his hands. “We can come to an agreement?—”

“I already gave you the agreement,” I cut him off sharply. “You do what we say, and I don’t turn you into the thing you despise most.”

He broke eye contact first, looking down to punch in the code. The light turned green, and Pax opened the door, beginning the climb to the fourth floor. Norman was dragging his feet, and I shoved him forward, making him curse at me as he stumbled up the steps.

“You think PARA won’t declare war if you take her?” Norman grumbled quietly. “We’ve kept the peace for years. You’re about to ruin it.”

“You had to know it wouldn’t last,” Pax spoke up. “Let’s not pretend the humans haven’t been preparing for this.”

Norman sneered at us. “Rowan won’t let this stand.”

I didn’t respond to him as we neared the fourth floor. Rowan was about as high as someone could get in PARA. He was the one who made the decisions about everything. Though, he wasn’t the face of PARA to the civilians. He was the one who ran things from the shadows. Just like Amaros, I wanted to keep Kali far away from him. The night of Kali’s birthday, I’d seen how he looked at her. He was just as power hungry as my father, and he’d do anything to get what he wanted.

Pax opened the door, and we entered the fourth floor. It looked exactly the same as when I was here last. I grabbed Norman’s arm, dragging him with me until we stopped in front of the wall of locked doors.

“What is this?”

I eyed the PARA member as he stood from the small desk. Since Pax and I had the masks on, the guy wasn’t alarmed as he looked at Norman. Pax strode forward, catching his gaze and putting him under entrancement. The other guard was leaning against the other wall, and he blinked away the sleep in his eyes when he spotted Norman. When he heard Pax talking, his shock flared. I strode across the room before he grabbed his weapon, and slammed his head against the cement wall, knocking him unconscious.

“Open the cell she’s in,” I demanded, turning my attention to Norman. “Now.”

“Think about this,” Norman implored, fear swimming in his eyes. “You already have the other twin. That was the deal. Keep the peace.”

“Open the cell,” I repeated, pushing him forward.

He moved stiffly, going to the farthest door on the left. I followed closely behind, watching him press the buttons on the keypad. The moment the light turned green, I reached for the door handle and pulled it open.

Glancing over my shoulder, I got Pax’s attention. “Watch him.”

Norman glared daggers at me before I slipped into the cell. My heart pounded against my chest as I laid eyes on Keeva. She was huddled on the cement bench with her back to me, and she didn’t move a muscle. Creeping forward, I softly called her name. She didn’t answer, and I frowned as I touched her shoulder. She didn’t react at all.

“Keeva,” I said again, wondering if that was what the humans called her. “We’re getting you out of here.”

She still didn’t move, and I carefully moved her until she was lying on her back. A weight fell on my chest as I stared at her. She was identical to Kali. Her hair was maybe a bit shorter, but they were the same in every way. Only her scent was different.

Her eyes were closed, and for a second, I thought it was fear keeping her from looking at me until I noticed a thick layer of sweat covering her forehead. Crouching down, I lightly touched her cheek before cursing under my breath. She was burning up. A pained groan left her as she wrapped her arms around her stomach.

Standing back up, I stormed out of the cell, anger rushing through my veins. Norman let out a yell when I grabbed the collar of his shirt and slammed him into the wall.

“She’s sick,” I growled, trying to understand why panic was clawing in my chest when I didn’t even know the woman in the cell.

“She’s fine,” Norman sputtered out when I shoved him into the wall again. “She’s refusing food. If she’s hungry enough, she’ll eat.”

“She’s a Shadow. Something you know,” I said slowly, trying to restrain myself from killing him. “She doesn’t need food. She needs fucking blood.”

Norman pressed his lips together, his jaw muscle ticking. I shook my head, letting out a humorless chuckle. This fucking asshole.

“You know what she needs,” I murmured. “You haven’t given it to her because you’re scared of her power.”

“Rowan wanted to wait,” Norman forced out through clenched teeth. “She’s still alive.”

“You’re lucky you have hawthorn running through your veins.” I threw him to the floor. “Or I’d offer your blood to her.”

“Kali’s fine,” Pax said as he came closer.

My gaze snapped to him. “What?”

“You see Keeva, but you’re thinking of Kali. She’s okay. Viggo wouldn’t let her suffer if she needed blood.”

Sometimes I forgot how well my brother could read me. Pulling the mask off, I scrubbed my hand over my face, forcing myself to calm down. Fury bristled down my spine. I wanted to be there for Kali when she had to feed for the first time. But thanks to my father, I was here instead. If Keeva was this bad off, I was sure Kali was too.

“We need to hurry.” Pax nodded to the PARA member he’d entranced. “Let her feed, or we’ll never get out of here undetected. I’ll watch Norman.”

I grabbed the guy’s arm, pulling him into the cell. The worry that had been radiating through me all week only heightened as I stared at Keeva again. All I fucking wanted was to be with Kali.

“Don’t make a sound,” I ordered, forcing myself to concentrate. “Don’t fight me.”

I raised his arm, tugging his sleeve up before sinking my fangs into his wrist. I sucked a couple times, making sure the wound was open enough. Lifting my mouth from him, I glanced at Keeva, who was still lying on her back with her body trembling. I tugged the guy closer before putting him on his knees. Gripping her jaw, I opened her mouth before pressing his bloodied wrist to her lips.

She didn’t react at first, but then I could see when she tasted the blood. She coughed, attempting to tilt her head, but I held fast, keeping his wrist to her lips. Her throat bobbed as she swallowed thickly before sucking harder. She raised her hand, grabbing the man’s arm as if making sure to keep him in place. I listened to his heart, hearing it beat slower and slower as she fed. He sagged against the cement bench, his breaths coming out short and fast.

Had Kali fed yet? I couldn’t help but wonder how much she was struggling if she was drinking blood. It wasn’t a secret that she never wanted to become a vampire. Feeding from humans was something she would hate.

“Who are you?”

My eyes cut to Keeva, and I swallowed my shock to see her staring at me. Her brown eyes were clouded with fear, and my heart clenched. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could look at her without losing it. She was far too much of a reminder that I wasn’t with Kali. My gaze trailed down her face, stopping at the blood that was drying on the corner of her mouth. Her grip on the PARA members arm was still tight, but from the absence of his heartbeat, it was clear she’d bled him dry.

“I’m Zan,” I said quietly. “I’m getting you out of here.”

“I remember you.” She frowned. “You called me by a different name.”

Her gaze went to the uniform I was wearing.

I managed a small grin. “I’m not PARA. I’m not even human.”

My words had her sitting up, fear sweeping over her features. “Vampire?”

“Something like that.” I paused. “Have the humans told you what you are?”

“What I am?”

I arched an eyebrow. “Do you know what you just did? How you’re suddenly feeling better?”

Her gaze dropped to the dead body slumped against the bench. She ran her fingers over her mouth, horror filling her eyes.

“Norman,” I called out. “Get in here.”

I heard him arguing with Pax for a few moments before he stumbled into the small room. Keeva stiffened, and I listened to her heartbeat go haywire. Norman straightened his spine, his eyes locked on mine.

“Does she know what she is?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer.

“She didn’t need to know.”

Keeva was shaking, and I had a feeling it was a mixture of fear and rage. Her emotions were probably all over the place and she had no idea what was happening to her body. From how quickly Kali’s senses had changed, I was sure it was happening to Keeva too.

“You are a Shadow,” I told her. “Someone with powers that the humans want to use for their own gain.”

“If you’re going to tell her the truth, say it all,” Norman spat out. “Your father wants to use her in the same way. At least we want her for a good cause.”

I scoffed. “A good cause? I see how this city and others are falling apart. The civilians are getting tired of your lies. They don’t want to live like this anymore. We’ve heard about the protests. The Clovers are making more waves than we even thought possible. Soon, your fragile reign will end. But you won’t be here to see it.”

In two steps, I was in front of him, and he scurried back, hitting the wall.

“Wait,” he nearly shouted in a panic. “I did what you wanted.”

“You did,” I praised him cruelly. “But your help isn’t needed anymore.”

“You need to get out of the city.” His words came out in a rush. “I can help.”

“We already have that figured out.”

“You said you wouldn’t kill me,” he snarled, his hands landing on my chest in a useless attempt to push me away.

“You know what I am,” I murmured in a low voice. “You should have known I’d lie.”

I grabbed the sides of his face, wishing I could have made his death as painful as he deserved. But with my blood running through his veins, I had to make sure I killed him before he could heal.

“No—”

His cry was cut off when I snapped his neck. Keeva let out a gasp when his body fell heavily to the floor in a heap.

“What the fuck, Zan?” Pax grumbled as he appeared in the doorway before pushing the other PARA member into the room. “Please tell me how we’re supposed to take him with us when he’s dead?”

“We’re not.”

His eyes cut to me. “We’re just going to expose to PARA how new vampires are so weak that their basically human? They have no idea it takes a year to transition.”

“Does it really matter anymore?” I shot back. “They won’t have a chance to use it against us.”

Pax’s jaw ticked as we stared at each other. This was one of our most guarded secrets and I was about to leave Norman here, allowing humans to learn how vulnerable new vampires were. At the moment, I didn’t give a shit. Amaros was about to declare war, and unlike last time, it wouldn’t end until one side won. All I wanted was to get Kali away from it all.

“Let’s get the hell out of here,” Pax finally said, shaking his head.

“Were his words true?” Keeva asked. “You have a father who wants to use me?”

I turned to see her standing up, staring at us with distrust. Her eyes were clear and sharp, her body strong. A far cry from how she was minutes earlier or the last time I’d seen her here. I frowned, realizing her strength was probably the same as Kali’s. Which meant if she didn’t want to come with us, it could be a problem.

“Yes, it’s true,” I answered her carefully. “But we’re going to do what we can to keep you from him and from PARA.”

“Did the humans call you Keeva?” Pax asked softly, the pity in his voice evident.

Her sharp gaze darted behind me to him. “Yes.”

“You have a sister,” I said, the words flying from my mouth before I could think. “A twin.”

Keeva’s eyes widened slightly. “What?”

“Her name is Kali,” I told her, knots twisting in my stomach. “And she’s mine. My father wants her too. I’m doing whatever I can to keep her—and you—away from him.”

“Why should I trust you?” she sneered, her body going rigid. “I might have been locked away my entire life, but even I know that vampires are killers.”

“I’m not a vampire. I’m a Shadow, like you. Has PARA checked your blood?”

Her face paled slightly. “Yes.”

Pax cursed under his breath at her pained answer. They’d been testing her blood just like Amaros guessed they would. What was so special about her? About Kali? Was their blood different from other Shadows?

“We’re getting you away from PARA,” Pax said gently. “They won’t touch you again.”

“And why should I believe you?” she spat out, her eyes darting between me and Pax. “You two could be just as bad as the man you just killed.”

We were worse. But since she wasn’t our enemy, she didn’t need to know that. I bit my tongue when she lifted her chin and scowled at us. It was a mind fuck seeing the look that Kali had given me hundreds of times when she wasn’t the woman standing in front of me.

“We need to go,” I growled out impatiently. “There is a small window before we get caught.”

Pax stepped up beside me, looking at Keeva. “You have no reason to trust us. But we don’t want to hurt you. If you stay here, PARA won’t stop torturing you like they’ve been your entire life.”

Indecision swept across her face as she crossed her arms. “Fine. But if you hurt me, I won’t stop trying to kill you.”

I chuckled humorlessly. If she possessed the growing strength that Kali had, she could probably get away from us if she really tried. I guessed she had no idea the power she had inside her.

I crouched down and untied the boots of the dead PARA member. “You need to put his uniform on. It’s going to be big, but we have to make it work. It’s the only way we’ll get back on the convoy without detection.”

She nodded stiffly, not uttering a word. I heard Pax shift behind me before he began speaking.

“When we leave, you’ll stay here until Norman wakes up,” Pax said in a calm voice as he entranced the remaining guard. “When you alert the others what happened, you’ll tell them that Norman is a new vampire, and he was trying to help Keeva escape. When he tries to tell anyone that we were here, you will say that he is lying. We were never here. It was all Norman. But he got caught.”

I yanked off the boot before working on the other one. I doubted PARA would believe that Norman was doing this on his own. But none of it mattered, which was why I turned him. By the time PARA realizes that new vampires are practically human, it wouldn’t matter. This war had already started.

“We need to go,” Pax hissed. “I can hear them downstairs. They’re already getting set to leave.”

I rushed to take the rest of the clothes off. We had a few vampires from Deadwood make a ruckus in the woods so that another convoy would go out tonight, but if we didn’t get on it, we had no other plan to get out.

“Am I going to meet my twin?” Keeva asked in a whisper.

“Yes,” I answered gruffly.

I only hoped we could get both of them away from Amaros.