Bite of Vengeance (Shadows of War #3)

25. Kali

Chapter 25

Kali

I stared at Zan as he sparred against a Shadow, a peace settling in my chest unlike anything I’d ever felt before. We were bonded . Just like Pax suspected. But it was nothing like I imagined a bond would be. My feelings for him hadn’t changed. But there was no doubt. Every fiber of my soul knew I belonged to him, just as he belonged to me. That my choice in wanting him was my true path.

I loved him, which was something I knew before. I wanted to spend every day—every fucking moment with him. Our souls were connected, never to be divided again.

“How long do you think they’ll be gone?” Rya asked, pulling my attention away from Zan. Both of us were sitting on top of one of the tables, watching the Shadows train.

Pax and Viggo had left three nights ago, along with five Shadows and Warner. Zan was more than a little uneasy that his brothers were willingly putting themselves in danger to talk to the Clovers. But the Clovers didn’t travel in large groups, and I was confident they’d be fine. And we needed to do this. If we could make allies with the Clovers, then we might have a chance to defeat PARA. I’d wanted to go, but Zan and his brothers were vehemently against it.

“Warner said their camp was pretty far,” I answered. “I think they’ll be gone at least a week.”

“And we just stay here in this underground prison,” she grumbled. “I thought we’d be free after leaving the Pen.”

Guilt clawed in my chest. “It’s only temporary, Rya. We can’t let Amaros find us. Once they get back, we’ll make a plan to leave.”

“I know.” She wrapped her arms around her knees. “I’m just ready to spend a day in the sun.”

“We will,” I promised. “I want all of you to have the lives you want. That’s why we’re doing this.”

She nodded, looking back at the fight. Zan was prowling in a circle, sweat coating his bare chest. My stomach heated, and I bit my tongue. Zan and I had spent the better part of two days in bed. While all I wanted to do was lock myself away with him and forget about the world, we didn’t have that luxury now. It was my responsibility to make sure the Shadows were taken care of. That included making sure they could protect themselves.

I’d been training with Keeva privately, and even though she wasn’t raised like I was, she caught on fast, and with her strength, she would be a force to be reckoned with in a short time. She was smart and quick. But she was more standoffish than I was. Getting her to talk was nearly impossible. I thought it wouldn’t have taken long for us to get close, but that wasn’t the case. Maybe she didn’t like me. Or maybe she was resentful that I was the twin who got away from PARA as a baby.

“What do you think of Keeva?” I asked Rya under my breath. My twin was on the other side of the compound, getting a blood bag, making me confident she couldn’t overhear me.

Her eyes cut to me. “I’ve barely spoken to her.”

“I know. But you knew I was important when you first met me. Was it like that for her?”

She hesitated. “Yes. She pulls us to her just like you do. But it’s different.”

“Different how?”

“I’m not sure how to explain it. We trust you, Kali. We want you to lead us because we feel like you want the best life for us.” She paused as if choosing her next words carefully. “With your twin, there is a tug—something telling me to follow her too. But it’s different. Maybe it’s because I don’t know her like I do you.”

I took in her answer, having only more questions. I’d already talked to Gia, but she didn’t have any information about my mother’s note that she’d written to me when I was born. The dark, the light , I had no idea what it meant. Amaros had uttered the same words the night my blood turned black.

“We’re done for today. We’ll pick it up in the morning.”

Zan’s voice boomed across the large room as he shoved the Shadow away from him. Most of them threw him venomous glances, still hating that a Kane was here. But they were allowing it for my benefit.

Zan picked his shirt up off the floor before striding toward me. I grinned when he leaned down, pressing his lips against mine.

“Let’s go to bed,” he ordered, hauling me into his arms, and carrying me away.

“Zan, we can’t. We have things to do.” I giggled when he buried his head in the crook of my neck and nipped at my throat. “Put me down.”

He let out a groan. “What do you have to do? You wanted them to train, I did that for you. The blood has been rationed, but we have enough right now. What else do you need to do today?”

“I haven’t talked to Keeva yet.” By now we were in one of the tunnels where I couldn’t even hear the Shadows.

He sighed, releasing his hold. “I’m going to admit this, fully aware that I sound like a selfish asshole. But I hate having to share you.”

“I have family, just like you do. The difference is, I didn’t grow up with her like you did your brothers.” I lowered my voice to a whisper. “I don’t think she likes me.”

His gaze softened. “Give it time. She’s been here less than a week. I think she’s even less trustful than you, and that’s saying something.”

“I know.” She had valid reasons for how closed off she was. I’d just thought she’d open up to me more. “I’m going to go find her.”

He kissed my forehead. “I’ll see you later. Don’t be long.”

“Impatient as always,” I muttered, giving him a teasing smile.

“Don’t test it, Kali,” he warned, desire flooding his voice. “I can only be patient for so long.”

I laughed lightly even though I knew he was dead serious. I pulled the collar of his shirt, bringing him to my height and giving him a quick kiss before striding down the tunnel. I could feel his burning stare on my back, but kept my eyes forward, knowing my self-control would snap and I’d go with him instead of finding Keeva.

I wandered through the tunnels, throwing my hearing, but I couldn’t hear her voice. My sense of smell was getting better every day, but I couldn’t track her scent either. Where was she?

After searching around for a while, I finally caught her scent. I took three wrong turns before her smell became stronger, and I was finally getting closer.

“Keeva,” I called out when I spotted her turning down another tunnel.

She paused, looking over her shoulder. “Oh. Hi.”

I hesitated, her brush-off hitting me hard. But I kept walking toward her, determined to make a connection.

“I’m a little busy,” she said, a frown on her lips as I fell into step with her.

“With what?”

Her jaw clenched. “Just exploring.”

She was lying . I studied her out of the corner of my eye, slightly caught off guard that even the way we walked was identical.

“This place is huge,” I said, trying to make conversation. “But it ends right up here.”

“I know.”

She continued on, and I nodded at the Shadow who was standing at the ladder, guarding the entrance.

“I’ll see you later.” She grabbed the side of the ladder and began climbing up.

Both the Shadow and I made protests, and I rushed forward, grabbing her ankle as she climbed the ladder.

“Stop,” I hissed. “We can’t go outside.”

“Why?” she shot back. “We are hours from anywhere. I just want to see the sun. I won’t be long.”

“Keeva, don’t. If PARA or the vampires find us, all of this will be for nothing.”

She kicked out her leg, attempting to shake off my tight grip. “I am not a prisoner here. I spent years in the dark. All I want is to feel the grass under my feet. To experience the sun warming my skin. Give me five minutes. Please.”

My hold relaxed at the pleading in her voice. It was the same way I’d felt when I fled from Project Hope.

“Shit,” I muttered as I began climbing up after her. “Five minutes, but I’m coming with you.”

“I don’t need a chaperone.”

“You’re not going alone,” I shot back before looking down at the Shadow. “Don’t lock this hatch. We’ll be back in a few minutes.”