42. Kali
Chapter 42
Kali
“ D on’t fight this, Kali.”
Keeva’s words had my eyes cutting to her. “Fight what?”
“We defeated Amaros Kane.” She spoke softly as if trying to make me understand. “It’s time to make sure PARA remains in control.”
A chill ripped down my spine. My gaze traveled over the crowd, until I finally spotted Zan. He and Pax were surrounded by PARA soldiers with their guns raised. Viggo was sprawled on the ground, lying so still that I wasn’t sure if he was breathing.
The Shadows were also standing still, half of them staring at the human soldiers with distrust. Keeva’s Shadows were at ease, and I wondered if they’d trained with PARA. Keeva stepped in the way, blocking Zan. With a scowl, I darted to the side, only to almost double over as I clutched my chest. While I was healing fast, the pain Amaros inflicted had weakened me. Keeva tilted her head, studying me.
“Move,” I snarled. “We did it. Humans don’t have to fear vampires anymore. Let it go, Keeva. We can fix the world. Make it better.”
“PARA will fix it,” she stated before her voice softened. “We can fix it. Stand beside me, Kali—in the light.”
No.
This wasn’t right. No part of this felt good. Staring into my twin’s eyes only filled me with dread. How could her way be the light when every part of me was screaming that it was wrong?
“Rowan is in the building. He’s alive, but barely.”
A soldier stepped up to Keeva, and I tensed, moving back. He was in uniform from head to toe with a mask and goggles on. Just like Rowan did the night I met him, this soldier had patches covering his chest. He was one of the humans who was in charge. Would Keeva obey him like she did Rowan?
Keeva’s eyes darkened as she threw a glare at Amaros, who was still lying in the mud, his chest heaving. “He’ll pay for everything he did to Rowan. And to all the other humans.”
“What?” I frowned. “He needs to die. Keeping him alive does nothing.”
“He will live out the rest of his human life in misery,” she replied, staring at me questioningly. “He deserves it. Don’t you agree?”
Amaros Kane probably deserved worse than what PARA would do to him. But it didn’t change the fact that I would never feel safe if he was still in this world. The soldier was turned toward me, but with his mask, I had no idea if he was looking at me or Keeva. It was clear that he was on edge with how stiffly he was standing.
“Let’s go,” Keeva urged, holding out her hand to me.
I didn’t move a muscle. “Go where?”
She smiled. “To change the world.”
“Zan is coming with me,” I said, my voice sharp. “And his brothers.”
She tsked. “They’re Kanes. They were never going to win this war.”
“They’re Shadows. Just like us.” My voice came out shrill, knowing I was outnumbered. There were so many soldiers surrounding us, and I wasn’t even sure if the Shadows who knew Keeva would follow me.
“That monster raised them,” she nearly screamed, pointing at Amaros. “They’re just as bad.”
“Rowan wants her alive,” the soldier said gruffly, reaching for his gun.
“Touch me, and I kill you,” I threatened, my voice stone cold.
Keeva chuckled, shaking her head. “That fight weakened you. You’re still healing. You’re not a match for us. Please, just come with me.”
The rain dripped from my hair and onto my face as I met her eyes. We were identical in every way. But the anger, the hate swirling in her eyes had my heart stuttering. Was this how I looked when I met Zan? When I used to look at any vampire?
“Run, Kali. Go.”
Zan’s voice was barely above a whisper, but it was clear Keeva had heard him when she spun around. I snatched her arm, yanking her back.
“You won’t touch him,” I snapped.
I didn’t see the stake in her hand until it was too late. She plunged it into my ribs, making me cry out as pain swallowed me. She pulled it out only to shove it into my other side. Zan’s enraged voice filled the air, and my pulse thrashed when shots went off. I raised my head but couldn’t see him when Keeva was in the way. Two soldiers appeared, each of them grabbing one of my arms and began dragging me away. I flailed in their hold, managing to pull free.
“Leave her alone.” Rya came into sight, grabbing one of the men by the throat and throwing him to the ground.
“Calm down.” Keeva came up, and wrapped her arm around my waist, trapping one of my own. “We’re all on the same side. I can smell your scent. You’re one of us.”
“You’re hurting her,” Rya growled, fury vibrating her voice.
I groaned when Keeva squeezed me tighter, agitating the healing stab wounds. She was right; I was fucking weak from fighting Amaros. I needed blood or I wouldn’t stand a chance.
“You were born to follow me just like you do Kali.” Danger lurked in Keeva’s voice. “Or am I wrong?”
“No,” I ground out. “They’ll listen. Come with me, Rya.”
Keeva didn’t protest when Rya walked next to us, sneaking glances at me. I didn’t struggle in Keeva’s hold because there was no point. Right now, she could overpower me. She still had the stake in her other hand, waiting to see if I’d fight against her.
“Don’t kill him,” I said in a low voice, despising that I sounded like I was begging. “Please.”
“Maybe we can change PARA’s mind,” she replied. “I guess that depends on you.”
Rage slid through my veins as I swallowed my words. If she thought I would bow to her, she was very much mistaken. I just needed a chance to feed. To gain my strength again. And Zan needed to stay alive during that time.
“Kali,” Zan bellowed before a pained grunt filled the air.
Keeva upped her pace as I struggled to look over my shoulder, my fear for Zan intensifying. But all I could see was the crowd of Shadows following us, along with the soldier who had been talking to Keeva.
“You’re better without him,” she murmured. “You’ll see.”
I pressed my lips together, refusing to argue with her. The massive building came into view with the door already open. Keeva didn’t let me go, nearly dragging me across the shiny tile. The bright lights were a sharp contrast to the night sky. I studied the large room, noticing it the same metal walls and floor as the one I was trapped in at Project Hope. If the Shadows stayed here, it must have been on a different floor. There was nothing in here at all.
She finally released me, and I barely managed to stay on my feet. Rya was next to me in a second, helping me stand. She caught my eye, worry filling her gaze.
“I’m fine,” I told her, giving her a small smile.
“Let me see her.” Rowan’s weak voice came from behind me.
Straightening my shoulders, I slowly turned around. Rowan was a few feet away, and he looked terrible. Dried blood was smeared over his broken nose, and he couldn’t even stand straight. His heart was pounding, and he clutched his ribs as he hobbled closer.
“You’re the reason for all of this,” he snarled, raising his gun. “Joining Shadows with the Clovers? You think we wouldn’t find out?”
I forced out a cold laugh, knowing it would piss him off. “Find out? What does that change? The Clovers are fighting alongside the Shadows. Creatures who even your best PARA soldiers can’t compare to. And even if I’m not leading them, they won’t stop.”
Keeva frowned, her eyes darting to the Shadows surrounding us. At least seventy of them were ones who had been with me since we left Amaros’s property, and their fierce gazes proved they would follow me anywhere.
With an enraged yell, he moved to hit me with his gun. My arm lashed out, and I grabbed his wrist, squeezing it until he grunted in pain.
“I am not in chains anymore,” I growled, my voice deadly. “You think you can hurt me? I will fucking rip you apart.”
Keeva’s fingers wrapped around my arm, and she tore my grip off Rowan, pushing me back. “Stop. I want you to work with us, Kali.”
“Don’t you see?” I shrieked, staring at her. “Rowan—PARA—they are not the fucking light. They want control. Power. They’re using you and me to get it. Life shouldn’t be like this.”
“You’re wrong,” she argued, her eyes clouding with annoyance. “I’m trying to save you.”
I laughed bitterly. “Save me from what?”
“The dark,” Rowan answered, keeping his gun aimed at me. “Your twin is right. We want to help you.”
“By torturing me for nearly two weeks? I will never bow to you.”
He pulled the trigger, and I hunched forward when the bullet tore through my flesh, burying itself in my lower stomach. I swallowed my groan when he shot me again in the thigh. A few Shadows began yelling in fury, their footsteps drawing closer.
“It’s okay,” Keeva tried to soothe them. “She’s not in danger.”
“She is. PARA is no friend to us,” Rya seethed, and I glanced at her, my heart panging when I caught the torn look on her face. Her instincts were to trust me and Keeva.
Rowan shot me again, and I fell to my knees when it clipped my ankle. Every breath was agonizing.
But my rage?
That was burning even hotter.
“I’m fine, Rya,” I said calmly, lifting my head to meet her quizzical stare. “I just need to feed. That’s all. And Rowan? He knows that he’s nothing. That’s why he’s doing this.” My eyes cut to him. “How does it feel? To be in the presence of two women who hold power you will never be able to fucking touch? To know that without us, your reign will crumble?”
My words had the effect I wanted when he stormed up to me, and grabbed my throat, his eyes wild with rage. “Do I look like I don’t have power? I hold yours right now.”
My grin was steeped in malice. “I was born with this power. And no one will ever fucking take it from me.”