AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Take off your boots.”
I glared at his smug face, both of us knowing full well why he wanted me to take them off. I thought keeping the stake on me was a good idea, but now I was about to lose it.
“I don’t care if you keep it on you while in Impulse,” he said, crossing his arms. “Or even when you’re in my room.”
I scoffed. “You’re more worried about me attacking you here than when you’re sleeping in your bed?”
“You’re smart, Kali.” He bent down again, catching my ankle. Instinct bubbled up, and I resisted the urge to kick him with my free foot. “Which is why I know you won’t stab me in my sleep. Because our place is locked down, and then you’d have to deal with my brothers. And you’re not going to fight me on this now, because you want to stay at the beach for as long as possible. You hide your emotions pretty well, but they were blatant when you saw the beach. You love it out here.”
I clenched my jaw, not moving a muscle as he untied one boot, and then the other. His grip on my ankle stayed firm, making it impossible to step out of my shoes.
“When I come out here, I let my guard down,” he murmured, tugging off one of my boots. “You already attacked me here once. I’m not taking any chances.”
When he slipped off my other boot, the stake fell out, landing in the sand. Zan didn’t reach for it, taking off my socks instead. He stood back up and motioned for me to go ahead of him. I faltered while taking the first step, feeling the warm sand squishing between my toes.
I’d walked barefoot along the banks of the river where the dirt was hard and the rocks were sharp. This was so completely different. Everything about the beach calmed my mind. The view. The smell. Feeling the soft sand beneath my feet. My problems seemed so far away.
I jolted when his hand landed on my lower back. He led me forward until we were near the wet sand from the waves washing onto the beach. He dropped down, grabbed my arm and pulled me until I was sitting next to him. He raised his knees, resting his arms on them while looking out at the water.
“I lied to you before,” he stated. “Once.”
My eyes cut to him as my stomach rolled uneasily. “About what?”
“You know I can walk in the sun. And about my black blood.” He tilted his head, his gaze serious. “But if I tell you the secret of why, then there’s no going back for you. You’ll be tied to me—forever. Because rumors of vampires walking in the sun can circulate, and without evidence, then it’s not an issue. But you knowing the reason why? That can’t get out.”
A chill ran down my spine. “Then why are you telling me?”
“For one reason. A selfish one.”
“You already told me I’m stuck here because of what I know,” I muttered. “I’m not sure what makes this so different.”
“It’s different,” he countered sharply. “Most vampires don’t even know this.”
That piqued my attention, and I was torn between excitement and wariness. Whatever he was planning on sharing with me would only drag me in deeper.
“And the reason you’re telling me?” I asked stiffly.
“I’ve made it pretty fucking clear that I want you to stay here. If I tell you this, then you’re here for good. No running—and if you do, I’ll find you. Because PARA and the Clovers can’t find out about this.” He turned to completely face me. “It means that you won’t be leaving, Kali.”
He could have gone on, but instead, he went silent, his eyes boring into mine. My heart stuttered, and I returned his stare, weighing my options. He was giving me an out. For as much as he threatened to keep me here, this was his way of giving me a sliver of hope to someday leave. Of getting away from vampires. From him. If he admitted whatever he wanted to tell me, then that wouldn’t be an option anymore. I would never leave.
But what if I could?
A spark traveled through my veins, and my heart jumped. Even though I was sure Zan didn’t miss it, I didn’t try to control it. He knew what he was telling me, and a reaction like this was completely normal.
But I wasn’t making the choice he thought. I’d already decided. I would find out everything I could for now. Then, if the opportunity presented itself, I’d try to leave. What I’d told Zan the other night was the truth. I wanted to save the humans. Learning this information could change everything. No matter what happened, my mind would not change. I would do anything to help humans fight against vampires, and for civilians to rise up against PARA.
“Tell me,” I said firmly.
A flash of surprise hit his eyes, and he shook his head, letting out a dark chuckle. “Why do I feel like your answer isn’t because you want to stay here with me?”
“I have nowhere to go,” I retorted. “It doesn’t matter.”
“I’m dead serious, Kali,” he murmured. “Once you know this, you’re by my side for good.”
“By your side?” I sneered. “In this world, I’m not your equal.”
He scrubbed a hand over his jaw, the familiar look of annoyance crossing his face for a split second before he grinned and scooted closer. Before I could protest, he grabbed my leg and spun me until we were facing each other. His hand stayed on my thigh, and I tried to ignore the heat that always seemed to coil in my stomach when he touched me. His eyes were guarded as he cast his gaze downward to my legs.
