AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Your friend has interesting beliefs,” Zan replied, returning to the prior conversation. “Looking at the rest of the world like we’re skeptics.”
“Skeptics of what?” I asked, growing impatient as I tried to figure out what he was talking about.
“Vampires are arrogant creatures,” Asami said, no judgment in her voice. “They can’t possibly believe that there are other things that roam the earth.”
“There are humans who believe in magic,” Zan grated out. “Natural magic. Crystals, full moons, eclipses. They think it all plays a part in the larger picture.”
“Like witches?” I asked.
Asami shook her head. “No. We don’t believe in magic like that. We don’t practice magic. We believe that everything in nature is balanced. Vampires exist for a reason. Other things probably do too. But like everything else, there has to be a balance, or vampires would take over everything.”
I gaped at her, unable to fully process what she was saying. I’d known her for nearly my entire life, and this was the first time she’d ever said anything like this.
“Or the world just exists as it is,” Zan retorted. “Vampires exist just like humans, and that’s it.”
Asami tilted her head. “If you believe that, then why are you so curious about the woman who mentioned nature’s balance?”
“I didn’t connect it to that belief.” Zan shook his head. “If that’s the case, then we can drop it. That doesn’t interest me.”
I wasn’t sure whether he was telling the truth, but I was curious. I wanted to know the woman Zan was talking about. But now wasn’t the time to ask.
“I need to get back to Project Hope.” Asami pulled me into another hug. “Read those papers. It was so good to see you, Kali.”
I almost asked if she wanted to stay. But clearly, she didn’t. Even if she did, this wasn’t the kind of life she’d enjoy.
“You can’t go back alone,” I said, worry settling in my chest. “Not when it’s almost dark.”
“How do we know she’s not going to run back and tell PARA about this?” Zan asked gruffly.
“Tell them what?” I snapped. “She doesn’t know anything. PARA already knows about this place. And Asami wouldn’t do that. She might not be a Clover, but she’s not with the government either.”
We stared at each other for a few seconds before he let out a sigh.
“The twins will take her back,” he grumbled. “But only to the tunnel.”
“Thank you,” I said quietly.
Asami was watching our exchange with interest but didn’t comment on it as she gave me one last hug.
“Be careful, Kali,” she whispered in my ear. “Things in this world are changing. And I think I was right about my feeling all those years ago—that you’re right in the middle of it.”
Chapter 21
Kali
Breaking News
Three more bodies were found. Like the others, the deaths were not covered up. They were found out in the open, in large cities. All were drained of blood, with marks on their necks. Police will not comment, as the investigation is still ongoing. Citizens across the country, and the world, are growing uneasy as the number of these mysterious deaths grows.
Groups of paranormal believers have been trying to gain media attention by standing in front of government buildings and chanting about vampires. They believe monsters walk among us, and it’s being covered up. The number of these people is growing by the day as these curious deaths continue to climb. A year ago, talk like this would have been laughed at.
But the fear of the unknown is heightening with each passing day. The rumors of a serial killer have been circulating. But how is that possible when the murders span the world?
With a sigh, I set the article down. It was hard to imagine a world when humans didn’t know vampires were real. I was born into this and couldn’t picture the life of peace that existed decades ago.
I was sitting in Zan’s bed, propped up by pillows, finally looking at the papers that Asami had given me. It had been over a week since her visit, and I’d only read maybe half of what she’d given me so far. Zan had glanced at them, but once he realized the majority were old newspaper articles, he lost interest quickly. And he’d barely given me any time to relax and read them.
After we came to the agreement that I wouldn’t ignore him as long as he didn’t do what his father wanted, he seemed intent on spending as much time with me as possible. Or making sure I didn’t wallow in self-pity. If I wasn’t going to the beach or at the park training with him, I was down at Impulse, working with Gia. Time was passing quickly, and even though Amaros and everything else were always present in the back of my mind, I wasn’t obsessing over it. It would swallow me whole if I did.
