Page 106 of Bite of Vengeance
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.”
