Page 41 of Bite of Vengeance
We were right inside the gate of Project Hope, in the small room that every vehicle had to go through for precautions. The walls were a shiny metal, and fluorescent lights covered the entire area. Thanks to Warner, we knew what process to expect. I watched as the driver got out and went straight to the door in the back of the room.
The light above the door was red for a few moments before it flashed green. Pax rolled his shoulders before going to the same door and disappearing inside. I held my breath, staring at the light until it flashed green. I unclenched my fists, relief unraveling the knots in my stomach.
With more confidence, I rushed past the last PARA member and entered the room. It was so small that my head brushed the ceiling, and I couldn’t even stretch my arms out. A small probe was poking out of the wall, and I lifted my mask, resting my forehead against it. I’d taken off the heating pouch just a few minutes ago.
“Temperature within normal range,” a computerized voice echoed through the tiny space.
A click alerted me that the door on the other side unlocked, and I pulled the mask back in place before exiting. Pax was waiting for me, and I surveyed the area, taking in the number of PARA members surrounding me. I was expecting it and acted natural as Pax and I strode across the large room. There were a few utility vehicles parked along the concrete wall.
The building we were in was where most government business happened. One of their armories was on a different floor above us. Building 1403 was just down the street, and since that was their most secure structure, we were guessing that’s where Keeva was still being held.
Pax blew out a breath once we pushed the door open and stepped outside. The sun was down, and the city was silent. Everyone was already inside for the night. Even though vampires weren’t supposed to be able to come inside these walls, PARA was already preparing as if it would happen. Or they were planning for a different kind of attack. Civilians were becoming restless. Angry. Tired of the control. The government was attempting to keep them weak and scared. It wouldn’t last forever. Sooner or later, the people would face their fear and fight back.
“In and out,” Pax said under his breath. “She’s probably still on the fourth floor.”
“I’m sure they added security since the last time we broke in there.”
He nodded in agreement as we strode down the street, acting as if we were patrolling. Once we got to building 1403, I punched in the code that Collin gave me. The door unlocked and we slipped inside, my guard rising as I surveyed the hall.
“Stairs.” Pax jerked a nod to the left.
I eyed the keypad on the door before punching in the same number. It blinked red and stayed locked. “Shit.”
“It’s too early for us to set off an alarm,” Pax said quietly. “We need to find a quiet way up there.”
Turning my head, I peered at the light spilling out of the open door. “Let’s hope he doesn’t have hawthorn.”
We quickly jogged down the narrow hall, halting in front of the door. The man was sitting behind the desk, and he raised his eyes when he heard us. Pax cursed under his breath, but my reaction was far different.
A cruel smirk curled up my lips. “This is even better.”
Norman frowned, and anger flooded my veins as I stepped into his office. I hadn’t seen this asshole since the night they tried taking Kali when she found out she had black blood.
“What do you two want?” he clipped out, dropping his pen.
I chuckled. He thought we were PARA. Pax glanced at me, waiting to see how I wanted to play this. I grabbed the hem of the mask and pulled it off. Pax grumbled under his breath before doing the same.
Norman shot to his feet, shock plastered on his face. He dove for the radio that was in front of him, and I flew into the room, reaching over the desk to grab his wrist. He jutted his chin out defiantly, meeting my eyes. Which meant he was confident I couldn’t entrance him. He either had it in his system or on his body.
“How did you get in here?” he hissed, panic filling his voice.
I tore the radio from his hand. “Doesn’t matter. What does matter is that the last time you were in my presence, you tried taking my girl from me. Then you hit her. I’ve been waiting to see you again.”
His face paled as he struggled to pull his wrist out of my grip. “Are you two trying to ruin the deal we have with your father?”
“Deal?” Pax snickered. “There was never a deal.”
“We need to get to the fourth floor,” I murmured, threat in my voice. “You’re going to help us.”
“Fuck you,” he snarled. “I take hawthorn every day. You can’t get into my head.”
“You should have given that option to your men,” I stated coldly. “Then we never would have been able to breach the city. But you humans are just as arrogant as vampires sometimes.”
He let out a yell when I yanked his arm, dragging him over his desk. Papers flew everywhere, and he fought uselessly against my hold. Once I had him in front of me, I slammed his back onto the wood, wrapping my fingers around his throat, and squeezing until he choked on his scream.
“I could torture you, but we don’t have time for that.” Bringing my wrist to my mouth, I bit down, ignoring the twinge of pain as I shoved it to his mouth. Fear flooded his eyes as he clawed at my arm. “You know what my blood really does, don’t you?”
Releasing him, I backed away as he spluttered and coughed, wiping my black blood off his lips. He got to his feet, glaring at us with loathing.
