Page 43 of Bite of Vengeance
“She’s fine,” Norman sputtered out when I shoved him into the wall again. “She’s refusing food. If she’s hungry enough, she’ll eat.”
“She’s a Shadow. Something you know,” I said slowly, trying to restrain myself from killing him. “She doesn’t need food. She needs fucking blood.”
Norman pressed his lips together, his jaw muscle ticking. I shook my head, letting out a humorless chuckle. This fucking asshole.
“You know what she needs,” I murmured. “You haven’t given it to her because you’re scared of her power.”
“Rowan wanted to wait,” Norman forced out through clenched teeth. “She’s still alive.”
“You’re lucky you have hawthorn running through your veins.” I threw him to the floor. “Or I’d offer your blood to her.”
“Kali’s fine,” Pax said as he came closer.
My gaze snapped to him. “What?”
“You see Keeva, but you’re thinking of Kali. She’s okay. Viggo wouldn’t let her suffer if she needed blood.”
Sometimes I forgot how well my brother could read me. Pulling the mask off, I scrubbed my hand over my face, forcing myself to calm down. Fury bristled down my spine. I wanted to be there for Kali when she had to feed for the first time. But thanks to my father, I was here instead. If Keeva was this bad off, I was sure Kali was too.
“We need to hurry.” Pax nodded to the PARA member he’d entranced. “Let her feed, or we’ll never get out of here undetected. I’ll watch Norman.”
I grabbed the guy’s arm, pulling him into the cell. The worry that had been radiating through me all week only heightened as I stared at Keeva again. All I fucking wanted was to be with Kali.
“Don’t make a sound,” I ordered, forcing myself to concentrate. “Don’t fight me.”
I raised his arm, tugging his sleeve up before sinking my fangs into his wrist. I sucked a couple times, making sure the wound was open enough. Lifting my mouth from him, I glanced at Keeva, who was still lying on her back with her body trembling. I tugged the guy closer before putting him on his knees. Gripping her jaw, I opened her mouth before pressing his bloodied wrist to her lips.
She didn’t react at first, but then I could see when she tasted the blood. She coughed, attempting to tilt her head, but I held fast, keeping his wrist to her lips. Her throat bobbed as she swallowed thickly before sucking harder. She raised her hand, grabbing the man’s arm as if making sure to keep him in place. I listened to his heart, hearing it beat slower and slower as shefed. He sagged against the cement bench, his breaths coming out short and fast.
Had Kali fed yet? I couldn’t help but wonder how much she was struggling if she was drinking blood. It wasn’t a secret that she never wanted to become a vampire. Feeding from humans was something she would hate.
“Who are you?”
My eyes cut to Keeva, and I swallowed my shock to see her staring at me. Her brown eyes were clouded with fear, and my heart clenched. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could look at her without losing it. She was far too much of a reminder that I wasn’t with Kali. My gaze trailed down her face, stopping at the blood that was drying on the corner of her mouth. Her grip on the PARA members arm was still tight, but from the absence of his heartbeat, it was clear she’d bled him dry.
“I’m Zan,” I said quietly. “I’m getting you out of here.”
“I remember you.” She frowned. “You called me by a different name.”
Her gaze went to the uniform I was wearing.
I managed a small grin. “I’m not PARA. I’m not even human.”
My words had her sitting up, fear sweeping over her features. “Vampire?”
“Something like that.” I paused. “Have the humans told you what you are?”
“What I am?”
I arched an eyebrow. “Do you know what you just did? How you’re suddenly feeling better?”
Her gaze dropped to the dead body slumped against the bench. She ran her fingers over her mouth, horror filling her eyes.
“Norman,” I called out. “Get in here.”
I heard him arguing with Pax for a few moments before he stumbled into the small room. Keeva stiffened, and I listened to her heartbeat go haywire. Norman straightened his spine, his eyes locked on mine.
“Does she know what she is?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer.
