Page 47 of Bound By Blood

“Why did my father have him killed?” he asked her. “What purpose would that serve?”

“Because he was threatened by it,” she told him. “To him, humans and vampires aren’t meant to mix. To him, vampires are strong, and humans are weak. Your father’s greatest fear is the unknown, and the unknown was staring him in the face.”

Landon shook his head in confusion. “What about this bond made my father feel threatened? I don’t understand.” It didn’t make any sense to him. His father did, in fact, see humans as weak. So, he couldn’t see why a bond with one would threaten him.

Kata leaned against the wall next to the fireplace, wrapping her arms around herself. “He feared that a new race would be created and that this hybrid race would uproot him from his place of power.” She chuckled darkly and shook her head. “To ensure that the line ended with my mate, he had his entire bloodline slaughtered.” She paused long enough to look over at Carly. “But it would appear that one escaped his wrath.”

“What do you mean a new race would be created?” he asked, not bothering to hide his surprise.

Kata pointed at Carly with her forehead. “Her bloodline is the only one that can procreate with a vampire.”

Her response caused Landon to pause as his entire body went rigid. “Procreate. As in…”

“Babies, Landon. She’s talking about babies,” Carly interrupted rudely before she cursed under her breath.

Landon shook his own head, refusing to believe what he was hearing. “No. That’s not possible. Vampires can’t procreate!”

“Says you,” Kata retorted with a wicked smile. “If you knew all the answers, you wouldn’t be here, would you?”

It was Landon’s turn to curse under his breath. Kata was right, he didn’t have all the answers, which was why they were there. But being able to procreate? He and Carly had already had sex, and because he didn’t think it was possible for him to get someone pregnant, he hadn’t used protection. If she did end up carrying his child, and his father ever found out…

“I see your thoughts, Creed,” Kata stated, interrupting his rampant thoughts. “It’s only a matter of time before he learns of Carly. What will you do then, hmm?

“I will do what I have to,” he snarled bitterly.

The words had been out of his mouth before he could even process their meaning. The conversation with Kata was getting him emotional, and he was beginning to lose control of the darkness inside of him. But there was no denying the truth of his words either. He would do whatever he needed to do in order to protect Carly.

Kata shook her head. “Protectiveness. I was just as sure as you were that I could eliminate the threats. I assure you, you’ll never see it coming.”

“What other choice do I have?” he asked pointedly. “Is there even a way to break the bond?”

“Break it?” Kata chortled and cocked her head to the side. “Why would you want to break it?”

“Why do you think, Kata?” he asked flatly. “To protect her. You know who my father is and what he’s capable of. You know what he did to you and the one you were bonded to. You claim that I won’t be able to protect her any other way. So, what choice do I really have here?”

He was grateful at that moment that Carly was keeping true to her word and was letting him do all the talking. He knew that it wasn’t what she wanted, but he didn’t see any other way. Not if he wanted to keep her safe. And alive.

“That won’t protect her,” Kata waved her hand in the air, brushing him off. “And I’d wager that he already knows too. Tell me, who have you told? Hmm? Is there anyone who knows that you search for answers about a bond?”

“Just the elders,” he admitted. “But they know not to say anything.”

“Anyone who doesn’t say anything will die when he learns of it,” she growled. “You truly think they’re loyal to you and you alone?”

Kata was beginning to really try his patience. He had tried to give her some leeway, considering all she had been through and the centuries of solitude, but he didn’t appreciate her questioning his ability to lead either. His father may be the one in charge of the vampires, but Landon was his second in command. He demanded loyalty and respect as well, and those who didn’t give that to him had a tendency to meet an untimely end.

“Then what do you suggest?” he exclaimed angrily. “All you are saying is how doomed we both are that the bond even occurred. You aren’t giving us any solutions.”

Kata studied his face for a moment. “Take her,” she said simply. “Take her and run. Go somewhere where your father cannot reach.”

Landon was shaking his head before she even finished speaking. “No. I won’t rip her from her life. Tell me how to break the bond, Kata.”

With a heavy sigh, an expression of sorrow replaced Kata’s pinched anger. “Death is the only way to break it, I’m afraid.”

Landon nodded, mostly to himself. He had expected that. With the bond being as strong as it was, he knew it would take something equally as strong to break it. Thankfully, he was willing to do whatever it took to protect Carly. Even if it meant giving up his own life.

“Tell me how I can protect her once the bond is broken then. Is there a spell or something I can use to hide her from my father after I’m gone?” he inquired.

“No,” Carly stated firmly, rising from the couch. “No. I won’t allow it.”