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“Our strength rivals our greatest enemy.” I echoed the words I’d read. “Not mine alone.Ours.”

“You are nothing,” Amaros snarled, ripping from Keeva’s grip.

I lunged forward, landing on top of him while Keeva snatched his arm again, holding it down. I threw my fist into his cheek, and his head snapped to the side. I hit him again until his free arm came up and grasped my throat.

“Not this time,” I choked out.

With Keeva keeping his other arm imprisoned, I used both of my hands to pry his hold off my throat. He bucked under me, trying to get the upper hand again. Even though only a small amount of blood was in his veins, it was helping. I managed to stay on top of him, knowing if I failed this, I was dead. I wrenched his arm at an awkward angle, not stopping until the crack of his bone filled my ears when his elbow snapped.

He sucked in a pained breath, his eyes bright with fury and disbelief. Raising my wrist, I bit into it, tearing my skin open. Black blood dripped from the wound, and Amaros’s eyes widened when he realized what I was doing. He tried to move hisbroken arm up to knock me away, but I was faster. Grasping his jaw, I forced his mouth open before shoving my wrist over his open mouth.

“Yes,” Keeva whispered gleefully. “Give him more, Kali.”

Amaros tore his head from my grip, my blood staining his lips. “I will kill you?—”

Biting into my wrist again, I opened the wound more before slamming it against his mouth again. Keeva sat on his arm, and scooted closer to hold his jaw, not letting him close his mouth. He choked, attempting not to swallow. But his body was weakening. He wasn’t fighting as hard anymore. I was vaguely aware that it was growing quiet around us. The rain was still coming down, and there were shots from the distance, but I didn’t hear the vampires fighting anymore. I kept my eyes on his, unable to stop the smirk growing on my lips.

“You are nothing,” I murmured, repeating his words. “You willneverfucking rule this world.”

When I felt the wound closing up, I lifted my arm from his mouth only to bite it again to reopen it. He was still struggling against us, but it wasn’t enough anymore. We had him. I pressed my wrist to his mouth again as Keeva tightened her hold on his jaw.

His body began trembling, and he squeezed his eyes shut. He wasn’t trying to get away now. I watched, transfixed as the monster I had nightmares about shrunk before my eyes. He shook his head back and forth, pain crossing his face. Keeva stood up, pulling me with her as he curled up, letting out an anguished groan.

“We did it,” she murmured, shock and satisfaction mixing in her voice. “Amaros Kane is no more.”

“We don’t know that yet,” I muttered.

She crouched down, and grabbed his arm, dragging her sharp nail over his skin. Red blood dribbled out, and Amaros’s eyes flew open. I stared at the injury, counting the seconds.

“He’s not healing.” Keeva laughed. “It worked. He’s human.”

I almost didn’t believe it. He had been the enemy even before I met Zan. The vampire who started this terrible war. Now, he was lying in front of me with barely a pulse. Voices buzzed around us, and I finally tore my eyes from Amaros.

“Kali, run.”

Zan’s hushed words came from behind me, and I whirled around, my heart leaping into my throat. Surrounding him and the vampires were PARA soldiers.

Hundreds of them.

Chapter 42

Kali

“Don’t fight this, Kali.”

Keeva’s words had my eyes cutting to her. “Fight what?”

“We defeated Amaros Kane.” She spoke softly as if trying to make me understand. “It’s time to make sure PARA remains in control.”

A chill ripped down my spine. My gaze traveled over the crowd, until I finally spotted Zan. He and Pax were surrounded by PARA soldiers with their guns raised. Viggo was sprawled on the ground, lying so still that I wasn’t sure if he was breathing.

The Shadows were also standing still, half of them staring at the human soldiers with distrust. Keeva’s Shadows were at ease, and I wondered if they’d trained with PARA. Keeva stepped in the way, blocking Zan. With a scowl, I darted to the side, only to almost double over as I clutched my chest. While I was healing fast, the pain Amaros inflicted had weakened me. Keeva tilted her head, studying me.

“Move,” I snarled. “We did it. Humans don’t have to fear vampires anymore. Let it go, Keeva. We can fix the world. Make it better.”

“PARA will fix it,” she stated before her voice softened. “We can fix it. Stand beside me, Kali—in the light.”

No.