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“I don’t trust you,” she snapped.

“I know this, Kali.”

“I’m still angry at you.”

“I expected nothing different.”

“Ihatewhat you did to Warner.” Her voice trembled slightly.

“I knew you would.”

“But I can’t hate you,” she breathed out, sounding tortured. “And I don’t know why.”

My grip on her tightened as we lay there in silence. Her body remained tense for a while until she finally lost the fight to pure exhaustion. She relaxed in my hold, her breaths even and slow as she slept. I buried my face into the crook of her neck, inhaling her sweet scent. It was different than it used to be when she was human. Her scent was still sweet but had a sharp edge. Yet, it was still just as addictive.

My father might be right to be worried. I’d never questioned him until Kali came along. My feelings for her were rivaling my loyalty to my own blood. Something I never thought would be possible.

And I didn’t know what to do about it.

Chapter 6

Kali

“Idon’t want to do this,” I said, staring at the front entrance of the Pen with apprehension filling me. “Please, Zan.”

“Now, now, Kali. Don’t make me force my hand.” The sinister voice came from behind me.

The blood drained from my face when Amaros appeared out of the darkness. Zan’s shoulders tensed slightly, but he didn’t say a word when his father stepped beside him.

“You want your friend to stay safe, don’t you?” Amaros asked, cruelty lacing his voice. “One word from me, and Gia’s hospitality will end. Then she’ll show him how we treat our prisoners.”

I glared daggers at him. “I don’t understand what you want me to do in there.”

“Nothing,” he said simply. “I want to see how they react to you.”

“Why?”

“Zan,” he said sharply, looking away from me with irritation.

I scowled when Zan gripped me above the elbow, dragging me toward the door. Just like last time, there were four vampiresstanding guard in front of the building. They moved to the side when Zan gave them a short nod. One of them raised the key, unlocking and opening the door before moving out of the way. I didn’t need to look behind me to know Amaros was following. I could feel his presence, and he was much too close for my liking.

We entered the small room that had the second locked door, and once the vampire behind us closed the exterior door, Zan released me so he could slide the bolt on the door in front of us. My eyes adjusted to the dark faster than usual, making my stomach flip from the change. I tracked Zan’s movements as best as I could, just making out his shadow in the darkness, which was something my human eyes wouldn’t have been able to do. I could see even better than when I was in Zan’s room a few hours ago.

I jerked when a hand landed on my lower back, and Amaros pushed me forward. Zan opened the door, allowing light to stream into the small space we were in. I’d already been moving which meant Amaros was touching me just because he wanted to. Loathing tore through me, and before I realized what I was doing, I glanced over my shoulder to glare at him.

Something jolted through my veins as I locked eyes with his. My body was buzzing with a foreign emotion. It only happened when I was angry, but every time the feeling only grew more intense. It was nearly overwhelming, but not in a bad way. If anything, I was feeding off it. As much as I was fighting against this transition, I welcomed this.

Power.

Strength.

I couldn’t control it, but I was sure that would change. I watched Amaros as he strode past me, and I clenched my fists, hoping my strength would someday rival his. Zan and his father believed I was something special. But it wouldn’t do me any goodif Amaros could still overpower me. I’d seen him fight. I knew how old he was. I was nothing compared to him. At least not yet.

Zan grabbed my hand, pulling me from my thoughts. He led me farther into the large room just like last time, and I scanned the area, growing more anxious as Shadows surrounded us. There were so many of them, I didn’t understand how Zan and Amaros didn’t worry about walking in here. They might be strong, but could they really fight against all of these Shadows?

“I remember you.”

I spun around to see a female Shadow. My eyes traveled over her sharp features, and the confused frown on her lips. It was the same one who had spoken to me the last time I was here. This time her dirty blonde hair was braided and hanging over her shoulder. Zan cut in front of me, causing the Shadow to back up a couple steps.