Page 5

“No, this isn’t a concern for you,” Amaros agreed. “But it is forhim.”

The door suddenly opened, revealing Pax. He looked at me immediately before reaching back and pulling someone into the living room.

I couldn’t have swallowed the gasp even if I tried. Blood drained from my face as I whipped my head toward Zan. His eyes were dark with guilt as he stayed silent. I jumped to my feet, disbelief vibrating inside me as I returned my attention to the person standing ten feet away from me.

“Warner?” I choked out in a tortured whisper. Was this some kind of game they were playing?

Warner didn’t say a word. His sad eyes met mine. Pain was etched on his features, and he stood rigidly next to Pax, not making a move to come toward me. His blond hair was a mess, and there were dark bags under his eyes. He was wearing different clothes than he had on the other night. My mind was racing as I glanced at Zan again.

“What is this?” I shrieked, not understanding any of this.

I’d seen him sprawled on the ground. No heartbeat. Not breathing. He had been gone.

When no one said a word, I strode forward, my entire body shaking as I went toward my best friend. Until Amaros stepped in my way and grabbed my arm. Disgust rolled through me when his grip turned almost painful.

“I have to admit, I was not happy to find out Zan didn’t obey my order,” Amaros murmured, his voice lethal. “But I guess in a way he still did. Though he knew.”

“Knew what?” I screamed, my heart pounding against my ribs.

“Kali, I found Warner in Project Hope when I was looking for you,” Zan cut in, his voice just as emotionless as his facial expression. “There was a fight, and he got shot. He wasn’t going to survive.”

“I don’t understand.”

I couldn’t think of anything else except the fact Warner was in front of me. Amaros didn’t release me, my struggles doing nothing.

“He was dying. Isavedhim,” Zan admitted gruffly.

I shook my head, trying to understand what he was saying. When it dawned on me, I fell absolutely still. My lips parted in shock when it all fell into place. Dread weighed down my limbs when I realized what Zan was telling me. My eyes darted between Warner and Zan.

“You saved him…” My knees threatened to buckle. “You gave him your blood?”

“I did.”

“Yes,” Amaros spoke up, sounding disappointed. “My son was well aware of what would happen when he broke Warner’s neck.”

My gaze cut back to Warner. “You’re not…you can’t be?—”

Amaros chuckled cruelly. “Yes, Kali. Your loved one is a vampire. And I have a feeling he’s going to be very valuable to us.”

Chapter 3

Zan

The tiny flash of relief I witnessed on Kali’s face when she saw Warner vanished as quickly as it appeared when she realizedhowher best friend was standing in front of her. He might not be dead, but being a vampire was nearly as bad in her eyes. My stomach was in knots, just like it had been ever since I snapped Warner’s neck. I wasn’t sure she’d ever forgive me for this. But there was no other way. If he’d gone back with PARA, they were no doubt going to kill him. At least this way, he was still alive. Though, since Amaros planned on using him, Warner might have been better off dead.

“He’s a vampire?” Kali sputtered out, grief thick in her voice.

“Yes,” Amaros answered, his eyes drifting to Warner. “And he is going to come with us.”

Kali stiffened, already knowing where my father was going with this. “He has nothing to do with this.”

“Oh, I disagree.” Amaros began dragging her toward the exit, and I quickly followed. “You care about him. So, he’s the leverage I need to make sure you do what I want.”

“No,” she screamed as he hauled her down the steps. “You can’t do this to him.”

I was clenching my teeth so hard pain shot across my jaw, and I nearly swung when Viggo gripped my shoulder. He came up beside me, and when I glared at him, he shook his head in warning. He could tell I was about to lose it from our father touching her. Pax was forcing Warner down the steps behind us, and Kali didn’t stop yelling until we were in Impulse.

When Amaros finally released her, she instantly ran behind the counter to where Gia was standing. She didn’t want to be anywhere near us, but she had no issue standing right next to Gia. Though, the second her eyes went to Warner, she nearly abandoned her spot to go to him. Until Amaros got in her way.