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“No, no, no, no,” he denies. “You are wrong. He wouldn’t go behind my back.”

“He would, and he did.”

“That is not the plan. He wouldn’t go against the plan,” he says, frantic. “Not the plan. He knew the plan,” he mumbles, his hands against his mouth.

“Is Mom helping you?” I hold my breath, waiting for his answer.

“No, why would she? She would rather wipe all shifters out.” He slashes the air. “Her boss has filled her head with nonsense. They hope that someday all of you will be extinct. She’s delusional. She doesn’t see the potential of having powers.” He hits his first against the side of his head.

“But you do?” Ryker asks.

“Of course. How does it feel? How does it feel to be so powerful?” he asks Ryker. He takes a step closer, fascination on his face as he looks at him, forgetting that Ryker could kill him before he blinks.

“Dad, please. You have to stop doing this. This isn’t you,” I plead. I step in front of Ryker. I don’t think Ryker’s answer to his question will help the situation.

“Honey, we could do this together,” he suggests. “You and I together could do anything we wanted. All you have to do is change me. I know it’s easier for vampires to change humans. That’s been the ultimate goal for me, but I haven’t been able to get a vampire. You were changed so easily.” He stares at me, studying the changes in me since the last time we saw each other. “How does it feel?

“She is not going to change you. You’re a murderer now. Giving you that kind of power would be catastrophic,” Ryker clipped.

“I would stop. I swear. Being a supernatural is all I want,” he says. “That’s alright. I really wanted to get Ryker’s attention. I had to meet The King. My goal was to meet you and join forces.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You can't go back once you cross that line, killing for your own gain,” Ryker says. “You're insane if you think I would help you.”

“I can. I promise.”

“Where are the shifters you took, Dad?” I ask.

“I won’t tell you. If you change me, I will,” he bargains.

“Fuck no,” Ryker says.

“I can tell you, they are all in pain. Can you imagine being in a cage for months and months? They are nothing but animals now,” he says, relishing the scorn on my face.

“Jesus, what happened to you? I never thought you were capable of such malice,” I say.

“You haven’t been paying attention. A desperate man will do what he must,” he says. He pulls out a gun from his back and points it at me.

“Dad,” I gasp.

“Do what I want, or I will shoot her,” he demands.

“What do you know about vampires, Bill?” Ryker asks.

“I’ve never been able to study you. I know you live a long time and have super strength. You drink blood for nutrients. I do know you can heal fast, just as shifters can,” he replies.

Ryker is suddenly behind him, with a blade at his throat, the gun tossed across the room. “You forgot one. We are fast.”

“I’ll make you a deal. Turn me, and I’ll leave you both to your life. I’ll tell you where the shifters are and where the other bodies are buried,” he says, desperate.

“No deal,” Ryker says. He pricks his skin. My father's blood trickles from his neck.

“There are no deals here, Dad. Ryker has a way of getting information from people.”

“You would let him hurt me?” he asks, hurt shining in his eyes.

“Absolutely. You tortured and killed innocents for your own gain. He can do whatever he wants to you,” I say, shaking my head sadly.

“You fucking bitch—” Ryker uses the handle of the blade to knock him out. He drops to the ground, out cold.