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“Oh, oh, yeah, well we needn’t have worried. I introduced the bioweapon in several scenarios to our blood and our venom and the results were the same every time. The bioweapon bonded with our blood as it had with our venom and created the same state of symbiosis.”

Neri shook her head. “But if I’m able to kill a shifter with my vampire venom and I’m able to shift… does that mean my vampire side and my shifter side work together?”

“It seems so.”

“But we don’tknow. What if I bit Hunter and instead of shifter venom, there’s still a possibility I will kill him with vampire venom?”

Liv patted her hand as Neri reached out and placed the plate on the table. The food churning in her stomach at the news eliminated any hunger.

“Sweetie, Hunter wouldn’t have been able to claim you if your vampire side and your shifter side weren’t compatible. Dr. Stevens, while understanding the bioweapon killed all immortals because I’m sure he watched the test on Solomon, didn’t test it on Michael, the vampire they held captive. I also believe from all the tests we ran that immortals have the same basic genetic makeup, which is why I never tested the bioweapon on our vampire blood. They happened upon a loophole and instead of killing you, they made you stronger.”

“What else have you found?” Hunter asked.

Neri searched Hunter’s gaze, and he was excited about what Liv revealed next.

“I found out which shifter’s venom they used for your transition.”

“Who?”

“Neri’s DNA shares 22% in relation with Felix, the puma rescued the night Reaper met Ara. This is the reason you couldn’t shift. It was enough venom in your bloodstream for your transition, but not enough for the characteristics of a full-fledged shifter. I believe when Hunter claimed you, the venom he released into your system strengthened your shifter DNA and now she is a half shifter, half vampire.”

They room grew silent as they took in the news. She couldn’t see what her panther form looked like, but she guessed it was like Hunter’s. As she pondered this, she glanced up and Hunter nodded.

“Yes, you look like me with the rounded ears and wide nose.”

“Which leads to the question, is this how Zahava is building her army? The shifter’s weren’t healthy. Do you remember anything about your time after your transition, Neri?”

“The first one, no, I can only recall the injection. When Hunter described the pain of transition from human to immortal, it’s not something I would forget. But if a memory surfaces, I’ll let tell you.”

Something she didn’t want to tell Hunter or Liv, shehopedher memory failed her. Some memories are best left buried.