Page 117

Crouching low, still covered in shadow, I watched a male leave someone’s home, bidding him good night. He headed towards a collection of small, darkened huts. Given the various sizes of the broken-down homes I’d seen, it looked like the type of place assigned to those without families.

I followed him through the small pathways between buildings,ducking around a corner as he paused, sniffing the air curiously.

Shit. Shadows couldn’t mask my scent, and I was downwind. I held my breath and willed my heart to a slow, steady beat, counting to ten before I dared look to where he’d been.

Thank the Moon he hadn’t investigated further, and I continued following him until he entered and closed the door behind him.

No latch.

I waited another few seconds before I went in after him.

His eyes went wide and he opened his mouth to scream, but I slammed my hand across it and whispered loudly with compulsion, “I’m not here to hurt you, I swear it. Please show me you understand and promise not to alert the guards.”

He breathed heavily and nodded, his eyes wide with fear. I slowly removed my hand, backing up and hitting the door behind me so he couldn’t try to run.

The small, one room hut was shabby but well kept, clearly taken care of by someone with pride. The few meager belongings all had a space, and the floor was swept and free of dust or debris.

The beta instinctively grabbed his throat. “Are you here to feed?”

I dismissed him casually with a wave of my hand. “No, I am here for answers.”

His head tilted quizzically, and I bit back my laugh. He reminded me of the Labrador I’d had as a kid. “Answers? To what?”

“Questions.” I pointed to his chair. “Please, sit.”

He kept his eyes on me as he lowered himself, and I could see the pulse in his neck throbbing wildly. Poor male was terrified.

“Calm down,” I compelled him. His eyes fluttered closed and with one deep breath, his heart rate began to slow.

“Wow,” he replied, wiping a bead of sweat away from his temple. “Vampyr magic truly is powerful. What are you called?”

I puffed up my chest a little bit. Takethat, Dad. “I’m Kian. And you are?”

“Albin.”

Clasping my hands in front of me, I told him of my origins, and the pack of alpha shifters I traveled with. He sniffed the air around me again and smiled.

“Oh yeah, five of them, right? They smell strong.”

I arched an eyebrow, surprised he could detect all that just from a whiff. Shifter noses were also quite impressive. “We need toknow why there are no alphas in your camp.”

He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. It was a bit on the greasy side, but I couldn’t exactly blame him.

“The Starborne snatch up the alpha and omega pups as soon as they’re designated, and then we never see them again. The alphas are all trained as soldiers.”

“Starborne?” I asked.

His head tilted again. “Yeah, Starborne. The fae like you.”

Now it was my turn to be confused. “I’m sorry, the vampyrs and shifters on our world have forgotten Vespera even exists, so I’ve never heard that term before.”

“Well,” he held out one hand. “You’ve got your Verdanshades, which includes shifters like myself.” Then he held out the other. “And the Starborne, like you and the king.”

I had so many questions, but those could wait til later if we had time.

“Thank you. So the alphas are taken as soldiers, but what about the omegas?”

He looked down. “They’re sent to, well, help keep the alphas calm, if you get my drift. A select few the king chooses as his concubines, though.”