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“Adoptive mother? Was she like you?”

“No, she was mortal.”

“Does he know who his real parents are?”

Adriel’s gaze dropped. “His mother left behind journals. At first, we weren’t sure, but after some tests we found a link in his blood that connected him to Christian.”

“Christian, your son?”

Her mouth pursed and she nodded. “It turns out…they have the same father.”

“Oh, shit. You mean your psycho ex?”

“I’m afraid so. It’s how I knew Cerberus was free.”

“What do you meanfree?”

Her brow pinched, and she noticeably swallowed. “In order to escape him, we needed to detain him. Cer has always possessed extraordinary strength, so I needed help. Many of the males who later formed the elder’s council came to my aid.”

“If he was so terrible, why didn’t they just kill him when they had the chance?”

“He was my mate. They did what they thought was best. Had I been able to speak at the time, I would have told them to finish him, but I could not. I was pregnant and badly injured.”

“But you got away?”

She nodded solemnly. “They dismembered him and buried him deep in the earth, sentenced to wait out the healing process without blood or water. Dane’s existence warned me of Cer’s return, but we can assume he was trapped in the earth for more than a century.”

“Are you telling me you buried him alive, and he was rotting in the ground for over a hundred years?”

“I imagine the slow passage of time was an intolerable sentence, but without his limbs, he’d have no way to escape. The elders believed it would give him time to think and repent.”

“The elders are fucking idiots.” She blew out a breath and plopped down on the bed. “No wonder this guy wants to hurt you. Fuck, Adriel.” Juniper rubbed her head. “I really need to expand my skillset if this guy’s as strong as you claim.”

“He’s terrifying. I’m not sure we can?—”

“Stop right there. He might be terrifying, but we have to keep an optimistic attitude. We just need to think up a brilliant plan.”

Should she tell her about her father? Perhaps there was some special key to unlocking whatever half-breed powers she possessed. “You helped Dane when you discovered he was part immortal?”

“I offered some guidance and always answered his questions as truthfully as possible.”

“Was that because he’s related to your ex?”

“No, it’s because I consider Dane a friend.”

So did Juniper, but she wasn’t sure if Dane saw her the same. She did know that he trusted Adriel, however.

“Do you see me as a friend, Adriel?”

She studied her for a long moment. “Yes.”

Then maybe she could help her the way she helped Dane. “Then I have to tell you something.”

Adriel lowered to the vanity chair. “Go ahead.”

“My father was immortal.”

Her posture noticeably tightened. “Who was he?”