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My father’s reaction was one of shock.

He jumped up, trembling and for a moment I thought he was going to ask to go back to his cell but then he sat down, leaned forward and hissed at me, “What the fuck did you do that for??”

“Vampires are the worst scum, they’re our enemy, you know that!”

I shook my head.

“They’re your enemy, not mine.”

“We’re the same, Rubes!”

But I wouldn’t hear it. “No, we’re not! I am not part of the gang, not one of the shifters! I stayed to pay off your debt but no more. I am done with that! Time to start living my life!”

My dad looked at me with pain in his eyes. “Who helped you when the car hit you when you were six years old?”

It had been my father’s pack of riders who had taken me to the hospital and made sure I saw the doctors. “Who made sure we had the money to get your mama admitted to the hospital when she needed treatment and I was in here?”

“I know, Daddy, but…”

He interrupted me, “Ruby, you know you can’t get out.”

His words were like stones, weighing me down. “You are one of us, there is no leaving town, no going anywhere.”

“I’ve already moved mom, I’ve left town!” I said, trying to convince him but he shook his head. “There are shifters everywhere, this place is full of them,” he looked around. “You don’t think they know you’re here already?”

His voice broke. “If they think you helped this vampire in any way at all, even if he forced you, that would not be forgiven. They’ll kill you, honey, and all of us too. You have to go back and beg forgiveness.”

“No.” I said, getting up. “I love you, but no. I am not going to be some bitch scrambling in the dirt for a scrap of food. I’m going to have a life. I am going to get out.”

My dad shook his head and grabbed my hand.

“Remember what I taught you,” he said, as I tore my hand free and rushed out of the visiting room. I was overcome with emotion, with the shock of seeing my father and the impact of his words. I left the facility and waited for the bus to take me to town, walking to where I’d left the car in the car park.

As I walked to Mrs. Anderson’s car, I felt someone following me. I looked back and saw two men catching up to me. When I turned back, there were men coming at me from all sides. It was too late to run but I tried anyway, making a break for it across the field, but they were faster than I was. Someone jumped on top of me, pinning me to the ground, yanking my arms back and tying them up. A hood was pushed down over my head and I was grabbed by my arm. Nobody spoke a word as I was bundled into the boot of a car, shoved roughly into the back and locked in.

My mother was right. I should not have gone to see my father.

But it was too late now.

Chapter 14

Luc

The War Room is in the dungeon of the Castle.

It has been fitted with steel doors and various security settings are in place. Big screens track our activity and movements. They indicate the latest skirmishes and show fatalities, and there are photographs where possible.

I have attended most of the meetings and have noticed that our forces seem to be in all the wrong places. We should be scoring more victories, instead, we are recording losses. Various attacks have been launched on our operations at sea and we have suffered significant damages.

As I listen to the reports from various commandos and armies in the field, it occurs to me that we appear to be on the back foot. After the meeting, I walk over to Harris and ask to have a word. He seems displeased to be pulled aside like this.

“I want to have a word with you…” I watch him closely, “…about the king.”

I catch the glance he casts at me, instantly.

There is fear and apprehension in his eyes and I realize that Prince Dano was talking the truth. What I need to establish now is whose side Harris is on.

“Let’s talk in my office,” he says and steps out of the room.