Page 99 of Bite The Terror That Feeds

“Ellasara admitted it when she came to threaten us.”

Now she was quiet.

“For a nonviolent race, you’re awfully destructive to anyone who gets in your way.”

“You’re misinformed.”

“Clara—”

“My father would never do such a thing. Would never poison innocent people. Wouldn’t wage a war against someone without good reason.”

“I understand it’s disturbing—”

“Why would he lie?” Her voice rose. “For what reason?”

There was a simple explanation. “Power.”

She stared, her expression still guarded.

“Because he and others like him want to keep the status quo. They want to be the only immortal race. Want to be the only race that humans worship. Our existence is a direct threat to their power—because we’re the only ones who could take them down if we wished. The sad thing is, despite our violent reputation, we’re happy to coexist. The Ethereal are the ones who want bloodshed.”

She looked away. “That is not our way—”

“Ask your father when you return. Perhaps he’ll tell you the truth once he knows you suspect it.”

Her skin suddenly felt cold. She shifted away from me, her desire for affection gone. Perhaps I should have waited to have this conversation, but a part of me hoped she would accept the truth…and even wish to stay.

But all I’d done was push her away.

She left the bed altogether and stood in front of the fire, the curves of her naked body highlighted by the flames. Her back was to me. “You’re my enemy. You expect me to believe a word you say? Try to manipulate me all you want—but it won’t work.”

I came around the bed and stood at her back, seeing her eyes glued to the fire. “I know you believe me.”

“I don’t believe a word out of your mouth—”

I grabbed her by the arm and yanked her toward me.

The words died in her mouth, and she stiffened in fear.

“I’ve hated the Ethereal with every fiber of my being. They killed my men. They’ve hunted us since the beginning. They want to control a gift that doesn’t belong to them exclusively. But after meeting you…I do not hate them. They’re all being poisoned by the lies your father tells. They’re misinformed. They put their lives on the line fornothing.”

She breathed hard as she remained in my grasp.

“We can coexist peacefully—if you help me.”

“How do you expect me to do that?”

“Speak to your father. Convince him to stop this war. And then we’ll have a truce. The Ethereal stay on their lands—and we stay on ours.”

She finally pulled her arm away from my grasp.

“Speak to him—and you will know the truth.”

She stepped back, putting distance between us. “I should leave.”

Fuck. “We have two days—”

“I can’t fuck you when I feel like this…”