Page 214 of Cruelly Bitten

I wonder if that inciting incident was planned—the one that led to the lycan discovery,Cam murmured thoughtfully.It’s what I would have done.

This time, I couldn’t control my urge to shiver. Because Cam’s mind… the strategy he revealed… it was chilling.

Primarily because he was likely correct.

And also because I could hear his internal appreciation for his brother’s due diligence.

Cam didn’t fault his brother for his methods or his goals. He understood them and almost admired his work.

Except he recalled all the charts in the next moment, the careless use of resources and the waning blood supply, and sighed.That’s where he made his error.

You think that’s his only error?I asked.What about removing the human right to choose?

Humans would never choose to be food, Ismerelda. Just as cows and pigs would never ask to be slaughtered.

But Blood City demonstrates a way for humans to donate their blood willingly, while also living decently.

True,he agreed.However, even that system has flaws. Vampires and lycans like to hunt. We’re predators who desire prey. Not a blood bank.

The same could be said about humans today being willing blood slaves. Where’s the hunt? Humans are simply stripped and forced to lie down on tables like glorified food,I demanded.Does that excite your predatory instincts?

A fair point, my queen,he replied.I’m not saying Blood City doesn’t have its merits or that today’s society is perfect. They both have their advantages and disadvantages.

But you only see the blood supply as important in that evaluation, not the humanity aspect,I muttered.I?—

“What’s my brother saying?” Cane interjected, his voice reminding me of his presence and instantly sending a chill down my spine.

I’d almost completely forgotten he was here despite him being a primary topic in my mental conversation.

“Is he promising to save you?” Cane continued, sounding amused. “To make me pay for what I’ve done?”

I blinked away from the window and forced myself to meet Cane’s gaze. “No. He’s evaluating your work and saying what he would have done differently.”

Cane’s dark brow inched upward. “Is he now?” He cocked his head to the side. “In what way?”

Tell him,Cam whispered into my mind.I want confirmation that this has all been him, that he’s the one who did this to us.

I followed Cam’s line of thought, noting that he also wanted to learn more about Cane’s motives and plans, thus providing even more reason for me to be forthcoming.

He wanted to make his brother talk.

And he suspected this might be the way to do that.

I cleared my throat and told Cane what Cam had said about the lycans, how Cane had obviously found a way to convince the wolves to help vampires lead. “Or he assumes that was you, anyway, as it’s what he would have done,” I added before going into Cane’s failure to find a stable blood source.

I didn’t mention Blood City, as I didn’t want to reveal Khalid’s version of utopia. If Cane knew about the city, I’d let him reveal it.

“And now Cam’s thinking about how he would fix the blood shortage,” I concluded. “Beyond the potential for immortal blood bags, I mean.”

Cane stared at me for a long moment. “Interesting.” He shared a glance with Michael. “What do you think?”

“I think your experiment might have been more successful than we originally thought. Assuming she’s telling the truth, anyway,” Michael replied.

“Indeed,” Cane murmured in agreement.

“Of course, you should probably still kill her to guarantee your outcome,” Michael added. “Or turn her, like you did for Lilith.”

Cane nodded. “Yes, that did work well. The traumatic aspect of your mortal demise assisted in my plight as well.”