Page 101 of Bitten Shifter

“Oh, no, no, no,” Leonidas interrupts my spiralling thoughts, wagging an elegant finger. “Poor, poor Lark. You misunderstand. When I say ‘she was helpful,’ I meantyouwere helpful.”

“Me?” My voice catches. “What? How?”

He chuckles, a low, menacing sound that fills the room like smoke. “Oh, how delightful. You truly have no idea. Let me enlighten you. You, Lark, are the gift that keeps on giving.”

He strolls closer, his movements unnervingly fluid, as if he has all the time in the world to savour my horror.

“Your blood,” he says, as though it’s obvious. “It’s always been about your blood. I’m an ancient vampire, little one. Once I’ve tasted someone, I can track them anywhere. Sometimes… I can do more.”

“What do you mean?” My voice barely rises above a whisper.

“Oh, Lark,” he says with mock exasperation, leaning lazily against the sofa. “Powerful blood lets mesee. I can see through your eyes, hear your thoughts. And my, my, you do think so loudly. You have been my unwitting messenger this entire time.”

“No…” I whisper, shaking my head in denial.

That can’t be true. It can’t be.

“Oh, yes,” he says, his grin widening to expose more of those gleaming fangs. “Talk, talk, talk,” he mocks, puppeteering hishand near his ear.“Will Merrick love me? Will Merrick hate me? Will he kiss me? Oh, Human First deserves punishment, but I do not want to see them die.”

The way he mimics me, mocking my life his tone high and taunting, makes my stomach churn. I want to throw up.

The ancient vampire rolls his eyes. “Let’s be honest. I got rid of them just so you would shut the fuck up.”

“No. You are lying,” I croak.

Leonidas steps closer, his presence suffocating. “Oh, little one,” he murmurs, almost tenderly, “I do not need to lie. You have been screaming your thoughts at me since the moment I licked your blood off the ground like a dog. This is your punishment. This is your fault. You are the mole, little birdie, and you sing so sweetly. You have been guiding me right to you all along.”

His words strike me like a blow, the room tilts. I struggle to breathe as he takes another step.

“This game has been fun,” he says, his voice a velvet caress. “But now, it is time to finish the hunt.”

No.

I’m not dying here.

I can do this. I can do this. I can. I’m strong enough to deal with this man.

Leonidas laughs, the sound echoing like a death knell. “Oh, little birdie,” he sneers, “you can’t do this. You are already dead—you just haven’t realised it yet.”

Merrick will come for me.

“He won’t reach you in time,” Leonidas mocks. “Your Merrick left you here unprotected, like a suckling pig on a platter. All that’s missing is an apple in your mouth. They don’t care about you—some human-raised mage. You are an abomination. You would have made a beautiful vampire, truly wasted on the animals.”

I edge toward the bathroom, pulse pounding in my ears, but I keep my gaze fixed on his, refusing to break eye contact.

“I’m telling you the truth,”Leonidas continues.“This place? A fortress? And yet, here I am.”He spreads his arms wide.“You even left the door open for me, and still, you have no idea you have been played. It’s quite remarkable.”

He tilts his head. “Ah, and now you are thinking of Paul. Your husband… ex-husband… the poor little man.” He smacks his lips. “Paul tasted very bitter. You will never find his body. Just like”—he steps closer, voice lowering—“they will never find yours.”

His hands morph, fingers lengthening into razor-sharp obsidian claws.

Nausea rises, but I force it down. Calling on every shred of courage, I channel shifter magic into my nails, pushing the change. My fingers tingle as my nails sharpen into vicious claws. My jaw aches, wolf teeth filling my mouth, the fangs pressing against my lips.

“You are not the only one who can bite,” I say, my words thick and lisping around the new canines. My fangs are strong, built for shredding flesh.

A growl boils up from my chest, low and primal. “Come on, then, vampire,” I challenge, sinking into a fighting stance. My muscles coil, ready to spring.

Leonidas hisses, red eyes aflame with fury. He moves faster than I can track, launching himself through the air with claws outstretched and aimed for my throat.

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