Page 12 of Bite of Vengeance

“Do not interfere,” Amaros ordered gruffly, glaring at his son. “This is the entire reason we’re in here.”

Zan didn’t heed his father’s command. He stayed in front of me, his fists clenched tight. My stomach rolled as I glanced around, noticing the Shadows surrounding us were focused on me. Amaros noticed too, and he reached forward to grab Zan’s arm, yanking him away from me.

“She’s not human,” another Shadow muttered as he prowled around me.

I straightened my spine, not liking how they were talking around me. The blonde female was still in front of me, and I inhaled deeply, attempting to calm my nerves. My heart was pounding and every soul in here could hear it.

But then I froze.

I couldsmellthem—or smell something that was new to me. It was faint, but there was no mistaking it. A scent I’d never experienced before walking into this room. I couldn’t even describe it. It was more than just a smell. It was almost as if Icould sense them. Like I knew they weren’t vampires. That they were Shadows.

“You’re different,” the blonde said, her head tilting to the side before her gaze cut to Zan. “Like him. But you’re not the same as he is.”

I didn’t move a muscle, unsure of what to even say. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Zan pushing away from Amaros, and he stepped forward until he was beside me.

“You’re with them,” the blonde hissed, indecision flashing in her eyes.

“No—”

“Yes,” Amaros answered the same time I did.

“No,” I repeated, speaking louder. “I’m not.”

Murmurs rang out through the group of Shadows as Zan’s shoulder brushed mine. Something Amaros didn’t miss. My heart lurched at the wicked glint in his eye. My denial of working with him didn’t seem to bother him, putting me even more on edge. The female Shadow stepped closer, causing Zan to stand protectively in front of me.

“Back away,” Zan growled, his voice menacing.

The blonde ignored him, her gaze staying locked on me. The others were tightening the circle around us while Amaros slowly backed up, his expression giving nothing away. A male Shadow with messy red hair sauntered closer until he was nearly nose to nose with Zan.

“Don’t challenge me,” Zan threatened harshly. “You know how it will end.”

Neither Shadow listened to him, and Zan shoved the redhead back. The blonde took the opportunity to get closer to me, her nostrils flaring as she sucked in a deep breath. Suddenly, a tingling sensation tore across my back, distracting me from her hard stare. I squirmed slightly, glancing over my shoulder. Noone was touching me, and I swiped my hand over my lower back, trying to figure out what I was feeling.

“Who are you?” the blonde whispered, pulling my attention back to her.

I paused for a moment. “Kali.”

“What are you?”

Her question had my stomach knotting painfully. Before I could answer, a pained grunt had my eyes snapping back to Zan. He and the redhead were full-on fighting, causing the others to retreat as Zan flung the Shadow away from him. I jerked when someone grabbed my arm, spinning me around.

The blonde released me the second my eyes met her blue ones. Curiosity covered her features, but she wasn’t looking at me like a threat the way she did with Amaros or Zan.

“You’re one of us.” Her words were quiet, but I heard them clear as day. “I can sense it.”

A crack snapped through the air, and I glanced away from her to see Zan releasing the Shadow’s now-broken neck. The redhead fell to the floor as a wave of angry murmurs rang out across the room. Most looked ready to jump in and fight Zan, and as I watched, I realized how little control he had of the Shadows. They had listened to him somewhat the last time I was here, but it was different right now. The tension in the room crackled as Zan strode toward me.

The blonde, along with four others, stepped in front of me, forming a wall. Zan’s face darkened as he halted.

“Move,” he snarled.

The Shadows ignored him, forming a tighter circle around me as I stood there in shock. Was it because I was one of them now? But so was Zan. Though, he was a Kane, so maybe that made him different. My gaze slid to the right, seeing Amaros was watching intently. It was impossible to know what he was thinking. Whatever it was, I was sure it wasn’t good for me.

Another tingle spread across my back, only this time it was slightly painful. Like small pinpricks. My heart skipped a beat as I tried figuring out what it was. Something to do with my transition?

“Time to go,” Amaros stated, his stare landing on Zan. “I’ve seen what I needed.”

Zan lunged forward, attempting to get to me, but the Shadows worked together, keeping him away. The blonde stayed right at my side as I stood there silently. They were protecting me. Zan let out a growl of frustration, swinging at the closest Shadow. Three of them pushed forward, tackling Zan to the floor. He was back on his feet in an instant, holding his own against all of them. But they weren’t letting him get close to where I was.

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