Page 20 of Bite of Vengeance

“She’s not just a girl—she’s a Shadow.” My father fell into step beside Kali. “If the humans don’t realize her power before she completely transitions, they won’t be able to control her. I want her before that happens.”

“What’s her name?” Kali asked, turning her head to look at Amaros. “My twin.”

He paused, his steps slowing as he thought about the answer. “Keeva. Your mother named both of you.”

Kali blinked, and I shared her surprise. I hadn’t been expecting him to answer. Amaros halted in his tracks, grabbing Kali’s arm and tugging her to him as she let out a cry of protest. My chest tightened when I released her hand after my father’s eyes flashed with irritation.

“Have you ever done research on your name?” he asked her, curiosity on his face. “What it means?”

“No,” she snapped, arching her back when he leaned closer. “I thought the orphanage named me.”

“I know all about your family history, including your last name.” He smirked cruelly. “You behave like I’ve asked, and I’ll share what I know.”

“I’ve been listening,” she ground out through clenched teeth.

“I know you have. Make sure you continue.” He let her go, and she stumbled back a step. “Go back to the house. Now. Gia is in the rotunda.”

Her gaze clouded with confusion as she stared at him before spinning around and hurrying down the trail. We were close enough that he would be able to hear if she followed his order even when she was out of sight. Amaros stared at her through the darkness until the path curved.

“It won’t take long until her transition is complete.” His brows furrowed. “It will be more difficult to control her when that happens. It’s not in her nature to submit, just like her mother.”

“What do you mean?” Pax asked from behind me. “It’s barely been a month since her birthday. Transitioning takes a year.”

“Not for her bloodline.” Amaros shook his head. “Her mother’s transition took less than two months. Just like us Kanes, her family is special. Different from other Shadows.”

Viggo let out a low whistle. “It still took us nearly a year to transition. You going to explain why Kali and her twin are so important?”

“Yes,” Amaros answered as we headed to the house. “But not where there are prying ears. And right now, we need to figure out how to get into Project Hope and get Keeva away from the humans. I want them both.”

The image of Kali’s twin filled my mind. They appeared to be identical in every way. Except where strength shone in Kali’s eyes, fear had swarmed Keeva’s. Life was not easy in this world, but I had a feeling Kali’s twin had more than her fair share of hardships and grief.

“Warner knows that city just as well as Kali,” Pax said quietly. “We could bring him?—”

“No,” Amaros growled with impatience. “He is the only reason she is obeying. He stays.”

“Then come up with something else, Dad,” Viggo said, sliding his hands into his pockets. “We’ve tried everything. The Clovers blocked the tunnel we used to get in last time. Unless you know of another way to sneak in undetected, we’re screwed.”

Amaros threw him a look, his anger rising. “Have we ever failed before? We’ll figure it out.”

My gut was churning as I walked by my father’s side. I still had no idea why Kali and her sister were so important. Amaros needed them for something, and I could bet it had to do with taking over the human cities. But whatever it was, Kali was right in the center of it all. And I had no idea how to save her from it.

Chapter 10

Kali

Keeva.

The name of my twin who I’d never known. Zan had told me that she looked just like me. I wondered if we shared personality traits. Where did she grow up? Did she realize she was a Shadow? Was PARA running tests on her like Amaros had said they did to my mother? The questions had been swarming my mind, and the longer I thought about it, the more restless I was becoming.

I hadn’t seen Amaros in nearly a week, ever since he told me Keeva’s name. I knew he was still on the property from the way Zan was acting, but I wasn’t a priority at the moment. Amaros wanted my twin, and since Pax and Viggo were still here, I was guessing they hadn’t come up with a plan yet.

I rolled over in bed, letting out a small groan as I snuggled under the covers. I’d barely slept lately. It was more than just restlessness from being trapped on Amaros’s property. Nighttime was when I was most awake now. Maybe it had to do with my transition. Vampires were night creatures. Which was why I was surprised Zan had been in bed with me every night after we got back from the Pen.

The dim bathroom light allowed me to stare at him as he slept on top of the blankets. His chest rose and fell with each breath, and when he was sleeping was the only time he looked peaceful. I nearly brushed the black strand of hair that was resting over his closed eyes.

I had no idea what to do about him.

Zan wanted me. He’d been trying to protect me from his father as best he could since arriving. But he was still a Kane, who had stood beside his father and helped destroy a human city. Something I was sure would happen again. He might want to save me, but that was it. The small number of people I cared about in this world would die if the vampires won the war against the humans.

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