Page 21 of Bite of Vengeance

If Amaros thought I would do what he ordered, then he was in for a shock. I was going to the Pen every nightforme, not him. The Shadows trusted me. They had an allegiance to me, not Amaros or the other vampires. And for a reason I couldn’t explain, I trusted them too.

“Do you stare at me every time I sleep?”

His voice was gruff, and he didn’t even open his eyes when he snaked his arm around my waist, pulling me to him. My chest hit his, his lips brushing my forehead.

“I wasn’t staring,” I mumbled, knowing he could hear how my heart sped up from his touch.

“Liar,” he rasped, kissing me before running his lips down my jaw. “Can’t sleep?”

“Apparently not,” I breathed out. “What are you doing, Zan?”

“I was dreaming about you,” he admitted. “I’m obsessed with you, even in my sleep.”

I froze, wondering why he was saying this when Amaros could possibly be listening. I knew that was why Zan was keeping his distance from me. Why was tonight different?

“My father left the property when the sun went down. I can say what I want to you when none of his vampires are close.”

I shot up, pulling out of his hold. “Why are you just telling me this?”

He sighed, turning on his back and putting his arms behind his head. “What would it have changed, Kali? You think you can try to leave since he’s not here? There are over two hundred vampires within the walls. There’s no leaving.”

I didn’t miss how he sounded resigned by that fact. I wrapped my arms around my knees, my mind racing.

“I want to go to the Pen,” I blurted out.

“The sun comes up in less than two hours.”

“You and I can both walk in the sun.”

“Only a select few vampires know my secret.” His eyes found mine as he remained lying down. “My brothers and I don’t go outside during the day here.”

“Then I’ll go,” I replied, letting challenge enter my voice.

He chuckled. “I don’t think so.”

“If I can’t leave this damn place, then why can’t I go alone?”

The dangerous gleam in his eye was the only warning I had before his fingers closed around my wrist, and he yanked me down. In the span of a second, he was on top of me, straddling my hips and pinning my arms next to my head.

“Zan—”

“Free yourself, Kali,” he murmured, his voice full of dark teasing. “Let me see your new skills.”

I shot him a scathing glare. “I’m not as strong as you.”

“Try anyway.”

I fought in his hold, attempting to break his grip on my wrists. His amused smirk only had me trying harder. Bucking my hips did absolutely nothing.

“Warner is with my father.”

His admission halted my struggles, my eyes snapping to his. “What?”

“He took Warner off the property.”

“Why?”

He shook his head. “Can’t tell you that.”

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