Page 33 of Bite of Vengeance

It was clear that Rya and the surrounding Shadows weren’t happy, but they didn’t argue. They trusted me, and I didn’t want to disappoint them.

With a tight grin, Viggo sauntered away from me, into the middle of the room. The Shadows gave him a wide berth, most of them openly glowering at him.

“Don’t kill him,” I reminded them loudly. “He’s a Kane.”

Rya stood at my side. “We could take him. And Amaros. There are more of us than them.”

“I know.” I looked at her. “But we can’t—not yet.”

“Kali.” Viggo’s voice was full of warning, and my eyes cut to him. “Don’t.”

I didn’t respond. He was the only one who heard my words other than the Shadows. I learned a while ago that this entire building was soundproof to keep the Shadows from listening. The vampires outside had no idea what I was saying.

“Okay, who’s first?” Viggo taunted, slowly turning in a circle. “Who thinks they can beat me?”

An excited murmur ran through the crowd, the Shadows not bothering to hide their bloodthirst. For a moment, doubt swept through me. They listened to me, but I wasn’t sure if they’d be able to resist killing a Kane when he was tempting them.

A Shadow stepped into the makeshift circle as he pushed his brown hair out of his eyes. Viggo sized him up, a small grin playing on his lips as he slipped off his hoodie and tossed it to the floor. They circled each other, neither of them willing to throw the first hit.

“Why is he here?” Rya asked under her breath. “Where is his brother?”

“Not here,” I mumbled, falling against the wall when another wave of dizziness hit me.

She frowned. “What’s wrong?”

“I think I need blood,” I forced out.

She bit her lip. “We don’t have any blood bags.”

“I know.”

Amaros didn’t like that they were at their full strength with unlimited blood. He didn’t say it in so many words, but it was obvious when he had the blood bags taken out of the Pen.

“Get him,” one of the Shadows screamed, turning my attention back to Viggo.

Both were breathing hard, and Viggo had dried blood from a freshly healed cut somewhere on his face. His lopsided grin was still on his face, making me think he wasn’t trying that hard. The Shadow scowled, determination lining his features. He lunged at Viggo, wrapping his arms around his waist and taking them both to the ground.

Their moves were quick, and while I could keep up, watching it only made my head pound worse. Movement out of the corner of my eye caught my attention, and I turned to see Jasper entering along with a man I didn’t recognize. His blank stare, and complete lack of reaction, made me believe he was a human who was entranced. Jasper grabbed his arm roughly, striding closer to me.

“Look, he brought dinner,” someone called out.

“One little human isn’t enough for all of us.”

“He’s mine.”

Their words faded into the distance when a scent filled my nostrils, making me freeze. The smell was different from anything I’d ever experienced. It wasn’t exactly sweet, but itwasdelicious. So much so that I pushed off the wall, trying to search where the scent was coming from.

“Back off,” Rya snapped, shoving one of the Shadows back. “He’s for Kali. She needs to feed.”

Viggo went still, surprise making his lips part when everyone stepped back, bowing their heads in respect. The Shadow fighting him saw that advantage and attacked his throat. Viggo let out a hiss of pain, black blood seeping from his neck as he ripped the Shadow away and put him in a headlock.

“Viggo, don’t?—”

A crack filled the air, cutting off my words when he broke the Shadow’s neck. My fingers curled into fists, anger washing through me as I watched his body hit the floor. My eyes darted to Viggo, and I caught him watching me curiously.

“You didn’t have to do that,” I ground out.

He cocked his head. “Protective of them, Kali? I didn’t kill him.”

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