Page 7 of Bite of Vengeance

Chapter 4

Kali

The rotunda was exactly the same. I eyed the pool in the back of the room, remembering the night Zan and I spent there. I shook my head, turning away from it, only to meet Zan’s gaze. He was sitting at the large table, having a quiet conversation with Gia. But right now, he was looking at me, and when his eyes cut to the pool and then back to me, it was clear he was thinking the same thing. My cheeks flushed, and I whirled around to stare back out of one of the large windows.

We’d been back at the property for a few hours, and the second we entered the house, Amaros had disappeared, much to my relief. But so had Warner. I had no idea where he was, and Gia wouldn’t answer any of my questions, which was beyond frustrating.

We’d all driven in the same vehicle, but I hadn’t dared say anything in Amaros’s presence. I was going crazy with all the questions in my head. I wanted to talk to Warner. I needed to ask Gia about my mother. Sheknewher. My mother was in the vampire world. A realization I was still wrapping my head around. And Amaros had mentioned I have a sister—something I couldn’t even comprehend.

And Zan…I’d been purposefully not thinking about him. I didn’t know where to even start when it came to him. He hadn’t said a word to me the entire drive here and had barely looked at me since we got back to the property. I was so fucking torn. He turned Warner into a vampire. But he saved his life by doing so, and I was well aware of that.

“Come on, Kali,” Gia said gently as she got to her feet.

I tensed. “Where are we going?”

“You need sleep.” She came up to me and linked her arm with mine.

“Where’s Warner?” I asked, my voice cracking from both exhaustion and worry. “I want to see him.”

“Tomorrow,” Gia promised.

I glanced over my shoulder to see Zan still sitting, but his eyes were on me as Gia led me out of the rotunda. There were no other vampires in the hall, and by the time I realized where we were heading, I didn’t even try to argue. There was no point when I knew my objections wouldn’t be heard. She was taking me to the bedroom I’d stayed in last time. Zan’s room.

To my surprise, she entered the room with me and closed the door behind her. My stomach churned as she turned to face me, pity filling her eyes.

“Now’s the time to ask what you want,” she murmured. “Amaros isn’t here, and I don’t know when that will happen again.”

“None of his vampires are listening?” I questioned. As much as I wanted answers, I didn’t want them at Gia’s expense.

She gave me a soft smile. “Ask me, Kali.”

“Is my mother alive?” I blurted out, my heart pounding against my ribs.

“No. I’m sorry.”

The pain in her voice was thick, and I stared at her, wishing I could see all her memories. Gia let out a sigh and wanderedaround the room before leaning against the dresser. Her arms were crossed with her long nails digging into her skin. She was trying to keep her usual composure, but it was easy to see her distress, making me curious about just how much she knew about my mother’s past.

“Do I have a sister?” I whispered.

“Yes,” she answered, the word quieter than my question. “A twin.”

The air left my lungs, and I stared at her in shock. A twin? Not fucking possible. But there was no reason for Gia to lie—and if she was, then she was doing a damn good job of it.

“Where is she?” I asked, my body trembling.

“I’m guessing she’s in Project Hope since Zan and Viggo saw her.”

Coldness swept through me as my mind raced. “Gia, please just tell me everything you know about my family.”

“Your mother was very special in ways I still don’t even know,” she said, keeping her voice low. “Wanted by both vampires and humans. She trusted the wrong person, and she ended up in the clutches of Amaros and PARA when she was pregnant. It was my job to…watch her.”

“Watch,” I repeated as tears filled my eyes. “You mean imprison.”

“Blame me if it makes you feel better,” she murmured, her gaze meeting mine. “But I was the only soul she trusted during those nine months. I was there for her.”

I blew out a shaky breath, the weight on my chest so heavy it was painful.

“When she gave birth, your sister was given to PARA,” she continued. “You and your mother went with Amaros, ending up right here on this property.”

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