Page 51 of Nearly Dead

The temperature in the room gradually returns to normal, the frost on the windows melting away.

I stand alone in the destroyed library, my body slowly regaining its human form.But something has changed.I can still feel both sides of my nature, no longer at war but existing in an uneasy alliance.

Light flashes and Zephronis reappears.His eyes immediately take in the destruction.

“I don’t care what you say.I have my proof.Leviathan has been hunting me my entire life,” I say, my voice hollow with exhaustion.“He wants to use me as some kind of breeding stock for a hybrid army.”

Zephronis nods gravely.“This is not good news.Necromancers have always sought to control life and death, to twist the natural order to their will.To know Leviathan has gotten this far in his plans?—”

“He said I’m the first success,” I say.“That all his other hybrids destroyed themselves.”

“Which means he will not give up easily,” Zephronis concludes.

I look around the room.“Where’s Lorelai?”

“Safe.I’ve sent her away from the estate with protection.”He studies me carefully.“You’re different.”

I flex my fingers, feeling the power humming beneath my skin.“It’s like you said.It’s about balance.”

A rare smile crosses the wizard’s face.

Before I can respond, the door to the library bursts open.Costin stands there, his face a mask of barely contained fury and concern.His eyes sweep the room, taking in the destruction before landing on me.Red swirls in his eyes.

“Tamara,” he says, crossing to me in an instant.“What happened?I felt…”

“Leviathan,” I say simply.“He was here.”

Costin’s face darkens.“Are you hurt?”

“No.”I look down at myself, realizing my clothes are torn from my partial transformation.“Not physically, anyway.”

He pulls me against him, his arms protective.The sire bond hums between us, less like a leash, more like a thread.“I shouldn’t have left you.”

“I handled it,” I say, pulling back to look at him.“I found a way to control both sides.At least temporarily.”

His eyes search mine, surprise evident.“How?”

“By not fighting it,” I explain.“By accepting what I am.”I glance at Zephronis, but he’s gone.“By finding balance.”

“Leviathan will be back,” I continue.“He thinks I’m the first successful hybrid he’s created.He wants to use me to create some kind of supernatural army.”

“Created?”Costin repeats, his brow furrowing.“He didn’t turn you.Thane and I did.”

“He’s been manipulating things from the beginning,” I explain.“Since I was a baby.He sent goblins to steal my breath, to create some kind of connection.He’s been waiting for this, Costin.For me to become this.”

Costin’s expression hardens.“He won’t touch you again.I swear it.”

“You can’t be with me all the time,” I point out.

“Then we’ll find somewhere safer,” he insists.“Somewhere he can’t reach you.”

I shake my head.“There is no such place.You know that.Not for long.And I’m tired of running and hiding.”

ChapterTwelve

My mouth tastes like blood.Not a metaphor.Literal blood.

It covers my tongue, fills my nostrils, and makes me want to drink.I try to open my eyes, but they’re locked shut with what I can only assume is more blood.My blood?Leviathan’s?I’m not sure.

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