Page 53 of Hard Shift

Evan stepped closer. “She needs to know, and I take full responsibility. I should have taught her how to fight the immortal way.”

“Wha…” Memories of her shift into a vampire flashed in her mind. Her eyes narrowed as she turned to him. “You! You did this to me.”

He remained quiet, unspeaking as he watched her.

The door to the room flew open, and a big brooding man stepped inside. His salt and pepper hair was cut short and matched the color of the stubble on his face. It was a face she recognized instantly. Twins, she remembered Evan telling her. This man was her father. The same asshole that had sent her away to be raised by his mortal brother.

“Everyone out,” he demanded.

She felt the power rolling off of him and pulsing in the room. Evan walked out of the room without question. Rhys didn’t budge, remaining firmly by her side.

Elizabeth swallowed and leaned back against the pillow. Did she really have to do this now?

“Out now.”

She snapped her gaze to the old man. “Rhys stays.” She glared at him, daring him to tell her and Rhys what to do. “He stays, or you and I won’t be discussing anything.”

Her father’s jaw ticked, and his eyes were calculating. He might look like the man who’d raised her, but she could see the cold look behind his eyes. “You don’t have a say in this, Abigail.”

Elizabeth yanked the needle from her arm and tossed it on the other side of the bed. She eased herself up; using what strength she had, she slid her legs over the side of the bed. “My name is not Abigail. It’s Elizabeth, but then you wouldn’t know that, would you? You don’t get to tell me what to do. You gave up that right when you tossed me out like the trash to be raised by your brother.”

Rhys helped her stand, keeping her steady with an arm around her waist, supporting her as her vision clouded and swayed.

“Elizabeth.” Her father’s voice softened. “Fine, he can stay.” He gestured back to the bed. “Now sit down before you fall.”

Elizabeth didn’t follow his orders. If she sat back down, she wouldn’t be getting back up again and depending on what dear old dad had to say…she might still be leaving.

“You can be angry with me, but I did what was best for you. Please…” He gestured to the bed.

Lizzie eased down to sit on the bed, keeping hold of Rhys’ hand.

“That’s a hard sell, old man. How was it best I didn’t know I could shift? It might have saved my life. Or, more importantly, how was it best for me when I was abducted?” She rose from the bed again, and anger stirred in her belly. “Was it best that I didn’t know how to defend myself? Was it best that I can shift into all kinds of animals, including one that will never let me experience my mate’s bite? Explain that.”

“Elizabeth.”

She watched her father’s patience dwindling, as he grew tired of her tirade, and yet she didn’t care. Irritation flashed behind his eyes. Good, because she was pissed, too.

“Everything you went you through and everything you are has turned you into a stronger woman that will one day rule in my place.”

She shook her head. “You should have had more kids. Maybe one of them would want the job.”

Her thirst returned with a vengeance. Her throat constricted, and she felt the length of her pointy teeth protruding. She squeezed Rhys’ arm and closed her eyes.Evan, you better get your ass in here and fix me,she grumbled in her head, angry at herself, angry at her father, and angry at the man who’d turned her into this monster she didn’t know how to control.

“Elizabeth, what’s wrong?” Rhys asked while helping her lie back down.

“She hasn’t had enough enzymes,” the man claiming to be her father said as the room started to spin out of focus.

Evan burst through the door and rounded the bed. He picked up the IV and shoved it into her vein before lifting the cup she’d been sipping from back up to her mouth. She took a long pull, only stopping to gulp some air.

“She needs more, and you’re not helping.” He glanced over at her father. “She needs rest, sir. This conversation needs to wait.” Evan bowed his head out of respect. “Please have one of the other guards show Rhys his room.”

“I’m not leaving her.”

Elizabeth reached for his hand and squeezed. “I’ll be fine.” She shook her head and gave him a small smile before turning to look at her father. “Rhys is my mate. If anything happens to him, you should know that I’ll tear this place apart brick by brick with everyone in it.” She narrowed her eyes in challenge. The room flashed red, and she knew that one of her beasts was seconds away from bursting free and out of control.

“You, my dear, were born to be a queen.” Her father grinned and gave her a slight nod as if he’d approved of her demanding, threatening outburst before escorting Rhys from the room.

“Asshole,” she grumbled as Evan propped more pillows behind her head and handed her another full glass of what she’d been drinking. He pulled up a chair and leaned comfortably back, crossing his legs at the ankles.

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