Page 54 of Hard Shift

“You know what they say about the apple and the tree.” Evan grinned while lacing his fingers behind his head.

“What the hell am I drinking?” she asked, looking down into the cup. It looked god-awful no matter how good it tasted. If she ever got in a similar predicament and knew how to take care of it herself, she wouldn’t have to rely on anyone else, least of all these people. She wouldn’t be coming back to this place.

“It’s a blood and enzyme concoction. It’s the way our kind receives nutrients without having to eat directly from the source.”

“The source being anyone with a vein?”

“Yes.” He let out a long sigh. “You especially can’t bite others because you’d kill them.”

“Why do I need this now when I didn’t before?” she asked and began sipping again.

“We had it stored in the shot you were taking to mask your scent.”

Elizabeth covered her mouth to stop from spewing her drink everywhere. “Jamieson knew?”

“Jamieson is the head and lead physician of the Protectors. He’s one of ours, strategically placed into your world to see to any and all of your medical needs.”

Another man she considered a friend was what…working for her father? Her heart cracked a little more.

“It’s not what you think, Abigail.”

“Elizabeth,” she corrected him. “And it’s exactly what I think.”

“Jamieson is like us. He’s an immortal. He delivered your grandfather, your father, and then you. He’s an important part of your family and the ONLY person I trusted to see to your needs when I couldn’t bring you in.”

She shifted her gaze to his. “You wanted to bring me…here?”

“Of course. This is where you were to return when you turned twenty-five, although it was to rule under your father, but after giving you my blood, I always knew you were destined to become a protector.” Evan uncrossed his legs and sat up, resting his elbows on his knees. “I need to train you how to fight and teach you how to use your new skills. You are one of us, Elizabeth. You belong with us, living among us, and fighting beside us. It’s who we are. It’s who you are. I know you better than you know yourself. The throne will never make you happy, not like fighting to protect the innocent people of the world.”

“My whole life was nothing more than an elaborate lie. Is Rhys even my mate, or is he part of this world, too? Did you guys give me some bad juju full of pheromones to make me feel that pull?”

“Hardly,” Evan answered and stood up, walking to the other side of the bed where the empty IV bag hung. He began replacing it with a fresh bag before sitting down on the side of the bed, leaving one foot on the floor. “Tell me what you want, Elizabeth. What will make you happy?” His haunted eyes held hers. She felt the sorrow, his feelings and knew that he genuinely cared.

“I want to find the girls. I want to destroy the lab and protect the other shifters from asinine laws meant to restrict them. I want to feel the mate bond with Rhys without killing him. I want people to quit withholding the truth from me because they don’t think I can handle it. I want…” She let her words trail off. “It doesn’t matter what I want. You guys have manipulated my entire life.”

He took her hand in his. She felt the strength in his touch, the support he offered. “You shall have all of those things and more.”

She looked up to meet his gaze.

“Get some rest, Elizabeth.” He patted her hand. “Once you’re better, we’ll start on that list of yours. Rest assured, I know for a fact the women being held are fine, and we will rescue them.”

He rose from the bed and walked to the door. Pulling it open, he paused. “I’ll check on Rhys to make sure he’s comfortable and then start planning the rest. You have my word, not as your protector but as the other half of your soul. It will be done.”

He bowed as if addressing royalty and walked out of the room, leaving her with nothing more than her thoughts.

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