Page 57 of Hard Shift

“Makes sense,” Striker added. “None of our operatives have seen the real man running the show.”

“Who do they take their orders from?” Rhys asked.

“A man they only know as the General,” Evan answered.

“How does the General keep everyone from rebelling? I mean, he’s surrounded by armed guys and has shifters working for him to abduct others of their kind. How is it he calls the shots, and no one has challenged him, and why haven’t our operatives used mind control?”

“We believe he’s an immortal,” her father answered. “They are the only ones strong enough to control the minds of others and use a barrier when our men try it on them. It’s the only thing that makes sense.”

She glanced around the table. “I thought we were the only ones. Are you telling me there are not only more out there but that they’re rogues?”

Evan dropped his gaze to his lap. His lips pressed together as if he was afraid or embarrassed to answer her questions.

“We should discuss this in private,” the king answered quietly.

Elizabeth heard Evan’s voice in her mind.Your mother.

“What about my mother?” Elizabeth asked.

The king turned his glare at Evan.

“What? She has the right to know. No more secrets, sir.”

Her father’s face turned bright red with anger as he slammed his fist down. He rose from his position, standing at his full height. “Your mother had a lover, and she turned him so that they could run away together.”

“Oh, for crying out loud.” Elizabeth threw her hands up and stood. “Is my entire family dysfunctional with a crazy gene? Surely there is a normal strand in our past somewhere.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

“You would be wise to be mindful of your words, daughter.”

“Yeah, well maybe you should look up the definition of that word,Father.” She glared at him. “I thought she was dead. You guys don’t even speak of her. Where is she? What happened to her?”

“She was dead the day she betrayed me,” her father answered, holding her gaze. “Her lover killed her with a stake through the heart and then burned her body until there was nothing left but ashes.”

“That suggests she was immortal.” She glanced around the table. “Who turned her if it wasn’t my father?”

The table remained silent, and no one answered. She wasn’t sure she’d ever find out that answer, if they didn’t come clean with the information.

Her heart crumbled again. Damn, another person she’d never have the opportunity to ask why she’d been given away.

The king stormed over to the door and yanked it open, glancing back. “Evan, we’re storming the compound in twenty-four hours. Warn your operatives. There is no way this son of a bitch survives. Do you understand?”

Evan gave a royal nod.

****

Elizabeth laid in Rhys’ arms in their temporary accommodations at the compound, nestled away on remote acres of land away the city. She’d barely shut and locked the door before they were stripping off clothes and reaching for each other. He needed her as much as she needed him. Two hours and a shower later, they lay quietly in the bed. Her hand rested over his heart, her mind replaying everything she’d learned today.

“Get some rest, Lizzie.” He kissed the top of her head and pulled her closer. “We’re going to have a long day tomorrow.”

She glanced up at him, her heart breaking. She hadn’t had the nerve to tell him that he wasn’t going. There was no way she’d risk his life, not when there was a mad man that could get inside of Rhys’ mind and take control. She’d argued with Evan in her mind, and yet she knew Evan was right. He’d suggested leaving Rhys behind, not to gain the upper hand but to save her heart. There was no way she’d put him in harm’s way, no way that he’d survive, and if he didn’t, then she never would.

“Rhys.” She leaned up on her elbow to look into his eyes. “You can’t go tomorrow.”

“Well then, you have a problem because you aren’t going without me.”

“I won’t be able to focus if I’m worried about you.” She rested in the crook of his arm. “We’re dealing with someone that could use mind control on you.” She looked up at him. “What if he tells you to kill me? You’d never be able to live with yourself. I won’t do that to you.”

Rhys slid out of the bed and pulled on his jeans before sitting on the edge of the bed. “Elizabeth, don’t do this.” He turned and rested his hand on her stomach. “Don’t push me away. We’re so close to having the life we want. Please, baby.”

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