Page 20 of Princess Redeemed
Rogan… Rogan, where are you?
He knows I’m pregnant.Even if he feels nothing—if the shot has worn off—doesn’t he care about his child?
My heart hurts.
From the flaming arrow wound, yes.
But more excruciating is the pain of knowing that Rogan isn’t mine, and I’m not his.
I drift off, even as my door cracks open.
And someone enters.
11
My fangs snapdown as the door opens.
So much for the sleep my mother thinks I need.
She doesn’t know what I am, nor does my sister, so I keep my lips tight shut, my own canines grazing the inside of my mouth.
“Hannah…”
The voice doesn’t belong to Rogan.
It belongs to my father.
At least I can open my mouth and show my teeth.“What are you doing here?Aren’t you at war?And Mom is right outside.”
“Your mother is not an issue.”
“Of course.Mind control.Which there is no excuse for misusing.Those are your words, Dad.”I clear my throat to ease the ache.
It doesn’t work.
“Don’t try to talk,” he says.“I want you to know that Richard will be dealt with.He promised me long ago that no harm would come to you or your sister.He has broken that vow.”
Yeah, I’ve heard that before.“I hate to break it to you, Dad, but he broke that vow long ago.”A cough erupts in my throat.
“I said don’t try to talk.”Dad sits down on the side of my bed.“I’m talking about physical harm, Hannah.You know that.”
I take his advice.I don’t try to talk.What’s the point?My father knows that emotional and mental harm are just as bad—sometimes worse—than physical harm.
“The war isn’t going well, Hannah.Both sides are taking heavy losses.And your wolf…”
“He’s notmywolf,” I manage to choke out.“You and I both know that.”
Dad pauses a moment, sighs.“Victor Rogan is missing.We think Richard is holding him.”
I open my mouth, but he holds up a hand to stop me.
“I may have made an error in judgment.”
You think?But I don’t say it.How can the demons be holding Rogan if he’s fightingwiththem?
A conversation with Rogan comes back to me…
“Are you in bed with my stepfather?”I ask.“With the demons?Because I need to know.If I’m forsaking my sister for my demon stepfather, I must know.”
