Page 109 of Bite of Sin

I had to bite my tongue to keep from responding defensively. It didn’t seem like Zan was using me or messing with me. But…what if I was wrong? My group had kidnapped him. His father was making plans against Project Hope. I was human. What if he was purposefully getting close to me? Ice crawled through my veins at that thought, and I tugged my wrists out of Warner’s hold.

“It doesn’t matter,” I muttered. “He’s gone. We won’t see him again.”

“Thank fuck,” Warner mumbled before clearing his throat. “I just feel like this whole thing has changed us too.”

“Us?” I repeated.

“We never finished the conversation from last week,” Warner said, his eyes meeting mine. “I still want you, Kali. If that’s what you want. If not…I’ll always be here as your best friend. But I need to know.”

I didn’t say anything, unsure of how to answer. I loved him, and he knew that. But was I in love with him? My heart panged when the truth slammed into me. I wasn’t. If I’d never met Zan, if I’d never felt the rush that he’d given me, I could have happily been with Warner. But not anymore. Not when I knew those feelings existed.

If I found love in this life, I wanted it to be all fulfilling. I wanted the excitement. The butterflies. The heat. I didn’t have that with Warner.

Warner sighed, taking my silence as an answer. “Friends it is.”

“Warner—”

“It’s fine,” he said, giving me a small smile. “I always knew a life with me wasn’t what you wanted, Kali. I want a quiet life with someone by my side who is content living away from everything. You want to leave here. See whatever you can. I’ve always known that you wouldn’t be happy with just the short adventures out of Project Hope. You crave freedom. I just want to find a small niche for myself and live. But that’s not what you want, is it?”

I shook my head. “No. I want to see everything I can while I’m alive.”

“I know.” He gave me a quick kiss on the forehead. “And I hope you get everything you want. You know I’m always here for you.”

Before I could answer, he abruptly stood up and headed to the kitchen area. He was hurt, even though he was acting like he wasn’t. Deciding to give him some time, I got up and took the chair by the front door. I picked up the knife and stake that Paul had been carving and continued sharpening the edge of the wood.

The silence was strained, and time dragged on as Warner ate a snack while pretending to read the book I’d thrown down earlier. My body was heavy with guilt, even though I wouldn’t change my mind. He was my best friend. My family. I just hoped he felt the same and wasn’tinlove with me so that our relationship wouldn’t change.

There was a knock on the door, and I stiffened while Warner gave me a look.

“It’s daylight, Kali,” he said softly. “It’s not them.”

“Hey,” a voice called from outside. “It’s Matt. Let me in.”

My eyes widened as I set the stake and knife down. I recognized Matt’s voice, but he should have returned two days ago. Where the hell had he been? When Matt knocked again, I stood up, seeing Paul exit the bedroom.

“Unlock the door. I’ve had a long damn trip,” Matt complained through the door. “I’m tired as hell.”

“Open the door,” Paul demanded, glaring at me.

Warner stayed near the couch, purposely keeping himself between Paul and me as I turned around to unlock the two dead bolts. My hand fell on the doorknob, and I slowly twisted it before pulling it open. There was a body in the doorway, and I raised my head, meeting the eyes of the person in front of me.

I expected Matt. But it wasn’t him.

He wasn’t a human at all.

Chapter41

Kali

Shock held me hostage, and I stood there completely frozen as Zan gave me a wicked smirk. He was leaning against the doorframe, holding an apple. Viggo and Pax were standing behind him, and Matt was off to the side, staring blankly at me. The blood drained from my face. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

“Did you miss me, Kali?” Zan asked, tossing the apple into the air and catching it.

Not fucking possible. The sun was high in the sky, yet Zan was standing right in front of me. Never had I heard of a vampire being able to walk in the sun. I opened my mouth, but not a sound came out as we stared at each other. Amusement danced in Zan’s eyes, and he raised an eyebrow, as if waiting for me to say something.

“Kali,” Warner yelled. “Get back.”

His voice knocked me out of the shock, and I tensed. But before I could move a step, Zan dropped the apple, his hand lashing out and snatching my wrist. I screamed in protest when he hauled me against his chest while striding into the cabin. He quickly turned me around until my back was to him, keeping his arm around my waist, trapping both of mine at my sides. My heart thrashed when his free hand went around my throat. His hold was firm, but he didn’t cut off my air, even when I struggled against him.

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