Page 43 of Bite of Sin

“Don’t,” I breathed out, unable to hold it back.

“Fine. Then he stays in the cage,” Zan said simply. I was suddenly free, and I spun around to see him backing away.

My eyes cut to Pax and then to Viggo before going back to Zan. “What are you doing?”

“Letting him live.” Zan strolled to the bar where Gia already had his favorite drink waiting. “Go home, Kali. You have the rest of the night off.”

“What?” I sputtered, planting my feet. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Go,” Gia ordered. “We’ll see you tomorrow.”

I snuck a glance at Warner. “I’ve seen two humans die in these cages. Vampires feed on them all night.”

“Warner will be fine. Right, Gia?” Zan drawled before sipping his drink.

“If that’s what you want,” Gia replied in her bubbly voice. “It’s your club.”

“Wait, wait,” another voice called out. “I know her too.”

I turned to see a man in a cage on the other side of the room, gripping the bars desperately. His graying hair was everywhere, and his unshaven beard was halfway down his neck. He was still wearing a tactical uniform that was ripped and filthy.

Zan raised an eyebrow. “You know her?”

The man nodded frantically. “Yes. And she wants me to stay alive.”

Pax grabbed my arm, warning me to stay quiet with a shake of his head. I wasn’t going to say anything anyway. I didn’t know this man, but I wasn’t going to make life harder on him either. Zan advanced toward the guy’s cage, stopping right in front.

“Okay, then what’s her favorite fruit?” Zan asked, sounding curious.

“It’s, uh, strawberries,” the man stammered out, looking at me like I could help him.

“Wrong.” Zan’s arm shot through the bar, his hand going around the guy’s throat just like he did with Warner. “It’s apples. You know what happens when humans lie in here.”

“Fuck you,” the guy spat out with fury. “Fucking bloodsucker. You’re all devils. You and all the others walking around like real men. The female vampires walking around like sluts. Just like her. When the humans invade this city, they’ll give her what she deserves and make all of you watch.”

“Too bad you won’t get the chance to watch anything else.”

With those words, Zan tightened his grip, squeezing until blood trailed down the guy’s neck from where he dug in his nails. The man writhed, his mouth open in a silent scream. My chest heaved as I watched, knowing anything I said wouldn’t help. Pax didn’t let me go until the man’s eyes rolled and the only thing holding him up was Zan’s hold.

After a few more moments, Zan released him, and his body hit the floor of the cage with a thud. I didn’t have to check to know the guy wasn’t breathing. He was already dead. Zan turned back toward me.

“Warner will live. For now.” He locked his stare on me. “Go home. Actually, go for a walk. I’ll even tell the watchers you’re free to leave the city tonight. Enjoy your time off.”

I clenched my teeth when I finally figured it out. He was using Warner against me. He knew I wouldn’t leave now because the person I cared for was here locked in a cage. There was no need for threats or chains. Not when he could hang Warner’s life over my head.

He grinned, his eyes still screaming danger as he waited for me to argue. Instead, I raised my chin and gave Warner one more look before walking stiffly toward the front door. Warner was screaming threats at Zan, but I didn’t look back. It wouldn’t change anything. I wasn’t even sure Pax would go through with his plan to entrance me after this. I needed to come up with a new idea. Before Zan lost his patience and killed Warner. Or me.

Chapter18

Zan

“I’m getting bored,” Viggo complained, sagging in his chair. “Please tell me we aren’t spending another night here.”

“Then go,” I snapped. “I’m not keeping you here.”

Pax shook his head. “You’ve been in a fucking mood since last night. Go feed and cool off.”

“I ate earlier.”

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