Page 79 of Bite of Sin

“Warner,” Kali choked out. “Where are we?”

My heart pounded when I finally heard her voice. And as much as I hated it, relief swept through me. She’d been so close to death by the time I’d gotten to her in the club that I’d been worried I was too late. After my brothers and I had pushed the unit out of the city, I went back to the club while Viggo and Pax helped organize the clean-up. I had no idea some humans had slipped past the vampires or I never would have left Impulse. I didn’t even know if Gia was alive.

By giving Kali my blood, I shared a secret with her that I’d sworn to my father I would never reveal. Humans could not know, or they’d be bloodthirsty. We had done so much over the last several decades to keep it hidden. When I saved her, I thought she’d stay in my city. But now she was here. And if she told the Clovers, there was going to be a problem. I could not let that get out. Even when I gave her my blood, I made sure to keep my wrist hidden once I broke skin. Though I was so panicked when I saw her that I’d almost forgotten to hide it.

I banged the back of my head on the pole. Viggo was right. She was a liability. One that I couldn’t seem to leave alone.

“We’re in Galvin,” Warner answered. I forced my thoughts away so I could listen. They were at least two floors above me, and I had to concentrate to hear everything. “Tim and Jill ended up staying. Collin is covering for them at Project Hope.”

“Where’s Zan?”

Her question had my lips pulling up into a small grin. I was on her mind enough for her to ask about me nearly as soon as she woke up.

“He’s locked up. He can’t touch you anymore, Kali.”

She didn’t respond to Warner, and I ground my teeth when I heard something creaking. I had a feeling he’d just climbed onto the bed she was sleeping on.

“What happened?” he asked her softly. “I don’t remember anything. All I remember was seeing you on the floor with bodies everywhere.”

“PARA,” she said stiffly. “They came after me. And then…Zan showed up. He killed them before they got to me.”

“You were covered in blood,” he said in a low voice.

“I had to fight them off before Zan came.”

“There’s not a mark on you.”

She laughed, and I picked up immediately that it was forced.

“Tim did a good job with training me. Are you okay? You got shot.”

“Only in my arm. They already stitched it up. I’m good. How are you feeling?” he asked, worry in his voice.

“I’m fine,” she promised. Then footsteps softer than Warner’s began pacing the floor. “Is he here?”

“Who?”

She paused. “Zan.”

“Why?” Warner growled. “You don’t need to see him.”

“Because I still have questions for him,” she said, growing annoyed. “He wouldn’t answer when I was stuck with him. Maybe he will now.”

I scoffed in amusement. Apparently her brush with death did nothing to her attitude. She also didn’t tell Warner about me saving her with my blood. Thank fuck. I hoped she continued to stay quiet about it.

“Tim will get all the answers you want,” Warner said tightly. “Just talk to Tim and Jill about it. Stay away from the vampire, Kali.”

“I need food.” She changed the subject. “Where’s the kitchen?”

“Downstairs. I’ll go with you.” His footsteps joined hers for a moment before they both stopped. “Wait. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get snappy with you. I’m just—fuck. It was a long nine days. And having to watch that fucking vampire touch you like he owned you. I don’t know what he did to you, but I just want to make sure you’re okay.”

“He didn’t hurt me,” she murmured. “I’m fine. Just hungry.”

“Don’t push me away. I couldn’t take it. We’ve lost Lisa and Helena.” His voice cracked before he cleared his throat. “We’re all each other has now.”

Rage clouded my thoughts, but before I could keep listening, the basement door slammed back open. I flicked my gaze toward Tim as he filled the doorway, irritated that he was interrupting me.

“Ready for some more questions?” Tim asked, holding a stake.

---