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Zan stepped in front of me, breaking into my thoughts. I caught Pax’s eye, and my stomach bottomed out, seeing a frown on his face. He was worried. My gaze cut to the other man, and I studied him silently as they stopped in front of us.
He looked oddly familiar, even though I’d never seen him before, but I didn’t have to put the pieces together anymore because when I met his stare, a chill ripped through me. His green eyes were a couple shades darker than Zan’s, but it didn’t matter. They were still identical. The more I studied him, the more I could see Zan in him. His black hair was cut shorter than Zan’s, and he was maybe half an inch taller.
I could see the twins too. When he smirked, I saw Viggo’s grin. Except there wasn’t anything nice or playful in it. His smile was rooted in nothing but evil and cruelness. He hadn’t spoken a word yet, but there was no doubt in my mind about who was standing only feet away from me.
Amaros Kane. Zan’s father. Leader of the vampires. Who was notoriously known for how he treated humans.
“Son, you’ve been holding out on me.” Amaros’s voice was the same as the night he was in Impulse. I had been scared then, but it was nothing compared to how I felt being face to face with him right now. “Who is this?”
“Her name is Kali,” Zan said, his voice strained.
After a second of hesitation, Zan shifted to the side, letting his father get a look at me. It took everything not to squirm under his hard stare. His eyes traveled down my body and then back up before abruptly stopping on my chest. Right where Zan’s necklace sat. My heart seized despite me trying to control it.
“Kali.” The way he repeated my name had ice sliding through my veins. “How very nice to meet you.”
I licked my lips, unsure of how to answer. I still had the lotion on, and I wasn’t sure if he thought I was a vampire or human. The blanket around me did nothing to make me feel better. I’d never felt so vulnerable in my life. Zan was right next to me, and as much as I hated to admit it, his presence was giving me a slice of comfort. But would he stand up to his father if Amaros tried something? I didn’t know.
“We have a lot to talk about,” Amaros said, an unsettling smile on his face. “Zan, walk with me. Pax will stay with Kali while she gets dressed…unless she’s comfortable to stay in that blanket?”
“I’ll stay with Kali?—”
“That’s not what I said.” Amaros cut Zan off sharply. “I want to talk to you. Your brother will make sure she gets back to Impulse. Won’t you, Pax?”
Pax’s smile was forced. “Of course, Dad.”
Zan didn’t move a muscle, his eyes darting to mine. His jaw was clenched tight, and he finally took a step away from me. Amaros followed Zan back toward the stairs, and I watched them as they climbed higher before disappearing into the darkness. I whirled around to look at Pax, and he shook his head, putting his finger to his lips.
“Get dressed,” he said as he turned around until his back was to me. “Hurry up.”
My hands shook as I crouched down to look for my clothes. I found my leggings first, and I slid those on while keeping the blanket around me. It took me longer to find my bra and shirt, but Pax didn’t say a word the entire time, keeping his back to me.
“My boots are near the steps,” I muttered. “You can turn around now.”
Pax spun around and strode closer until I could see his grim expression. He tilted his ear away from the beach, and then nodded.
“They’re far enough away now,” he mumbled. “Sorry, Kali.”
“Sorry for what?”
Pity filled his eyes. “Zan never wanted our father to know about you.”
My stomach knotted. “Is he going to kill me?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “No, I don’t think so.”
His words did not make me feel better. There was something he wasn’t saying. But apparently, he was done talking, because he strode toward the stairs, clearly expecting me to follow him. Biting my lip, I glanced down the beach. Every instinct was demanding that I run. There was nothing good that would come out of being near Amaros Kane.
“You wouldn’t get far,” Pax called out. “You don’t want to piss off my dad. He’s expecting you at Impulse. Let’s go.”
My steps were heavy, my body filled with lead as I made my way toward the stairs. Pax was standing there, waiting for me. I sat on the bottom step and slipped on my socks and then my boots. Reaching around, I pushed the sand around until I found my stake. I could feel Pax’s eyes on me, but he didn’t say a word when I shoved it into my boot.
He sighed. “Come on, let’s get this done.”
Chapter 11
Zan
Holy fuck.
