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She growled low in her throat when she recalled the way Victor had looked at her, as if she was some kind of whore. Where did he get off judging her when he had kidnapped her? She frowned, certain he wouldn’t have dared such a thing without her father’s approval. And just as certain that her father had given it.
As if conjured by the thought, the door opened and her father stepped into the room.
One look at his face, and she went cold all over. She had only seen that expression once before, when he had sentenced a rogue werewolf to death.
He closed the door behind him. “We need to talk.”
Those four words always meant bad news. Unable to help herself, she began to tremble.
“You have defied me at every turn. You have humiliated me in front of our people, and what’s worse, in front of the Green Mountain Pack.”
She stared at him, her mouth dry, her palms damp. She would have been less frightened if he had slapped her or yelled at her. Anything would be better than his soft words, the quiet menace in his eyes.
“You ran away with that bloodsucker, and then you shamed yourself, and me, by sleeping with him.”
“We … we’re …” She took a deep breath; then, hoping the truth would make him think better of her, she said, “We’re married.”
“I guess you’ve forgotten that marriages performed outside the pack aren’t valid. In nine days, the moon will be full. You will wed Victor at that time.”
Gathering her courage, she said, “Father, I’m begging you, please don’t make me do this.”
He squared his shoulders, his hands clenching at his sides, his expression implacable. He wasn’t her father now, but her Alpha. “If you openly defy me again, Kiya Marie, I will have no choice but to sentence you to death. Do you understand?”
She nodded, unable to speak past the thick lump in her throat.
“I have rescinded the vampire’s invitation. He will no longer be able to enter the compound or any of the houses inside the fence. Nor will anyone else be able to invite him in. If I see him again, I will destroy him.” He fixed her with a hard stare. “I am aware of his ability to communicate with you telepathically. If he contacts you, you will tell me immediately. Is that clear?”
Kay bit down on her lower lip.
“Is that clear?” the Alpha repeated, his warning as sharp and clear as glass.
She nodded. It was hard to lie while meeting her Alpha’s gaze, but Kay knew she would die before she betrayed Gideon into her father’s hands.
* * *
Chapter 27
Verah glared at the Alpha’s son. “I gave you the information you desired. Alissano has the girl. Now, let me go.”
Victor shook his head. “Not yet.”
“What more do you want from me?” she asked impatiently.
“I find I rather like having a witch at my disposal. I have plans for the future and it occurs to me that, with your help, I’ll be able to achieve them much faster.”
“And if I refuse, will you threaten my familiar again?” She shook her head. “You can only play that card so many times.”
He scowled. She was smarter than he gave her credit for. “Perhaps we can strike a deal.”
“What do you have to offer?”
“What do you want?”
She held out her bound hands. “My freedom.”
Victor made a dismissive gesture with his hand. “What else?”
“I need the vampire that accompanies the girl.” She was addicted to his blood, not only the vile taste of it, but its effect on her health and outward appearance. Vanity might be a sin, but she didn’t care. She had always been proud of her fine, clear skin, her thick pale blond hair, the slender figure that growing old had stolen from her.
Victor frowned. “What possible use can you have for a bloodsucker?”
“My reasons are my own.” And they grew more urgent with every passing day. “I need the girl for bait.”
“That’s why you broke into the house?” Victor exclaimed. “You were looking for Kiya?”
Verah nodded. “If I have the girl, I’ll have the vampire, as well.” And she needed him desperately. She didn’t have to see her reflection in a mirror to know that she was growing older, more feeble, more hideous, with every passing day. Her ugliness was evident in the revulsion in the boy’s eyes every time he looked at her.
Victor frowned thoughtfully, then nodded. “Agreed, but with one condition.”
“I’m listening.”
“Once you have the vampire, I want you to kill the girl.”
“My pleasure.”
Victor grinned. “There’s just one other condition. The girl must live long enough to give me an heir. Until then, you’ll remain here.”
“No!” she shrieked. “I need the bloodsucker now!”
“That’s my deal, witch. Take it or leave it.”
She hissed at him, but in the end, she knew she had no other choice. Forcing a smile, she said, “I’ll take it.”
“Make that two conditions,” Victor decided.
“What else do you want?” She hissed the words at him.
“Tell me why you need the vampire.”
“I need his blood.”
“Very funny,” he muttered, then frowned thoughtfully. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
She didn’t answer, just glared at him.
With a shake of his head, the Alpha’s son left the basement.
“You’ll rue the day you were born,” Verah murmured. “When I am free, you will curse the man who spawned you and the woman who gave you life.”
* * *
Chapter 28
Kay sat on the edge of her bed, staring at nothing. She was, for all intents and purposes, a prisoner in her own home. She wasn’t allowed to leave the house. There was a guard outside her bedroom window, and another at her door. She was never alone, except in her room. She supposed she should be grateful her father hadn’t left her in the dungeon, but at a time like this, it was hard to summon any feelings of gratitude.
At her father’s request, Victor had moved into the house. If her father hoped that spending more time in Victor’s company would make her care for him, he had been badly mistaken. The more she saw him, the more she despised him. He was a vain and selfish man. And he was hiding something; she was sure of it. Why couldn’t her father see that?
Not only was she forced to endure Victor’s company at mealtimes, but her father insisted she remain downstairs on those nights when he called the pack together, whether it was for a movie night or to discuss pack business.
