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Julius cleared his throat. “Give her to Ferguson or another like him.”
Dannika stepped from behind Killian. “I’m not some piece of meat you can hand around to your friends. I didn’t want Zade, but our agreement died with him.”
Killian growled at his son. “This is why I didn’t want him dead. Now I have to control her. She is unruly, but she keeps her word.”
Dannika put her hands up as she backed away. “You’re not controlling me. I’ll die before I do your bidding again.”
Killian’s mind whipped inside hers, shadowy claws attempting to grab hold of her consciousness. The potion in her blood fought against the ghostly intruder.
“Submit.”
She clutched her head with both hands. “Never.”
Julius touched his father’s arm. “Why isn’t it working?”
Killian’s eyes narrowed on his daughter. “The blood connection is too weak. That is easily rectified.”
He strode over to Dannika and grabbed her by the neck.
She hit his arm, feigning her shock, but the fear was real. So was the pain as his fangs bit into her neck.
Fire raced through her blood is the venom took hold. It wouldn’t control her, not this time, but the liquid life flowing from her body made her weak and dizzy. She crumpled to the ground when Killian released her.
Killian knelt beside her as the blisters on his face receded. “That’s better, but now you’re too weak to do anything.”
She smiled up at him as she inhaled dirt into her lungs. “I’m dying, but so are you.”
The confidence in Killian’s face faltered. “You lie.”
She closed her eyes, praying that the room would stop spinning. “You know I’m not.”
Killian stood. “Julius, keep her story between us. Take her to the recovery room.”
Julius cradled her in his arms as he walked from the cavern. Her eyes fluttered as she inhaled her brother’s sick scent.
“You can kill me now,” she whispered.
“Did you mean what you said? Is our father dying?”
The tunnels faded as she welcomed the darkness. She wasn’t sure how long she drifted in a sea of black shade.
Then something stung her cheek, and she snapped her eyes open.
She clutched the arm of a leather couch as Julius snarled at her. “Wake up. What did you do to our father?”
She swallowed the dry blood in her mouth. “I ingested a poison. He will show signs of the effects soon.”
“It will weaken him? Weaken you?” Julius asked.
She attempted to focus on the room. The rock walls moved in the lazy pattern above her head, making her stomach roll.
Julius brought the sword to her neck. “Answer me.”
She met her brother’s angry red eyes. “Kill me. I don’t care.”
Julius lowered the blade. “No. I need you. I’m not foolish enough to go on your word.”
“Whatever.”
