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Dannika had wondered why he had used his foreshadowing to anticipate the young reaper’s attack. While they were assessing his weakness, Killian was likely assessing his children. A reaper chess match ended one way: in death.
“Then how do I convince him to take me to the talisman?”
“You tell him it’s the only way to save him. Make up a story but sprinkle it with the truth.”
Dannika considered telling Julius that the talisman was, in fact, the only way to save Killian, but raising a demon and asking for its blood wasn’t on the menu. “He might believe that.”
“He won’t just believe it—he will do it. Our father will do anything to maintain power and control. But he’ll only take you to the talisman,” Julius said.
She ran her hand through her hair. “That might’ve been true when he could control me. He knows he can’t.”
Julius’ eyes flickered red. “Then let him believe he can. You can feel it when he’s inside your mind. Follow his instructions.”
She shivered at the thought before she realized Julius was speaking from experience. “He can control you?”
“Killian can control every reaper in this clan. He takes our blood regularly. He can block the rest of us from following you to the talisman, but if he believes he can control you, he will take you.”
The reaper that had given Dannika directions earlier entered the room.
“Julius, Killian is looking for you.” His eyes strayed to Dannika’s breasts. “It would be a shame to waste your sister’s assets.”
Dannika drew her reaper blade. “You will die before you touch me, pig.”
Julius laughed. “You should reconsider Breck’s proposal. You need a new mate, and he will be my lieutenant. Perhaps if you promise to keep my men happy, we could come to a new arrangement.”
Her jaw dropped. “Pimping your sister? That’s a new low even for a reaper.”
Julius moved so fast she didn’t track the movement. He grabbed her, pushing her up against the cave wall. “You are nothing to me. I am only keeping you alive because we want the same thing. Enemy of my enemy and all that shit.”
Dannika forced herself not to react. “You’re a real peach.”
“Tomorrow I will be the new leader of the reapers. You’ll either fall in line or die.”
She sneered at her brother. “I’m pretty sure this is why Killian doesn’t trust you.”
He arched his eyebrow. “Says the daughter conspiring to kill her father.”
Dannika waited for Julius to release her. “What do I do if he doesn’t believe me?”
Julius shrugged. “If he doesn’t believe you, he will kill you. Either way, I have one problem solved.”
CHAPTER23
Dannika wasn’t sure what she’d expected to find in Killian’s private suite. The Victorian-style couches with red velvet cushions and lavish oak finish were gaudily paired with the modern art on the walls. There was no design to the array of exquisite pieces. While all were beautiful, someone had mashed together various colors and opposing styles. Killian sat behind an antique cherry oak desk with his hands clasped together as she approached.
“I need to talk to you about Julius,” she said.
Killian sat back, causing the chair to squeak. “I expected you sooner. My son’s aspirations haven’t gone unnoticed, but you are the first overt move he’s made. He can’t decide whether he should kill you or use you. His indecision is his weakness. A leader should use every tool in his arsenal to maintain control.”
“Maybe, but that doesn’t change the fact that you’re going to die, and Julius knows it. He wants to kill me, but he wants to make sure the poison in your system weakens you so you can’t use your foreshadow ability.”
Killian pursed his lips. “I admit, I underestimated you. It never occurred to me you would poison yourself in order to kill me. Julius would never risk his own life. You have put me at a disadvantage, but you’ve spent some time with Julius now, and you realize I’m the lesser of two devils.”
Dannika had to give her father credit. He was smart. “You’re right. I hate you. You made my life a living hell, but Julius is deranged and I don’t want to help him take over the reaper clan.”
She’d wondered if it was true, but as she said the words, she knew it was. Dannika wasn’t a reaper yet. She couldn’t leave those in the clan, looking for redemption, the reapers like Zade, to Julius. She hated her brother.
“I want Julius dead.”
