Page 1 of Deceived

One

Anna

I’m staring into the eyes of my ex-boyfriend and killer. His green eyes are desperate as he takes in my every detail.

My entire world has been flipped upside down. Everything I’ve believed since the day I was changed into a vampire is wrong.

This Ryan didn’t kill me. His twin brother did. A twin I didn’t even know he had.

Ryan’s voice is scratchy and dry as he says, “Anna.”

I take a step towards him, but Blaze tightens his grip around my middle, pulling me back tighter against his body.

This room in a secret hallway of the mansion grows smaller.

“Anna, he could be lying. Just because he says his brother is the Ryan we’ve been hunting doesn’t mean he’s innocent,” Griffyn says, voice hard.

“He’s in a cage, Griffyn. Does it look like he’s on his brother’s side?” I say.

Blaze lets me push out of his arms before saying, “She’s right, look at him. He’s in terrible shape.”

Blaze pushes past me and closer to the cage.

“Aksel, what are you sensing from him?” Griffyn asks, shoulders tense as he scoots closer to me.

Begrudgingly, Aksel answers, “Not much, which means it’s mostly a positive emotion, but he’s also feeling anguish.”

“We need to get him out of here and get some answers. Ryan could come back and with this dead weight and no Felix we will be at a disadvantage,” Aksel says.

“Iam Ryan. My brother is not,” the caged Ryan declares.

No one comments.

My mind is reeling. How is this possible? I see what’s right in front of me but my feelings aren’t as quick to switch over. There’s still fear and hatred in my gut when I look at his face. I’ve spent a long time hating him and wanting him dead. Reconciling that there are two of them won’t be easy.

I won’t be snuggling up to him any time soon. That doesn’t mean I want him suffering in a cage.

“How do we get him out of there?” I ask.

Blaze steps forward to inspect the cage. When he tries to unlock the door, Ryan shouts, “Wait!” But it’s too late. Blaze’s entire body seizes up until he falls backward and away from it.

I rush to his side, kneeling next to him. “Blaze, are you okay?”

He grunts but allows me to help him sit up. The dragon shifter doesn’t push me away as I fuss over him. Progress.

“So it is sealed with magic,” Aksel concludes.

“Yes, no one can touch the lock,” Ryan tells us.

“He has to let you out sometimes. How does he do it?” Griffyn asks, voice stiff.

He’s moved closer to where I’m kneeling next to Blaze. His legs are brushing against my back.

“I don’t know a lot about magic, but he’s always holding this milky white stone when he does it.”

“You don’t know a lot about magic? You’re a vampire who is over three thousand years old. Don’t bullshit us,” Aksel sneers.

Aksel turns away but I don’t miss the flash of pain on Ryan’s face. His expression scrunches up before he quickly smooths it over.

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