Page 76 of Deceived

“Don’t do that again,” I growl but my heart isn’t in it.

He ducks his head and I move back to Rion who looks better after he fed too.

I wipe the pizza off my hands, setting my plate aside and pulling my hair away from my neck. It snags on my necklace, pulling it out of my shirt.

“Anna, what is that?” Rion asks in alarm, pointing at me.

“What?” I ask, looking down at my chest.

The others turn to see what the problem is.

“That necklace,” he clarifies.

My eyes shoot up to his. Does he recognize this? I glance at the guys, who are all staring in curiosity now.

“An amulet,” I say slowly.

I turn away, trying to end the conversation but Rion doesn’t let me.

“I know that. Why are you wearing it?” He sounds outraged.

I guess it’s time to come clean, otherwise, Rion is probably going to out me. Will they turn me in and lock me up for being a monster? Aksel might want to, he’s been wanting a way to get rid of me. Not sure about Blaze, but Griffyn and Felix won’t let them. I’m sure about that. They’ll fight them if they have to.

I sigh, shoulders dropping. “It helps me maintain control of myself.”

“Blood lust?” Griffyn guesses.

Everyone is staring at me.

“No, although that might be a small side effect. When Killian changed me, he… sired me.”

All their eyes widen but no one immediately freaks out so I’m taking that as a win.

“You’re sired to our enemy and didn’t say anything? You should be nowhere near him!” Aksel says outraged. He doesn’t say it, but I know what else he’s thinking: I shouldn’t be near them either.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t be, except the amulet keeps me out of his clutches. I don’t feel the sire bond or urges when I have it on. I haven’t taken it off since the day I got it,” I explain.

“That’s how he used you to attack Aly,” Felix concludes.

“And they still let you near their mate? They must really trust that amulet,” Aksel says.

The four Alpha Team members relax, but Rion still looks worried. He tries to step closer.

“Anna, I’m so sorry that happened, but you can’t keep wearing that. I’m surprised you’re not already sick considering this was months ago.” Rion lifts his hands like he’s going to remove it right now, but I step out of his reach.

“What are you talking about?” I ask.

“Sick?” Griffyn asks.

“You have to take it off. It’s slowly draining you of your powers until no amount of blood could sustain you. It’s the cost of the protection. It’s only supposed to be a short-term solution.” Rion tries again but I block him.

“I can’t take it off Rion, it’s too dangerous.”

“It’s too dangerous not to.”

“How do you know this?” Blaze asks.

“Lore said a witch made ten of them. Inspired by the turning of her mate, she wanted to ensure he was protected. When Killian learned of them, he wanted them all destroyed immediately. He said it was an affront to vampires everywhere. I learned about them while he went on a killing spree to ensure they were all gone. I’m surprised this one even survived this long. The witches’ mate died from the effects of the necklace,” Rion says.

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