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“It wasn’t a mission,” Cassius started, flicking his eyes over to Phillip. “It was an execution.”
My partner visibly reacted, the lines of his face deepening. “What do you mean?”
“I didn’t see everything, but they weren’t killed by the magic-user initially claimed. Though, that was what got written on the report—that I’d killed them in a fit of vengeance. They were killed by your very own Hunters. Stronger Hunters than I’d ever encountered. Ones like you but different. Hunters with magic.”
Hunters with magic?
The mysterious Fae carded through his light hair and fixed his name-brand shirt, one leg crossing over the other, cuff boot bouncing, as if he wasn’t in the middle of an interrogation. He sat there, acting like he hadn’t been one of the last people to see my parents alive. And if his face was anything to go by, I couldn’t trust the bastard to be telling us the truth.
What if Cassius really killed my parents?
Phillip appeared to be contemplating something, positioned directly behind Cassius with the string still wrapped tightly around the tall Dark Fae’s arms, both pieces held in one of his hands.
I stole a glance at Phillip, not sure what to believe. “It was reported this marked up dude killed them and you didn’t think I’d want to know that before coming into this room?”
Phillip crossed his arms, biceps bulging as Cassius was tugged back and groaned. Silent for a breath, the Austrian stared at me before speaking, “He didn’t kill them.”
I was angry, and it very likely showed on my face. “And you know this how?”
“Truth bracelet,” Phillip said, nodding his chin down at the Dark Fae’s wrist. “He can’t lie with that on, or his own magic will attack him.” Lips lifting mischievously, Phillip offered me a smug look. “One of my cleverer inventions, wouldn’t you say?” But then the Austrian’s self-satisfied grin disappeared. “You say it was magic-using Hunters?”
“That’s the whole reason why the Organization wants me dead. I’m the only one who knows they’ve crossbred humans with our kind. Well, that and they pinned it on me. You know how it goes. If the Organization decides you’ve lost your use, they get rid of you.”
“Wait a second,” I cut in, not breathing. “Crossbred humans with Fae?” Phillip didn’t appear surprised, so I stared at him. “You didn’t know about this, right?”
Phillip struggled to answer. “I didn’t know it had any connection with your parents.”
“That doesn’t answer my question,” I snapped back heatedly.
Cassius moved anxiously, grunting when Phillip yanked the string to reassert his dominance. “What, she doesn’t know about that? Thought you said she was your partner.” Phillip scowled at the Dark Fae, whose eyes stayed on me. “Yeah, little missy, the Organization doesn’t just experiment using vampire blood. They’re dabbling in it all, the fucking sickos.”
My mouth hung open, and I stood stupidly in front of the strange man who’d seen my parents die, unable to voice my surprise.
So, again, Phillip hadn’t told me everything. Again, I was left in the dark. Again, some stranger told me what Phillip failed to divulge—no, what Phillip decided not to tell me. It was the sting of betrayal that stole my voice. It was knowing that after all these weeks together, Phillip still kept the most important things from me.
The Organization was genetically replicating and cross-mixing more than just vampires and humans. They were toying with more than just one type of blood. They were playing God. What was this, Frankenstein’s monster?
Shit on a stick, I’m really starting to miss my ignorant vampire hunter days.
“So why kill my parents?” I hissed, failing to keep the emotion from my voice. “What did they do to deserve to die?” I asked louder, hands fisted.
Cassius shrugged. “They knew too much. Their death warrants were signed the minute they discovered that experimental facility after questioning your birth. Any longer, I’m confident they would’ve figured out it all linked back to the Organization. So, they got wiped out before they were a problem. That’s my guess, anyway.”
My birth?
Seeing how distraught I was, Phillip whacked the Dark Fae across the top of his head and removed the binding around Cassius’s arms. He aimed a crossbow at the magic-user and came over to my side, but Cassius only rubbed his arms and stayed where he was. It was obvious the Fae was scared of what Phillip could do to him, and he wouldn’t bother to escape at this point.
“You okay?” my partner asked of me.
I swallowed, not even sure how to answer. “I don’t know what you expect me to say. I’m so mad at you right now.”
Phillip jerked his eyes over to me, audibly sighed, then stared at our captive. “There’s a lot I haven’t told you. For good reason. I know you hate me right now, but I didn’t say anything because you’ve had enough to worry about.”
“Sounds like a cop-out to me,” I grumbled, but his words calmed some of the rage. “I wished you’d stop treating me like a kid.”
Phillip’s smirk gave him away before he uttered a damn word. “Thought I made it clear I didn’t see you as a kid before we got here.”
“Shut up, you gross old man,” I retorted, blushing an embarrassing cherry-red.
