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Kali
“What’s going on, Zan?” I asked again as I followed him downstairs. My hair was still dripping wet, and I’d had just enough time to brush it and get dressed before he practically dragged me out of the bedroom.
“You’ll see in a minute,” he answered vaguely.
Ice flowed through my veins. Was Amaros back? What the hell was going on inside Impulse to make him act so uneasy? My steps faltered once we were down the stairs. Zan slowed down, waiting for me to walk ahead of him. I peeked around the corner, my heart going haywire when I spotted the woman near the bar.
“You know her.”
Zan’s voice had my eyes snapping to him. He was watching me intently, and I realized why he hadn’t told me anything until I saw her. He wanted my honest reaction. And he’d gotten it. In no way was I expecting Asami to show up here.
“Yes,” I said slowly. “She’s from Project Hope. How’d she get here?”
“She showed up outside the city. Is she a Clover?”
“No,” I answered quickly. “She’s not part of any of that. She runs the library.”
“Mm,” Zan hummed out. “That’s where you found all the books you love to read. You’re close to her?”
I bit my tongue, surprise rocking me that he remembered what I’d told him. Asami’s gaze landed on me, and she gave me a soft smile as she stood from the bar stool. My heart clenched, a tear threatening to escape as I crossed the room. Her comforting scent engulfed me as she pulled me into a hug. I choked back a cry as I squeezed her tightly.
Seeing her had memories slamming into me. My old life. Other than Warner, she was the only person I cared about. Ever since Zan had brought me back here, I hadn’t let myself think of her. Or Warner. It only hurt to think about them when I had no idea if I’d see them again.
“What are you doing here?” I mumbled, not letting her go. “How did you get out of the city?”
“I saw you the day you came back to Project Hope,” she said softly. “With all three of them. You dropped down into a tunnel to leave the city. Once it was clear, I went and explored.”
“And you decided to come into a city full of vampires?” Viggo drawled, cocking his head. “By yourself? Not smart.”
I pulled away from her, giving Viggo a warning look. “Don’t threaten her.”
Asami sucked in a quick breath, and I glanced at her, taking in the shock covering her face. Her eyes darted between Viggo and me, and I realized my words were the cause of her reaction. Speaking to a vampire like that wasn’t something she was used to. My stomach knotted. I was far too comfortable living here with the Kane brothers.
“Why are you here?” Zan asked, crossing his arms.
“I wanted to see Kali,” Asami answered, her voice wavering slightly. “I miss her.”
“That’s it?” Pax’s voice was full of skepticism. “You snuck through the woods and came here just to see her?”
“I had no idea where she was,” she said tightly. “But I watched you take Tim into the tunnel. I guessed you weren’t staying far away.”
“You’re lucky PARA didn’t catch you,” I breathed out.
Asami wasn’t with the Clovers. She didn’t have training or the skills to be outside the city. I was in shock that she was here.
“Can we talk?” she asked, her gaze drifting to Zan. “Alone?”
“Sure,” Zan said smoothly, speaking up before I could. “You two stay here and have a drink. You’ve got a little less than an hour before this place opens. Enjoy.”
He nodded to the twins, and without another word, the three of them headed back toward the stairs. Asami’s lips parted, her eyes wide as they disappeared around the corner.
I rolled my eyes. “They did that for their benefit.”
She turned her attention to me. “What?”
I tapped my ear. “We’re never alone here.”
Understanding hit her face, and she nodded as she sat back down on the bar stool. Zan didn’t want me taking her to his room where he wouldn’t be able to listen. The soundproof back rooms were always locked, which meant there was nowhere I could go to have a private conversation with Asami.
