“But I am.And you are what I always knew you were.”
I push, will my muscles to surge forward, brace against the invisible force holding me.“The only embodiment of evil here is you.You and your demon minions.”
“There was a time”—his deep voice slithers over me as if a cobra is squeezing the life out of me— “when your mother believed me.She believed I was right about you.She chose me over you.Over both you and Larissa.”
“She sees through you,” I grit out.“Weallsee through you.”
“You do, perhaps.And Larissa, in her way.But your mother?Elisa will always ultimately choose me over anyone else.I’ve seen to that.”
“But she doesn’t believe you.She doesn’t believe Larissa and I are bad.”
“Not anymore.”His tongue slides out of his mouth as he licks his lips.
I hold back a retch.It’s bad enough that I’m kneeling.I won’t show anymore weakness in front of this monster.
“But that,” he continues, “doesn’t change how she feels aboutme.”
I wince, forcing myself—my body as strong as it ever was with Rogan’s blood pulsing through me—to stand.
Move, muscles! Move, legs!
I break free with sheer will until I’m standing—albeit unsteadily—in front of my stepfather.
In front of the demon king.
“I will never again kneel in your presence,” I say.“And I fucking meannever.”
“Don’t be so sure about that.”
A demonic force pushes at me, but I resist.With everything in me, I resist.
“You are truly evil,” I spit.“And I willneverbe like you.”
“You already are, Hannah.What other kind of person would condemn her sister to such a fate?”
“I had no choice.”
“And isn’t that interesting?Isn’t it interesting that you, firstborn daughter to the reigning vampire king, would find yourself mated to an alpha wolf?”
“There’s nothing interesting about it.It’s nature.And no one can control nature.”
“Seems nature has done a good job of controlling you, though.Damning you to forsake your sister.Your mother.”
I curl my hands into fists.“I need his fucking blood!”
“Right.The blood lust.Your father’s curse.”Richard strokes his chin.“I wonder...How is it that it led you to Victor Rogan?”
“Nature,” I grit out again.
“Nature for him, maybe.Not for you.But as you say, no one can control nature.It controlsyou.”
“I’m tired of this game, Richard.”I take a forced step forward.“Where is Rogan?Why have you brought me here?”
“You’re mine now.Thatnature, which you’ve resisted your entire life, has now taken control of you.You are fighting against your vampire brotherhood and for the demons.Forme.”
“I fight with my mate, you bastard.With my mate, and I’ll find a way to fight for my sister and my mother.They’re not vampires.”
“Your sister is.She’s half vampire, just as you are.”