“She will soon enough,” Dad says.“But you can change all of that.”
“Right.If I renounce Rogan.Not in this lifetime.”
“You can, Hannah,” my father says.“And deep within yourself, you know it.”
I shake my head.“Don’t.Just don’t.You’re trying to make me forget why I’m here.I want to know,my king,” I say snidely, “if you believe I cut out those vampires’ hearts?”
61
My father doesn’t reply.
Shocking.
Rousseau removes his steel helmet.He’s blond with blue eyes, large with a stocky build.
Totally not Larissa’s type.
But do I even know my sister’s type?I haven’t seen her in...Months?Years?
I sigh.Now isn't the time to lament my relationships with my mother and sister.
“Do you believe I cut out those vamps’ hearts?”I ask my father.
“No, Hannah.I do not.Why would I have sent you to Rogan if I already had the answers I wanted you to find?”
“Oh, I don’t know.I haven’t quite figured out the intricacies of your mind.Thank God.But you had an ulterior motive, and I'll figure it out.”
Dad rubs his forehead.“Victor Rogan is a strong wolf.The strongest, even.But heissusceptible to mind control.”
“He’s not,” I say.“I’ve tried.”
“You’re only half vampire, Hannah.Your control isn’t as strong as mine.”
“Are you telling me you used mind control on Rogan?”
He shakes his head.“I have not.You know how I feel about mind control.But although I’m the king, not all vampires feel as I do.Some use it for...nefarious purposes.”
“Are you saying...”My heart pounds.“Are you saying some rogue vampire convinced Rogan that I’m the one who cut out those vampire hearts?”
“It’s only a theory.There’s also another explanation.”
“And that is...?”
My father glances at Rousseau.A look passes between them—one I’m unable to decipher.Has Rousseau been on his knees for my father?Is that why he dropped so quickly?
No.He’s not my father’s type.He’s too big and burly.
Dad clears his throat.“The other explanation is that Rogan is correct.”
Anger curls up my spine.“You can’t be serious.”
“Iamserious.I’m not saying I believe it.”
“You mother-fuck—”
“Watch your language.”From Rousseau.
I turn and execute a roundhouse kick to the side of his head.He lands on his ass with anoof.