“I know.”
Those tired eyes foundme once more. “How do you know?”
“Because I killedMichael.”
He snorted, relaxinghis hold on his knees. “Werewolves killed Michael.”
“No, Werewolvestortured Michael.” I crossed my arms over my chest in anattempt to look relaxed. I was foolishly telling a Vampire who hadalready attacked me that I had killed his Leader. Probably not thebest idea in the world.
“That’s if he isthe Vampire who attacked you. You didn’t get a good look athim.”
“I killedMichael.”
He stared at me for along time. There was something very off putting about the way hestudied me.
“Like he’sstripping you with his eyes, but skin and all.”
Not helpful,Elle. I bit my tongue and held his gaze.
“Why were you with theWerewolves?”
“To make a deal.”
“We don’t make dealswith Werewolves.”
And boy, didn’t I knowit.
“Maybe Michael didn’t,but I do, and it was just the one.”
“What kind ofdeal?”
I would get to that,but I also didn’t want to have to explain the vast details on aone-to-one basis. Especially if any of the remaining Leeches wantedto challenge me for Leadership.
“Is there anyone elsehere?” I glanced at the closed double door at the other side of theroom, aware of the fact that I hadn’t checked it or the other twolevels above us.
“Only a few. There’snot many of us left now.” Anger tinged the end of his words.
Understandable. Nocreature in their right mind would be happy about having their kindhunted and killed, but the way the young Vampire said those wordsalmost sounded like the Pack had actually wiped them all out. ThePack sure would be pleased with themselves.
“You didn’t answer myquestion.” His tone changed, a lick of irritation coating hiswords. “What type of deal?”
My gaze met his again,and he suddenly looked older, less fearful. More …
“Like apredator?”
A flash of red eyesfilled my mind, and an unsettling chill crept up my spine. I’dspent enough alone time with my new friend. I pushed myself off thewindowsill.
“I’m rounding everyoneup to discuss the new arrangements. So, if you could comedownstairs?”
His features suddenlysoftened, and he rested his chin against his knees. “How do youknow you can trust the Wolves after what they’ve done?”
The action seemed odd.Almost forced.
“Instincts.” I stoppedin front of him and held my hand out. “Why don’t you comedownstairs, and I will tell you and the others all about it.”
He slid his hand intomine without hesitation. His slender fingers wrapped around mywrist, clasping firmly. “You haven not told me your name.”
I pulled him to hisfeet. He stood at the same height as me. His frame and build werealmost identical to mine, but as we stood eye to eye, I could seeby his posture that he knew how to hold himself.
Prizing my hand fromhis, I took a step back and forced a smile. “Nathan. I’m the newColony Leader.”
***
“You expect us tobelieve you killed Michael when we know for a fact the Pack tookhim and have been slaughtering our kind across the country?” Theburly, blond Vampire sneered.
“I just told you Idid.”
The seven Vampires wehad found hiding out in the Nest burst into another fit oflaughter. We had brought them all to the living room in the middlehouse to break the news but hadn’t quite made it past the part ofMichael being dust and me taking over.
They stood haphazardlyaround the large room, glaring at me and Elle who had takenposition with our backs to the open reception room. The room wasvoid of furniture, which made the whole situation feel morevulnerable, but at least we could see them all clearly and couldwatch for any tell-tale signs of them getting ready to attack.
“It seems somewhatfar-fetched.” The female who stood by his side quirked an eyebrowat me.
I threw my manilafolder on the mahogany floorboards.
“I have no idea whatyour Leaders told you or what they kept secret, but Vampires havebeen experimenting on humans and Infecteds.” I pointed to myfolder. “They have kidnapped Werewolves and burnt down the PackKeep. That is the reason the Wolves have been out killingy’all.”
“And why didn’t theykill you?” a Hispanic-looking male asked.
“Because I’m not likeyou.”
That remarked earnedme another round of grumbles and sneers. My God, it was liketalking to a room full of teenagers.
“Look, the bottom lineis, I’m pissed off that this happened t’me, and I am damn wellgoing t’make sure this stops.”
“Pussy,” the blondspat.
“Kick him in hisface, Than. You don’t have to take this shite.” The Teenstopped in front of the Blond Vamp and attempted to punch him inthe stomach, her phantom fingers passing through him.
I also don’t wanteverything to be about violence.
“Laugh it up all youwant. You may have been given the option to become an immortalblood sucker, but I wasn’t.” I placed my hands on my hips. “Now,your Masters and Mistress—”
“My Mistress is rightnext to me,” the blond commented.
The dark-skinnedbeauty glared at me, her eyes an unusual mix of hazel and green.“And my Mistress is in America.”
“So, the Vampires thatsired you are not part of the UK Colony?” Elle looked at them allseparately before glancing at me. “That makes sense why they’re allstill here.”
“Some of us have lostBloodlings.” A brunette hissed.
“And I’m sure thathurts, but as of yesterday, this Colony and the Pack are now in anagreement to stay clear of each other,” Elle explained.
The female snorted.“You expect them to honour such an arrangement.”
“Yeah, I do.”
“This is a joke.” Theblond shook his head.
“You have a choice.You are free t’leave this Colony and go on your merry way, but Iwould highly advise you get out of the country because as soon asyou leave this Nest, you are fair game for the Werewolves andSlayers of this world.”
“So, you send us toour death?” the Hispanic male asked.
“No, yourdecision to refuse this new change will lead to your demise,” Isaid with a smile. “If you stay here, you will be fed—”
“Blood bags are likepiss. Nothing beats drinking from the source,” the blond spat.
“Be that as it may, weno longer feed off humans, and if you are caught, you will be madean example of.” I shrugged. “The choice is yours. All I can promiseis you’ll never be left in the dark, and you won’t go
