Poison's Kiss (Deadly Beauties 2)

My stomach does somersaults the second he lets that bit of information free. I try not to act affected, but I'm sure it's written in my eyes.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have mentioned him. I sometimes forget my manners. It's new to me... all of this, still. I'm struggling with the transition process, so I'm stuck between human feelings and vampiric coldness. Kane assures me I'll fully find my way back to my human emotions one day."

Ha. That's ironic.

"I don't think he should be one to give advice on such. I didn't realize you're new."

He smirks, taking in my snarky remark on Kane, and then he reclines back on the bed.

"Just a few years in. That's why I still crave the bite. Thanks to Deke and Kane, I've got my blood thirst under control. My sire was killed last year by another one of her spawned creations. It worked out to my benefit. I only had to break a few of the painful binds to her in order to escape into hiding."

So Zee and Amy are both newbies. That's surprising. He seems so... at ease with his newer, darker self.

His jet black hair is spiky, different from the others in Kane's coven. He's very lean, but muscular. Of course he's sexy. Just like all the immortals. I hate my world.

"Didn't feel like falling into the vicious folds of the life?" I ask, looking for insight.

"Not at all. I never wanted to be a killer. My sire wanted me, liked the way I looked in a pair of jeans. She didn't want to share either. She killed my fiancée, and then she turned me, planning to make me into one of her possessions for all eternity. Her seductive hold over me didn't last long because she wasn't very strong. After a year, I came to my senses, and Kane was there with Dray. They saved me."

It's hard to think of Kane as a hero when he's my destroyer. Though he's saved me in the past, now he's merciless.

"You know it was us who saved you that night in the woods, don't you?" he asks, a smile growing on his lips.

"Yeah. I figured it out when Kane brought up the redhead comment."

He laughs and then shakes his head. "That night, too, but I'm talking about when you were in the dark users' forest."

My heart sinks to my toes. "So you knew. He did know, and he's been faking this whole time. I was right."

None of that was a question. I knew he knew.

"No, actually we had no clue. What light witch in her right mind strolls through dark user territory? We thought you were as mortal as they came. You never once used your power or showed your mark. It shocked the fuck out of Amy when you pinned her with the earth."

I'm not sure if I believe him, but I'm not arguing tonight. This whole time I thought Thad and his group had been my heroes that night.

His phone rings, and he slips it free with a frown.

"Hey," he murmurs softly, and my hyped up hearing offers me a chance to hear the other side.

"My source was a dead end. Sierra said you're in Edgebrook. Where are you? I'll come fill you in."

Kane. Fuck, it's Kane.

He didn't even know Zee was staying with me.

"I'm at the Cliffside hotel with... Alyssa. Tha-"

"Alyssa?" he screeches, seeming pissed and betrayed. "What th

e hell are you doing in a fucking hotel with Alyssa? Zee, I'll kick your ass if you-"

"I'm here because Thad had to go handle some stuff and Gage is out of town. She isn't allowed to stay alone with Castine stalking her."

Zee is fighting back his laughter. He's intentionally poking the bear and loving it. I guess Kane may not want me, but he sure as hell doesn't want his friends pawing at me either.

"What are you supposed to do if Castine shows up?" He sounds really, really pissed now. "I can't believe they just fucking left her with you."

"Hey, easy. I'm not defenseless, and I'm fast as hell, for the record. I could get her out of here and far away before Castine even knew which room we're in."