Tyrant (Scars of the Wraiths #2)(87)

He kept his voice low as he said, “I didn’t intend to work for your husband. I was searching for a place in this world to settle, but it was for the simple reason of peace, which is impossible when we’re hunted by Scars. Agreed, most of the CWOs are cruel and are ruined by greed, but a few of us remain who seek peace.”

“The compound wasn’t a haven, Roarke. It was hell,” I said, anger now overriding the anxiety. “You’re a Grit, if you didn’t like what my husband was doing, you could’ve stopped it.”

He sighed, lowering his head and staring at the ground. “Yes, perhaps I could’ve, but I would’ve never left you—never. Never risked your life. I care about you, Rayne.”

“You don’t even know me. Not really. That girl you knew was an empty shell of who I am. I’m not that person anymore.”

“I can see that.”

“Why, Roarke? Why, when you knew how much I hated Anton, did you continue to watch what he was doing? Did you know what he’d planned for Ryker and me?”

He cleared his throat. “Once our union failed, I knew he wanted to breed you with a Scar. He was obsessed with getting a child that was stronger than any of us. But it was her idea—the woman, Jasmine.” He continued, “The Scars he attacked, the ones he sent Ben and the others to capture, they weren’t supposed to be killed. I wasn’t there when they went after them because I was with Jasmine.” He hesitated. “She knew I cared for you. That was my mistake,” Roarke said. “If I didn’t do it…”

“What?” I asked. I knew it couldn’t be good, and by the way he was tense, his brows low and face strained, it was painful.

“She gave me reminders of what would happen to you if I didn’t do what she asked.”

“What do you mean?”

“Rayne, it’s not important what she did, just that she is dangerous and will hurt you.”

“What did she do, Roarke?”

“It doesn’t matter now.” I opened my mouth, but he scowled and I closed it again. “When the Scars escaped the compound she found out it was my fault. I let them escape.”

What? “But you weren’t even at the compound at the time. I was the one who helped Kilter find Ryker and took them to the roof.”

“When you disappeared for twelve hours, I came back to the compound to help search for you. I knew you were in the air vent with the Scar, Rayne. I wanted you to escape with him, so I kept everyone out of that wing as much as I could.”

God, he knew Kilter and I had been in the air vent.

“Jasmine has merged with the vampires.” Roarke glanced at me. “If vampires are after you, then she told Liam about you. You’re very valuable to the Scars.”

“Why?”

“Jasmine is a Lilac, Rayne.” I’d heard about Lilacs, of course, but never saw one, at least I thought I hadn’t. Obviously, I had if that woman was one. “She knew Anton before I did. She’s the one who brought me to the compound.” He leaned forward, rested his elbows on his knees, hands clasped between them. “I’ve been watching her. Saw her go into to Liam’s club over six months ago. Not much else has happened up until a few weeks ago. Then I saw her meet with him again. They’re planning something.” He raised his head and our eyes locked. “I saw Jasmine at the compound after the Scars blew it up. She said you belonged to her.”





“BACK AWAY, DAMIEN,” WALERON ordered.

I slowly rose. “Abbs, the water—f*ck—it spilled on your face. You changed it to blood.” I stared into her eyes, praying there was some semblance to the girl I’d grown to… No, I couldn’t love her. I didn’t. Christ, she’s a f*ckin’ vampire. “You know what that means, don’t you, baby?”

Her eyes gleamed an intense crimson—like all vampires who were starving—and black lines ran underneath them, but her young, flawless skin was as white as doves. She stared at me with her upper lip curled, revealing two long, white fangs. Her head tilted to the side and her black lashes flickered while watching me with fearlessness.

Abruptly, she leapt onto the heels of her feet, crouching low on the bed, as if ready to attack. Then a low hiss escaped her lips.

Could she distinguish who I was? Did she know what happened?

Her body tensed and vibrated as a bolt of energy shot into her and she flew back onto the bed.

“Waleron, no.”

“She’s a vampire now. Think about what you’re doing.” His rough tone stopped me from going to Abby. “She’s a new vampire in a frenzy for blood. Nothing is clear in her mind except what her body craves. Do not approach or you will be her first meal. We need her shackled.”

“Jesus, Waleron.” My entire body rebelled at harming the woman I’d grown to care for. How was I supposed to do this? What was Waleron going to do with her? Shit, what was I going to do?

He spoke to me telepathically, and I suspected it was in case Abby could decipher what we were saying. “Release your Ink. She cannot take blood from it. Have it shackle her and put the pillowcase over her head.”

“Fuck, no.”

“You will or I will have no choice but to kill her,” Waleron ordered.

I smashed my fist into the wall so hard my knuckles bled.