CHAPTER SIXTY ONE~ About Beau.

Kieran’s POV The next morning is as awkward as it could get. I could not look Evans in the eye, knowing what we did right beside him.He must have noticed how weird I was but he decided against asking me questions.The map Caius and I were studying yesterday is still splayed across the floor. Evans’ light eyes dance over its surface. His gaze catches on the various marks made by Caius and me over the past few months. He looks far too interested in it, and I have a sliver of doubt that I may have trusted him too quickly.Evans rubs his hands together to create enough friction to spread heat through his fingertips. I haven’t seen this man in so long. And I’ll admit it. There have been many times I’ve imagined seeing him again. I even rehearsed all the words I’d say to him for the various scenarios my imagination drummed to life.Except this one.“Are you hungry?” I ask after a stretch of silence.Evans’ gaze flickers up to me. Every one of his features is saying yes, but he shakes hi

CHAPTER SIXTY TWO~ You Have My Permission To Step In.

Kieran’s POV Nightmares seep into my mind. Each scene acts like its own hand of darkness, spindly fingers curling around my thoughts and pushing them to a pit of quicksand. Since the war began, they’ve become a constant companion, holding me in their clutches until I find the courage to fight myself awake. My eyes pop open. My heart pounds against my chest like a wild bird against its metal cage. No hints of sunlight have broken through the darkness, and I force myself into a sitting position. Caius’ red gaze immediately meets mine from the other side of the tent. Instead of lying beside me while I sleep, he’s taken it upon himself to keep watch over Evans. My history professor’s light snores ricochet through the silence of the small tent. For some reason, the sound is soothing. My muscles relax enough for my shoulders to sag with relief. “Another nightmare, human?” Caius whispers. I nod. “Worst one I've had in a while.” The cadence of Evans’ snores become interrupted at

CHAPTER SIXTY THREE~ Holy shit… She's A Secondary.

Kieran’s POV I clutch the duffle bag to my chest as Caius races through the endless, frigid terrain. Cold wind slaps against my face, its fingernails of ice scraping against the soft flesh of my cheeks. Everything burns. I try to cover myself more with my jacket, but it just as quickly falls again. My eyes water when I try to spot Evans behind us. He’s barely keeping up with his electronic motorcycle. He must have done work on it before he started using it in the war, though. The bike that used to have a soft purr has now dissipated to silence. No wonder Caius never heard him approaching. I close my eyes and lean into Caius’ chest. This is the fastest we’ve ever traveled. Granted, he has a slightly smaller load since Evans offered to take the tent on the back of his bike, but to me it feels like we’re moving way too fast. The cool shadows of the evening give way to morning and eventually the soft hues of morning change into the deep, rich tones of the evening

CHAPTER SIXTY FOUR ~ And Who Might You Be… Pretty Minx?

Kieran’s POV The woman shifts her gaze to Evans. He slowly lowers the map before raising his hands in the same fashion as me. Her eyes spark with approval before she slowly moves her focus to Caius.“That applies to you too, vamp,” she snarls.I keep my eyes on her, but I can feel Caius stiffen beside me. He could easily attack this woman and take her down. No question. But there’s no way he can outrun a bullet. If she shoots me, he won’t be able to do anything to stop it. And if he steps in front of me, that’ll make me even more of a target.I may not be able to hear Caius’ thoughts, but I’ve been with him long enough to start to understand his line of thinking.“Don’t test me,” she growls. “These bullets will kill the humans on impact. But they’re made of something potent enough to kill you, too.”Poison.The bullets are made of poison. I start trembling with fear. Realistically I know Caius will be fine. He says my blood is strong enough to protect him. But what if there’s a

CHAPTER SIXTY FIVE~ I'll Do Anything For You.

Kieran’s POV Her words sound muffled, muted even against the blood rushing against my ears. I try to respond but my speech sounds garbled. Or maybe that’s just the noise it’s making in my brain, because I don’t think I actually manage to make a sound. “Inside that duffle bag, there is a picture,” Caius answers. “It is tucked beneath two sweaters. We believe it’s a member of my family. A fellow Secondary.” Bonnie tilts her chin up in defiance. “And who might this family member be?” “According to the picture, it's Archer Robbins.” “According to the picture?” she questions and narrows her eyes. “His name is written on the back. I lost my memory when I turned,” Caius responds in a clipped tone. “I obviously can’t be sure if the name is an accurate reflection of the person.” Caius is never afraid, and in moments like this, it becomes apparent. Sometimes I envy him for not feeling emotion. Bonnie’s gaze slides over to the duffle bag. She jerks the end of her gun to the side and

CHAPTER SIXTY SIX~ The Secondary Colony.

Kieran’s POV The next few minutes are unadulterated chaos. Caius manages to keep Bonnie from escaping, but with Evans’ quickly deteriorating state, we end up needing her help.He’s unconscious and rapidly losing blood. Even his pulse is slowing. Caius’ red eyes sear me as I suggest letting her go.“She’ll kill you, human,” he mutters. “Letting her go is out of the question.”“We need her help!”Bonnie stares defiantly.ahead. Even though she’s a Secondary, she has the same sense of pride as vampires. She’s not angry that she’s being held captive. She’s angry she slipped up enough to get in that predicament in the first place.Caius shakes his head. “Enough.”Evans is curled into a small heap beside me. I've switched out the clothing in front of his stomach, twice. His paleness takes on a sickly hue, and I know he doesn’t have much longer. Caius has made it clear time and time again that he doesn’t care whether Evans lives or dies, but I do.And I know if the roles were reversed, h