"Or you'll what?" she interrupted, her laughter sending a shiver down my spine. "You'll use your powers on me? I'd like to see you try."
If she knew this much about me, then we both knew I couldn't control my powers enough to threaten her. It was an idle threat, which did me no good.
"Zandia," I ground out, my voice strained as I fought back my frustration. My getting angry wasn't good for anyone. "Just tell me what you want from me."
"See, that's the thing," she said, circling me like a predator sizing up its prey. "I don't think you've realized just how important you are in all of this. You're not just some half-human, half-demon hybrid. You're the key to everything."
A chill ran down my spine as her words sank in, the implications both terrifying and exhilarating. Did she know something about my powers that I didn't? And if so, what did she want from me?
"Tell me, Parker," Zandia whispered, her breath hot against my ear as she leaned in close, her voice a seductive purr. "Are you ready to find out just how deep your power goes?"
"Is that what you're offering?" I questioned cautiously, not daring to hope. "A way to control my powers?"
"Perhaps," she replied cryptically. "But first, you must prove yourself worthy. Are you willing to take that risk, Parker? To delve into the darkness within you and claim the power that is rightfully yours?"
CHAPTER 4
YOU REALLY DON'T KNOW WHEN TO SHUT UP, DO YOU?
"Bring it on, Zandia," I snarled through clenched teeth, even though I knew my next words were lies. "I'm ready for whatever you want to throw at me."
Zandia's laughter echoed through the dark room, sending shivers down my spine. "Oh, Parker," she purred, her voice dripping with condescension. "You don't even know what you're asking for. You're bluffing."
"Am not," I shot back, refusing to let her intimidate me. As a half-human, half-demon hybrid, I should have been able to handle anything she threw at me. It was just too bad that my demonic powers had a nasty habit of flaring up at the worst possible moments or leaving me high and dry when I needed them most.
"Prove it."
"Is that all you got? A vague observation and a dare?" I snapped at Zandia, feeling the familiar heat of my demonic powers surging just beneath the surface. Fuck this lady. I couldn't control it, not really, but it was a part of me now. I was learning to live with it. "Bring it on, bitch. I can take whatever you want to throw at me."
She laughed, her hazel eyes dancing with malice, the sound setting every nerve on edge. "Oh, really?" She purred, her voice dripping with amusement. "So you're not afraid of a little challenge?"
"Afraid?" I scoffed, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'm not the one hiding behind empty threats."
Her expression darkened, and in a blink, she was in my face, her fingers tightening around my throat. I gasped, my breath cut off, but I didn't allow her the satisfaction of showing it. I would not show fear. No, I refused to give her that victory.
"I'm going to enjoy this," she hissed, her breath hot on my face. Her grip didn't change, but I felt something else squeezing the air from my lungs. I was dimly aware that it wasn't her hand crushing me. A few seconds passed before I realized it was her power. Instead of cowering or begging, I glared at her defiantly.
"Go ahead," I rasped, my voice struggling against her hold. "Do your worst."
She cocked her head as if considering her options. Then she smirked, her teeth elongating into fangs right in front of my eyes. "You really don't know when to shut up, do you?"
Before I could react, her lips were on my neck, teeth sinking into my flesh where her hand had been. Pain exploded through me. What the fuck?
"Just a taste," she purred, pulling away even as her grip returned to my throat. "I didn't feel like denying myself this time."
Warmth spread across my collarbone, and I touched it gingerly. When I pulled away my hand, it was covered in blood. She had bitten me.
"Bloodsucking scum," I spat.
This time, when she smiled, I saw my blood on her fangs. "Oh, Parker, you have no idea."
Zandia's eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint reflecting in their depths as she stared at me down. "I am an original shifter," she whispered, her voice laced with menace. "And an original vampire."
The revelation hit me like a ton of bricks. My heart stuttered in my chest, and I tried to swallow the fear that threatened to choke me. I didn't fully know what that meant, but it sounded bad to me. When I was reunited with my mates, I'd have to ask them what that meant. And read through my mother's journal.
"You can't seriously expect me to... work for you after this." I said, my voice trembling with revulsion. She had violated me… stolen my blood.
She laughed, and it sent chills down my spine. "Oh, trust me, you will. Very few creatures are more powerful than me," she continued, her grip on my throat never wavering. "If I wanted to, I could wipe you and your mates off the planet with a snap of my fingers."
