A text instantly replies to Malcolm, likely mirroring Kasen's thoughts, and he hastily responds with a broad smile. "Because nature will always find a way to correct imbalances sooner or later, the same way we came to be, filling the void that the loss of predators left behind. And as soon as Archer perfects a way to locate and eliminate sires with as few casualties as possible, this generation will be the last to deal with feral vampires.”
“Vampires that have been turning humans into predators and culling numbers to combat overpopulation.” I shake my head with a shocked laugh. “It may be an unintended side effect since they’ll kill indiscriminately with only the goal of keeping their sire fed, but they focus on humans first and foremost.” My thoughts drift back to what I realized on the beach with Kasen. “I thought it was because they were easier prey, but honestly, shifters are terrified of us for a reason, so it’s got to be instinct driving us, just like shifters wrestle with.”
Clucking my tongue, I add, “Humans used to be at the top of the food chain, but evolution has a twisted sense of poetic justice, turning them into their own worst nightmare. They want to be the most dangerous thing? Fine.” I grimace. “Ultimate case of ‘be careful what you wish for’, I suppose.”
Malcolm’s fingers are a flurry of movement. “Once the sires have all been exterminated, and without anyone else being turned, everything will level out. Any offspring would be either human or possibly shifter, depending on the other parent.”
His entire face is lit up with such hope and joy that I hate to burst his bubble, but I have to point out, "I was turned by being drained and refilled by infected blood." At his blinking, I press, "So any babies in a female vamp womb would be grown being fed her infected blood."
He simply shrugs like that's nothing to be concerned about. "It's not the vampire part that's ever been the problem, it's the sire aspect. If a changed vampire turning a human doesn't make them their sire, simply tapping them into the original's telepathic link, I hardly imagine natural borns would be born mindless drones to their parent's whims."
Beckett chimes in, "So the sire mind control thing is just a corrupted version of a shifter's pack link."
"Pretty much," Malcolm confirms, sending a final message and tucking his phone away.
Beckett whistles low before turning to me. "Well, no need to worry gorgeous, I promise the only things I'll whisper in your head are sweet praises and filthy ideas."
"What are you talking about?"
The man in question meets my confused look with one of his own. "When we create a pack link."
Kasen stiffens behind me, "Be-" but I interrupt, heart suddenly racing.
"I thought that was a shifter thing."
Beckett purses his lips. "I mean, yeah, we have one growing up until we leave the nest and break the connection to form our own pack. So Kase and I can create one easily enough, but you won't be tapped into it until we claim you." Ignoring my wide eyes, almost like an afterthought, he looks at Malcolm. "We're all connected through her, so it'll be a two for one deal. After Kase and I stabilize the connection with her, you'll get dragged in like a bonus prize, no chomping necessary."
"Becks," Kasen growls, wrapping an arm across my collar like he knows I'm about to bolt. "Shut the hell up. You're freaking her out."
As if he only now noticed my thundering heartbeat, Beck's eyes widen and his gaze bounces between the two men currently glaring at him. "I thought I was supposed to answer her questions honestly! We saw how horribly secrets go; what was I supposed to do, lie to her? I didn't realize it was a big deal!"
Slipping out of Kasen's hold, I stand up on the couch, leaping over the back. "Not just no, buthell no! I don't care how much I might like you guys, stay out of my head. Hard fucking pass."
Chapter 18
Beckett
