26. Kali

"Let me help."

The tray of drinks was suddenly yanked from my hands, and I whirled around, coming face to face with a vampire. Walker was his name, if I remembered correctly. His leering smirk had my neck prickling, and I straightened my spine, shooting him a glare. He was the same vampire who'd stopped me in the street on the night Amaros was here. Gia had scared him off then, but I glanced over my shoulder to see her acting oblivious behind the bar.

Even though I'd applied the lotion after my shower, the hunger in his eyes had me almost second-guessing that I'd covered myself. But I had a feeling he wasn't staring at me because he smelled my blood. It was a different kind of hunger. One just as dangerous as blood lust. He wanted me. Maybe just for sex. Or as a way to challenge Zan. Either way, he was a monster I didn't want to be near.

"Have you forgotten where you are?" I asked, my voice hard. "Back off before you regret it."

He didn't heed my warning, taking a step closer to pin me between him and the bar. His eyes drifted over my shoulder, and I was sure he was looking at Gia. I didn't dare look, not wanting to turn my back on him.

"If Zan wants you, he should keep you away from all of us," he murmured, his attention landing back on me. "How old are you?"

I wasn't sure if he was asking my real age or how long since I'd turned into a vampire, since that's what he thought I was. I had no intention of telling him anything. Keeping my frigid glare on him, I stepped to the side, only for him to follow me. With Gia at my back and Zan somewhere around here, I wasn't exactly scared, but I couldn't deny my unease.

My instincts almost had me grabbing for my stake in my boot, even though I knew I could only use that as a last resort. I didn't need the vampires here questioning me about being human. That would put an even larger target on my back.

"Move," I ordered sharply.

His eyes flashed with challenge, and he did the exact opposite. He stepped forward, pushing me back until my spine hit the bar. Resting his hands on the counter on either side of me, he leaned in until his hot breath hit my face when he caged me in. My palms slapped against his chest, but my shove was useless against his strength. Something that seemed to amuse him.

"You don't seem all that special to me," he mocked, keeping his hands on the counter to make sure I couldn't slip away. "Newbies are no fun. Just as boring as humans. So why does Zan Kane have an interest in you? Or are you just his personal little slut? Why don't you show me why he keeps you around? I can take your mouth first. Then your pussy."

I caught a flash of movement to the left of us, and a second later, there was a loud thud before Walker let out an agonizing yell. He jerked back, but for some reason, he kept his left hand on the counter. I glanced down, my stomach roiling when I realized why he wasn't moving any farther.

Buried in the middle of his hand was a blade, and it looked like it was deep enough that it was stabbed into the wooden bar. Blood oozed from the wound, and Walker groaned in pain as he grabbed my arm with his free hand and yanked me away from him so he could reach the hilt of the knife. I slammed into a hard body, and when an arm wrapped around my waist, I knew who it was.

"Stay right there," Zan ordered from behind me. "Don't even think about pulling it out."

The danger radiating in his voice sent a chill through me. Walker whipped his head up, his fingers still wrapped around the knife. He looked over my shoulder, fear sliding into his gaze. After a moment, he lifted his chin in challenge, but he still didn't pull the blade from his hand. Even though the music was still blaring, I could tell everyone's attention was on us. There was no yelling near the pool table or loud conversations like usual. I peeked around, my face getting hot when I saw all eyes on us. Viggo and Pax were standing in the back near the hall, looking content to just watch.

"Zan," Walker sputtered out, his voice thick with pain. "I?—"

"Not a fucking word," Zan cut him off.

Walker pressed his lips together, his face scrunching in anger. But he still didn't move. His fear of Zan was outweighing everything else right now. I swallowed my cry when Zan's arm dropped from my waist, and he grabbed my arm, tugging me away. We rounded the bar, and he halted once we were right across from Walker. I didn't even get a chance to look at Zan before he placed me in front of him, pushing my stomach against the bar. The music was turned down to almost nothing, and I could hear Walker's heaving breaths.

My mind was racing with questions, but I stayed silent. Zan situated himself behind me until his body was flush with mine. His fingers dug into my hip, as if he was proving to everyone that I was his to touch. Only his.

I didn't want to be seen as his. Like a possession. But with all eyes on us, it wasn't the time to protest or argue. Not when these vampires looked at Zan like a leader. They might fear him, but most respected him too. Fighting with him on this wouldn't end well.

"Put your other hand on the bar," Zan demanded, his breath skimming my hair.

"Zan," Walker tried again, his voice shaking slightly. "I'm sorry."

"Put your hand on the fucking bar."

I couldn't see Zan's face since my back was to him, but if his voice was anything to go by, I could only imagine the look he was giving Walker. He sounded every inch of the ruthless, terrifying vampire I knew he could be. Who he was.

"I didn't do anything," Walker sneered, his voice lacking vigor even though he was trying to sound confident. "I was just talking to her. I do my job here just like everyone else. I'm allowed to have some fun."

Zan let out a dark chuckle. Then he moved. His hand disappeared under the bar for a split second, and then he was beside me and reaching over the counter. He snatched Walker's free hand and yanked it closer before slamming it onto the glossy wood. Walker had to stay slightly hunched from how far Zan pulled his hand.

A gasp escaped me when Zan slammed another jagged blade into Walker's other hand. His scream tore through the air, pain etched on his face. He shifted, his stance awkward as he stayed leaned over the bar counter. I was sure with his vampire strength, he could probably pull his hands free. But I couldn't imagine how badly that would hurt. My gaze went past Walker when I noticed a few vampires were inching toward the exit.

"No need to leave," Zan said loudly, capturing everyone's attention. "Walker here is going to tell us why he thought he could have fun with my girl."

He pushed on the hilt, shoving the blade down even more, making Walker grimace. Nerves swirled in my stomach as I worked hard to keep my face expressionless and my heartbeat calm.

"I didn't mean any disrespect," Walker panted, his eyes darting to his bloodied hands before glancing at me.

"No?" Zan asked, resting his hands on the counter. "Then why do I feel disrespected?"

Walker opened his mouth only to close it again, fear building on his face. Zan looked up, addressing everyone.

"We give you all a good life," he said loudly. "Blood. Drinks. Fun. All we ask in return is to do the job assigned to make sure humans don't get the upper hand. Does anyone in here feel like we're unfair?"

There was only silence in response. No one even moved.

"My brothers and I have never made unfair requests," Zan continued, his eyes filling with distaste as he looked back at Walker. "Kali is the one soul in this city that I've asked everyone not to touch. That necklace means she's mine. Does that seem like an unfair request to you, Walker?"

"No," Walker stammered out. "I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

Zan didn't reply as he pushed off the bar and then slowly walked away from me. He didn't motion for me to follow, so I stayed right where I was in front of Walker, who was tracking Zan's every move with panic growing on his features. Until Zan moved out of his sight when he stepped up behind him.

"I don't accept your apology," Zan murmured in a lethal voice. He suddenly fisted Walker's hair, ripping his head back with such force that Walker's entire body was yanked back. He let out a hoarse scream when his hands were jerked against the blades. New blood trailed down his skin, dripping onto the bar.

"I'm sorry," Walker shouted, terror thick in his voice. "I won't touch her again."

"Don't apologize to me." Zan kept a tight grip in his hair while forcing his head down a bit until Walker was staring right at me. "It's her that you should be pleading with. She's the one you touched when she didn't want it. Go ahead, beg for your life. Because it's in her hands."

"Her?" Walker choked out, his eyes bulging in shock. "She's nobody?—"

Zan slammed Walker's face onto the counter, making him bellow in pain. I internally flinched, hearing bones crunch, and when Zan forced Walker's head back up, blood poured from his shattered nose.

Zan tsked, his voice taunting. "It doesn't sound like you're really sorry."

"I am," he shrieked, glancing at me. "I'm fucking sorry. I won't ever talk to you again. I won't even look at you."

For the first time since he appeared, Zan's gaze finally locked on mine. His green eyes were dark with anger, but I caught a gleam of mischief as he gave me a wicked grin.

"Do you accept his apology, Kali?"

My stomach bottomed out as I held his stare. Either way I answered, I doubted Walker was going to survive this. So why did it matter what I thought? Until I noticed a shift in the energy surrounding the club. The vampires weren't just looking at Zan. They were focused on me. Looking at me with a trace of fear in their eyes. Zan was proving that I wasn't just someone he was fucking.

He was demanding respect for me.

And if I showed weakness in this moment, they would see me as nothing. Letting my eyes go cold, I lifted my chin.

"No," I answered in a deadly voice. "I don't accept his apology."

Walker's face morphed into terror. "Wait, wait?—"

Zan let go of Walker's hair and then wrapped his hand around his throat before yanking him back. Walker choked out tortured breaths as Zan ripped him away from the bar hard enough that the blades tore through his bone and flesh as he was forced backward. He howled in excruciating pain, staring down at his mangled hands for a split second before Zan spun him around and shoved him against the edge of the bar.

"I want her to receive the same respect you give me," Zan growled. "That shouldn't be a hard thing to understand. I hope everyone else in here can learn from your mistake."

His threat wasn't lost on anyone, and a couple of vampires shifted uneasily as they watched. Viggo was smoking, seeming amused by the entire situation. Pax was focused on me. His intense stare had me almost squirming. He was looking at me like he didn't know who I was and was trying to figure it out.

"I'm going to need someone to take Walker's job," Zan said. "Any volunteers?"

"I can do it," Walker cried. "I swear, I won't fuck up again."

"I'll do it," one female vampire spoke up. "He was never on time anyway. I'm sure the others will be happy he's gone."

I watched in shock as other vampires murmured in agreement. This was their way to prove to Zan that they supported him. I wasn't sure if it was out of fear or respect, but either way, it was what Zan wanted.

"Give me one more chance," Walker pleaded, his voice trembling.

"I did," Zan replied simply. "This was your second chance. I should have done this the first time you spoke to her."

With those words, Zan shoved his fist straight into Walker's chest. Walker choked out a gurgled string of words, his body going rigid from pain. Until Zan pulled his hand out, and in his grip was a bloodied heart. Walker slumped against the counter, his lifeless body only being held up by Zan.

My mouth went dry, a tingle of fear jolting through me. The emotion wasn't from seeing Zan act like a monster. It was because, even after witnessing this, I still wasn't scared of Zan. Still didn't hate him. Because in my mind, I believed he would never do that to me. He'd done all of this for me. That thought terrified me the most. How could I have feelings for him? I didn't fucking know.

Zan let go of the heart, and it landed on the floor with a sickening plop. Walker's body dropped when Zan stepped away. I nearly jumped when someone brushed my shoulder, and I turned to see Gia standing next to me. She handed me a shot glass full of a brown liquid.

"You need this," she stated with her cheery smile. "Calms the nerves."

Without asking her what it was, I downed the drink. The alcohol burned my throat and then warmed my chest. Zan snagged a rag from the counter before wiping the blood that was coating his hand. The music was turned back up, and the vampires slowly went back to partying as if none of this had happened. Two of them approached the bar and carried Walker's body away.

"Come on," he said gruffly. "We need to pack."

"For what?"

"We're going somewhere."

"Where?"

He didn't answer, making my pulse thud. Other than the beach, we never left the city. So where the hell was he taking me?