CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

A side from Sage’s commitment to denying as much as she could about their conversation, Ari was impressed with how she was handling it. Now, though, her reality was about to shatter completely. And this was just the beginning of what could be a very long journey into a whole new world, life and existence for her.

Ari understood as he’d had it happen to him many, many years ago.

“Sage, no vampire would volunteer to be experimented on. From birth, or... well, yeah, from an early age, we teach vampires to remain hidden from humans. We’ve always known what would happen if we were discovered.”

Her eyes dipped away from his and he saw the shame.

“We need to talk about this, Sage. It is vitally important. I wish to fuck you weren’t involved with this, but you are.”

Sage shook her head.

Fuck.

“I am not allowed to talk about it, my contract—”

Ari’s body tensed up like a nuclear bomb about to explode. Was this the moment she chose science? Would she choose information over the life of a living creature he’d just told her was being experimented on?

Of course, she would.

His heart began to splinter.

It was what scientists did every day. A rat, a mouse, any number of living beings. To them, a vampire was an unknown they would need to study.

Bile rose within him, but he’d always known this would be a possibility. Sage was a scientist. Sure, not all of them lacked ethics, but he’d hoped Sage was one of the good ones.

“Fuck your contract, Sage. I will protect you legally.” He removed a major block for her.

Her eyes darted to his. “Oh, and how will I pay for that? And my mortgage? Tony is moving out and now you want me to lose my job. I can’t risk talking to you about this top-secret information.” She stood up. “Ari, I can’t. You need to leave.”

Ari shook his head as disappointment flowed through him.

It was like she wasn’t hearing him.

It was time to be completely up-front about the stakes here. Then the rest was up to her. Ari had to accept, whether she was his mate or not, that the decision was up to her. If she chose to be part of the BioZen team and continue on, she was his enemy.

Ari parked his emotions and let out a sigh.

“Let me be straight with you, Sage Roberts,” Ari said firmly. “The vampire BioZen has been experimenting on for months is named Callan. He has a family, and it’s likely he has been in tremendous pain and suffering this entire time. He may not even be alive, but if he is, my team and I will be retrieving him.”

Sage stared at him; her lips pressed together.

“You could assist us, or not. The choice is yours.”

Her brows creased. “The men at your gym?”

Ari held her eyes for a moment, then decided it wouldn’t make any difference to tell her the truth.

“I don’t own a gym. I own a private security company with the most powerful warriors on earth. We work for wealthy and influential people, including humans and governments, all around the world,” Ari said. “I can protect you. Or I can do this without you.”

Sage’s eyes darted around the room.

“I understand your fear. The industry you work in is powerful.”

She shook her head and covered her face. He didn’t know if she was crying, but it took everything in him not to go to her.

“Sage, fuck . Talk to me for God’s sake.”

“What can I say?” she said, flopping back down on the sofa and leaning her arms on her knees. She stared down at the floor. Ari used his foot to move the coffee table out of the way and crouched in front of her, leaving a little space.

She glanced at him. “So you’re going to use your vampire power in front of me all the time now?”

His mouth opened, then shut. “Yes. It’s who I am.” He was pissed that she would even ask that. “If you choose to remain part of the experimental team, it won’t be an issue because you will never see me again.”

You won’t live long in any case.

Not if she was his enemy. An enemy of the vampire race.

Crack.

Another part of his heart fell away.

Sage’s mouth fell open. “You’re asking me to leave my job? We only met a few days ago and have fucked a handful of times. I think that’s a little demanding.”

Fury was building within him as Sage focused on stupid human details. He realized she didn’t have the same context as him, and yet Ari was struggling to curtail his anger.

He didn’t want to scare her and knew this conversation was coming to an end.

“I’m asking you to walk away from an evil environment hurting innocents,” Ari said. “If you do, I will take care of you in every way. I give you my word. Forget about our sexual relationship, this is about something much—”

“More important?” Sage asked, raising an eyebrow. “Thanks for the clarity.”

“That’s not what—”

Sage’s phone rang, and they both stared at each other.

Jesus.

“It’s Mom,” she said. “I have to answer as it’s late and she’ll freak if I don’t.”

“Answer it. On speaker,” Ari said. “And stay in here.”

He had to be sure Sage didn’t tell anyone anything. Though his team was monitoring her, he’d asked them to turn it off while he was with her.

“Hey Mom,” Sage said. “It’s super late. Is everything okay?”

“It’s only nine, Sage,” her mother replied. “I’m ringing to see how work was today.”

Ari watched Sage rub her forehead.

“Fine. Why?” Sage replied.

“Well... did you?” Her mother didn’t finish her question and Ari frowned at Sage. Then her eyes widened.

“Oh. Yes. I got the promotion,” she replied quickly. “Hey, can I call you back tomorrow? It’s been a long day and I want to get to sleep.”

“Congratulations darling. Listen, tomorrow we will celebrate. I have a bottle on ice, and your sister can come over. Your father is going to be so proud.”

Ari felt a pang of regret for her. From today her life would never be the same. Her family might irritate her, but if she were his mate, she wouldn’t have them in her life for much longer. Maybe for a few years, but as they aged, and she didn’t, it would raise questions.

This was all assuming she was his mate and chose the right side.

If it turned out Sage was, he would turn her. She wouldn’t understand now, but as an original vampire, her existence was miraculous, and he wasn’t going to fuck around convincing her.

He’d change her and then ask her forgiveness.

If she contributed to the experiments on Callan or any of his vampires, she was an enemy, and that was something Ari would never be able to face. Thank fuck Brayden was in Seattle. If there was anyone he trusted to end her life, it would be the prince.

His hope was wavering. Sage hadn’t acted as shocked and revolted by the possibility of live experimentation as he’d hoped she would.

She glanced at him. “Tomorrow night? Actually Mom, I have a date.”

They did? Oh, the guy. Yeah, no, that wasn’t fucking happening. He’d told her to cancel it. Ari raised a brow at her. I don’t fucking think so . Sage looked away.

“Oh,” her mother said.

“Hang up, sweetheart,” Ari commanded her, a sliver of anger lacing his words.

“Mom, I have to go,” Sage said, her eyes on him. “I’ll swing by on the weekend, okay? I love you.”

Ari stood.

“Oh, darling. That’s so nice to hear. I love you too.” Her mom gushed and when the conversation ended, Sage curled herself back in the corner of the sofa.

He let out a long sigh and stared at her.

“There is so much more to share with you, but for now, I think it’s best I leave you to your thoughts and conscience,” Ari said, frowning. “If you find yourself unhappy with what you see, text me. If you have any photos or information you can share with us, that will be helpful.”

Sage simply nodded.

Ari took in the small human and clenched his fists, fighting the desire to teleport her back to his mansion and simply turn her.

He had to give her a chance. One small and very fucking important chance.

“Remember what I said, Sage. We will retrieve Callan and destroy BioZen’s operation. If you choose to stay and be part of these experiments, I cannot protect you.”

Her mouth fell open. “Are you threatening me?”

“No,” Ari replied, his eyelids closing briefly, then he looked directly at her. “This is me, protecting my race while I tear my heart apart.”

Then he teleported away.