Chapter 11

The shifters thrived on power and control, and I was a pawn in their game—an expendable asset they would use and discard without a second thought. It was clear that any attempts at negotiation would be futile, and I wouldn’t fall into that trap. I had no choice but to brace myself for conflict, to accept that I would need to make an enemy out of the very beings who had taken me captive.

But there was a silver lining to this grim scenario. Jason had risked everything to venture into the heart of enemy territory for me, and I would honour that sacrifice. I owed him that much. In a world where loyalty was a rare commodity, I was grateful to have someone willing to fight alongside me, even if it was a vampire I had initially considered my adversary.

With Patrick, Diane, and Paris absent, there was no issue of divided loyalty weighing on my conscience. They were my friends, my allies, and I knew they would have my back if they were here, but they weren’t. It was just Jason and me now, and