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Should I get pregnant again, I’ll have to figure out how to shield on my own I shake my head and check ht now, I can’t afford to be distracted I take one last breath and start walking toward the compound

I expect to be stopped There aren’t many sentries outside of the walls, but only a fool wouldn’t post at least a few people in the forest surrounding the compound Vampire senses only stretch so far, after all, and an early warning system can mean the difference between life and death in a confrontation My father is s, but a fool isn’t one of them

He must really see me as less than a threat It’s the only explanation why I’ates They’re large enough to drive a truck through…and they’re ajar

“Quite the welcoe rises to turn and flee If we meant to set a trap, my father certainly intends the same

I lift ate Inside, it’s exactly the saray Nearly indistinguishable from each other Rationally, I know a year hasn’t even passed, but it feels like several lifetimes since I last moved about in this place

Since no one appears to stop atehouse and a place for the wall guards to rest between patrols, especially when the weather is intense Both seem to be empty

I see the s to the heavens All three of et the faintest i as I step into the courtyard I turn my focus from them Now’s not the time to be distracted Not when I have my own part to play

I stretch out otiate”

This all hinges on hiht one of the ht the rest of our group It would ha the other two men because of their desire not to hurt the co because I am no match for any of them No, I have to make sure he comes to me instead

I turn a slow circle, arms still outstretched “I’ve coot your wish” I raise my voice “I carry a bloodline baby Will you honor your terms, or will you take the coward’s way out?”

I feel him before I see him He’s circled around behindthe front gates I turn slowly as he walks out fros For such a monstrous man,brown hair, vaguely attractive features that would be forgettable if not for the charisoes He weaponizes it now It presses againststronger with each step he takes in my direction

He snly “Come now, Mina You must know that you can never be heir My people will never follow you”

“Letic see, like each inhale gives hi his way into my brain “Will you keep your word?”

He shakes his head and tsks “How am I to even know you’re my child? You have no bloodline powers to speak of You look exactly like your mother Who’s to say she didn’t betray et you? None of my children are such a constant disappointment”

How can his words still sting after everything he’s done? I drop my arms “So you’ll break your word”

My father moves closer His expression relier as he lowers his voice “I don’t knohat ga at, you little bitch, but it won’t work Losing the three bloodline vampires was a temporary setback, and now you’ve returned thenant, then I’ll happily cut that baby out of you the moment it can survive on its own” His smile drops “You, of course, will not survive the process”

Over my dead body

I glare “You’rea mistake Name me as heir—”

“Kneel, slut” His power sla ed to find three of thes to fulfill my aims I suppose we’ll find which is the father once the child is born’’ He leans down a little, nant? Be honest”