Lorn nodded once, and Kira fixed her attention on Brista. “Our new clan leader doesn’t want to hit women, but I have no qualms about beating your ass. Veso trained me well. I’m still learning how to shift but I’ll do it in skin, minus claws. You claim you’re always looking out for the clan kids but we both know that’s a lie. Why don’t you tell them how badly you treat kids you view as weak VampLycans?”

Kira glanced at the faces of the parents. “You all have young ones. What if they show Vampire traits when they go through puberty, or if Brista considers them weaker than she thinks they should be? Would you like me to tell you how shitty I was treated? She’ll allow other kids to attack them—just like she let them attack me.”

“Because you’re weak!” Brista growled.

“Not anymore. A clan caregiver is supposed to be kind and encouraging to kids. Did you ever try to help me enhance any traits I might have been born with? That would be hell no. You let the other kids torment and beat me. You flat-out encouraged them to be cruel. You’re a fucking bully and you get off on targeting weaker kids it’s your duty to protect! Like Elsa. Have you even gone to see her? Talked to her? I doubt it. You’re just looking for an excuse to kill. You’re pathetic and make me sick.”

She looked at every parent in the group. “Your kids could be next. Think about that. They aren’t grown yet. They could inherit traits and be deemed not worthy of living once they hit puberty. Are you actually going to back the bitch who’s itching to kill them? Or the honorable man who’s trying to do whatever he can to keep them alive? Drinking Lorn’s blood has saved me. What if Elsa was your daughter? Think long and hard about that, folks. Do you want your kid murdered—or at least given a chance to change, the way I have? I was almost full Vampire. Not any longer.”

Slowly, most of the parents moved away from the caregiver. Only two remained near her.

Brista turned her head to glower at the ones who’d distanced themselves. “Cowards. You know must what be done!”

“You need your ass kicked,” Kira stated. “You’re a bloodthirsty bitch with a hard-on for helpless kids. It’s sad that Decker put you in charge of the youths, but then again, he was a total bloodthirsty bastard.”

Brista snarled, whipped her head in Kira’s direction, and lunged.

She dodged when Brista unleashed her claws and tried to take a swipe at her face.

Kira grabbed the front of her shirt with one hand and caught Brista by her wrist. Rage and years of resentment from her childhood rose. She squeezed and felt bone snap in her grasp, and Brista screamed from the pain. Kira threw her as if she weighed nothing. Brista hit the ground on her back and got up quickly, cradling her arm.

“I’m going to kill you! I wanted to when you were a child. You were weak and a disgrace. Decker is an amazing leader! His only mistake was allowing you to live. You were a blight on this clan!” Brista spit on the ground. “Your father is disgusting for mating a human and breeding.”

Davis snarled. Kira ignored her dad. “Stay back. This bitch is mine.” It was directed at Lorn too. She only hoped he would listen. “It’s my right to fight. I’m a VampLycan and she just threatened my life. You dare insult my mother, Brista? She was ten times the woman you could ever be.”

Kira’s fingers tingled and she glanced down, watching as something grew out of the nail beds. It hurt a little but the shock of seeing them actually kept her from wincing. They looked sharp, extended about an inch, and they were beautiful.

Oh my God. I have claws! I grew claws!!

Brista snarled and stepped closer. Kira got over her surprise. She’d been bluffing earlier about being able to shift at all, never really expecting to gain that ability.

Instead of making fists, she kept her hands open and avoided Brista’s one good arm when she tried to make another swipe at her face and eyes. Kira drove her fingers straight into Brista’s side, her new claws tearing through the material and into skin.

Brista screamed again. Kira threw her to the ground again and jumped back.

Brista rolled into a ball, grabbing at her bleeding ribs, loud sobs coming from her. Kira lunged, wanted to keep tearing into her, but someone grabbed her around the waist and lifted her right off her feet.

“Enough,” Lorn rasped.

She didn’t fight his hold as he retreated a few steps. Instead, she looked at her hands. The claws remained, a piece of Brista’s shirt caught on one of them, the tips red with blood. The smell of it had her fangs extending, and the urge to lick her fingers surfaced.

She fought it down since everyone seemed to be watching her. It would blow the whole big “not a Vampire anymore” proclamation she’d just made.

“Get Brista the hell out of here,” Lorn demanded of Dobis. “No one dies tonight—or tomorrow. You go near Perri’s children and it will be punishable by death. Do you understand me? This is not a democracy. If you’d like to challenge me for leadership, do it now.” He eased Kira down to her feet and gave her a light push toward Davis.

Kira watched as Lorn extended his claws and hair grew on his face, arms, and the backs of his hands. He looked terrifying and pissed. Her gaze flew to the men and women who’d come with Brista. Gazes dropped and they lowered their heads. No one stepped forward.

“That’s what I thought. Don’t ever assemble again, believing you can threaten me to force an issue. Next time I’ll just kill you. You want to discuss something? Make an appointment and we’ll sit down calmly to talk. That’s far more than Decker ever offered. Now go home—and Brista?”

The woman on the ground quieted but refused to look at Lorn.

“Count yourself lucky to be alive. Ever try this again and I won’t pull Kira away. I’ll allow her to finish you off. She’s going to be my mate—and she hates your ass. I only stopped her because you have friends and a few of the children actually like you. Don’t press your fucking luck. If I even suspect you’re thinking about harming any child, I’ll take you out myself. Get the fuck out of here and go home.”

No one said a word. Dobis pulled Brista to her feet and helped her walk away. She leaned heavily on him. The other families went with them.

Kira braved peeking at Lorn. He still appeared furious but some of the hair had receded and his claws retracted. Shit. He’s going to be pissed at me. She swallowed hard.