“That’s true about my father but I wasn’t a part of his team.”

“Don’t you feel you owe it to your father’s memory to prove he didn’t waste his life looking for the proof he sought?”

“It got him killed.” Jadee tried not to take offense. Kira said she was trying to put herself in her shoes, so she did the same. “Let me tell you a little about my childhood. I spent three weeks in Scotland while my father and his friends were hunting for the Loch Ness monster. I get sick on boats, and guess what we did every day and night? Yeah. Out on a boat, looking for a sighting. It was miserable.

“Then I was stuck for two weeks in some Brazilian jungle because someone reported cat-shifter people. The only thing we caught was some mysterious fever from infected bug bites and days of puking, with the worst case of the runs to go along with it. We were lucky it wasn’t some deadly disease.

“Don’t even get me started on the time I nearly froze to death on some mountain over a snow beast rumor. That’s how I spent Christmas one year. Forget about Santa bringing me a new doll. I was praying I wouldn’t be buried alive under an avalanche. Four people died in a camp less than a mile from us on day two, after part of a snow bank came down on them. I was six, Kira. I had no business being there.”

Sympathy softened Kira’s features. “It sounds rough.”

“I was fed up with that life by the time I hit my teens and begged my dad to let me live with my grandma. He fought me at first, but finally gave in. I didn’t care about whatever my dad was hunting. I just wanted a stable home, a normal life, and to not be a part of that. Kids didn’t think it was cool that I’d traveled all over the world. They teased and tormented me when they found out what my father did for a living and why he wasn’t around. My grandma raised me during my teens.

“Those creatures and things he was looking for? I grew to resent them—because they were more important to him than I could ever be. He missed my high school graduation to go to England. He blew me off for a fucking ghost. He justified missing that important event in my life because he got some grainy video footage that he thought might actually prove his life had meaning. I’m glad his did in the end…but I suffered for it.”

Kira took Jadee’s hand and squeezed. “You’re breaking my heart.”

“I don’t mean to. I’m mostly over it because you can’t change the past. You can only learn from it. The point is, you never have to worry about me being anything like my father. His obsession got him killed and caused me a lot of emotional pain. I just want to enjoy life and never be in the spotlight. Clear enough?”

“Yes.”

Jadee studied Kira closely. “I’d never do anything to hurt Lavos, and I understand that it would put a target on my back too. I give you my word, for what it’s worth to you, that I will never tell another person about what I’ve learned.”

“That’s good enough for me.” She let Jadee go. “I will admit, I’m so glad Lavos found you. We’re family. I’d always hated being an only child. I’m hoping we become as close as real sisters.”

“That would be great.”

“It would.” Kira grinned. “So, back to VampLycan 101. What do you want to know? You can ask me anything.”

She thought about it. “Will it bother Lavos that I can’t shift?”

“It doesn’t bother Lorn that I can’t. It’s not an important factor. I wouldn’t worry about it. Very few couples shift to have sex in the other form. I’ve come across it while I was patrolling.” She grimaced. “So not sexy. Do you think Lavos is hot shifted? I love Lorn but it doesn’t do it for me.”

“Lavos looks terrifying.”

“Exactly. The women look like that too. I honestly can’t tell the sexes apart unless I’m familiar enough with them to identify their eyes or markings while they’re shifted. They get a little furry between the legs, so it’s not like you can spot girl or boy parts with ease unless the view is right. I wouldn’t worry about Lavos wishing you could shift. Most prefer sex in skin.”

“That makes me feel better. I’ll admit, I feel a little insecure. I saw some woman hitting on him earlier today. She was gorgeous, and a VampLycan like him.”

“He mated and wants you. Be honest with him, Jadee. He’ll always tell you the truth. Mates don’t play games or lie to each other. They don’t cheat either. You can talk to him about anything or ask him any question. You’re his other half. I think that’s the most important thing I can tell you. You didn’t marry a human. You merged your very life and body with a VampLycan. He’s a part of you now, and you’re a part of him. Two become one. It’s emotional and physical. Do you understand?”

She let the words sink in. “You mean that, don’t you?”

“Yes. A lot of mates die if they lose their other half. They just don’t want to live. The ones who survive were either not mated long or have small children. They know they’re needed so they manage to hang on. I worry about one particular woman in our clan because she lost her mate and her kids are almost mature. I don’t know if Perri will keep living once her children leave her home.” Kira sighed. “Welcome to the world of VampLycans. Promise to heed my warnings about being careful of who you trust. You’re not just risking your own ass anymore. Lavos’s life is on the line too.”

It gave Jadee a lot to think about. “Okay. Thank you for telling me all this. I have one more question.”

“Ask away.”

“I don’t want to be rude, but…your dad looks so young.”

Kira laughed. “Most VampLycans age like a human until we hit about twenty. Then it slows down big time. My dad looks to be in his early thirties, at most, but he’s way older.”

Jadee wanted to ask when he was born but she didn’t. “So VampLycans live a long time, huh?”

“The first generations are around two hundred years old. Let’s just say that they look like my dad does. Early to mid-thirties.”

“Shit!”

“Did Lavos tell you drinking his blood is going to do a number on your body? You won’t age in human years anymore, Jadee. Accept his blood during sex. It will make you stronger too. Forget catching a cold, and you’ll heal faster over time.”