Chapter 161

XANDER

The hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention, I don't turn immediately. Letting the shock wear off my face first.

My first instinct had been to get my mate out of there, then on second thought I didn't move, knowing she was playing a game I have no idea how to. If she gets an inkling of my affections towards her daughter, this will just be a million times worse. I already have a lot to lose as it is. Any more and I would be left with nothing.

"Hello Xander," her slightly raspy voice says. This time I spin and face her, my eyes flicker to the bed, where Adriana is sitting still like a sculpture or something inanimate. I make sure the look is as brief as humanly possible, a blink is slower than that.

Beside the bed, standing in her full glory is the woman I had hoped I wouldn't have to face since the last time we tried to kill each other, a century ago.

I feel the darkness that has been hibernating in me all these mo