Chapter 83. What He Truly Wanted

Earlier that day.

Skyler POV

It hadn’t surprised me when Grant insisted on meeting in person—and that I accompany Daniel—before he’d even consider our request. Daniel bristled at the idea; he didn’t want me anywhere near Grant. But Elizabeth’s life hung in the balance, and I swallowed my pride. This wasn’t the time for power plays or ego. If Daniel failed to save our father—if the vampires offered the only real chance for Elizabeth’s survival—I had to be there.

By the time we reached the vampires’ territory, it had been three grueling hours of travel. Now we stood again in the dimly lit corridor outside room 311 of a shabby hotel that smelled faintly of antiseptic and something sweet gone sour. My nerves were frayed by the memory of what had happened earlier, by the way they had looked at me—and at Daniel—as if we were prey.

We stepped inside without knocking. The door swung inward almost before we raised our fists. The female vampire’s blue eyes gleamed