"The vampire curse," I read aloud. "Originated three hundred years ago when the vampire queen tried to steal Phoenix power through a blood ritual. The ritual backfired, creating a wasting sickness that kills vampires slowly, painfully. Only Phoenix blood can cure it temporarily, but the cure requires regular doses. The vampires have been hunting Phoenixes to extinction, trying to find a permanent solution."

"And breeding them," Avalon said grimly, reading over my shoulder. "Creating a captive population."

"That's why they need me," I said, nausea rising. "Not just for my blood, but to create more Phoenixes they can harvest."

"Over my dead body," Zane growled.

I kept reading, flipping through pages of formulas and diagrams. Then I stopped, my blood running cold.

"What?" Avalon asked. "What is it?"

"The cure," I whispered. "The permanent cure. It's not just Phoenix blood. It requires..." I looked up at them with horror written on my face. "It requires a Phoenix to willingly reverse the curse and give their life force to break it."

"So they need you to sacrifice yourself," Zane said flatly. "That's not happening."

"There's more," I said, reading frantically. "My mother discovered something. The curse wasn't just random, it was tied to a specific bloodline. The vampire royal family and the only Phoenix who can break it is..." My voice failed.

"Is what?" Avalon demanded.

"A direct descendant of the Phoenix who created the curse," I finished. "Which is my mother's line. My bloodline."

The room fell silent except for my ragged breathing.

"That's why they came for your mother," Avalon said slowly. "And why they'll come for you."

"And why Father betrayed her," I said bitterly. "He knew what she was and what I'd be so he sold us both to the vampires for power."

"Then we kill him," Zane said simply. "Along with Bron before they can tell the vampires you exist."

"They already know," I said, pointing to a final entry in the journal. "Mother wrote this two days before she died. 'Bruin has sent word to the vampire court. They're coming for me. I've hidden the truth about Zephyr, made them think she's human. But once she awakens... they'll know. They'll feel her power and come for her just as they came for me. I can only pray she's stronger than I was. And her mates protect her where Bruin failed me.'"

I closed the journal, fury and grief rising in my chest. "She tried to protect me and my father still sold her out."

"We need to move fast," Avalon said, already thinking tactically. "If the vampires don't know about you yet..."

"They will soon," I interrupted. "The power I used against Bron and Father, that much Phoenix fire? They felt it and if they're smart, they'll realize what it means."

"How long do we have?" Zane asked.

"Days," I said. "Maybe a week if we're lucky."

"Then we use that time," Avalon said. "We train you harder and fortify the estate. Then we make sure your father and brother can't send word to anyone."

"I want them dead," I said, and the Phoenix fire flared beneath my skin. "For what they did to Mother. For what they tried to do to me."

"And in the meantime?" I asked.

"In the meantime," Zane said, moving closer, "you let us keep you safe. All three of us."

"I can keep myself safe," I argued, but without heat.

"Can you?" Zane challenged, circling me like he always did. "Because from where I'm standing, you just found out the vampires want to breed you like cattle, and your father murdered your mother, and you've got maybe a week before your entire world goes to hell. Forgive me if I think you could use some backup."

He wasn't wrong. As much as I hated admitting it, I was in over my head.

"Fine," I said. "But I'm still killing Bron myself."

"Wouldn't dream of taking that from you," Zane said, then caught my chin, tilting my face up. "But right now, you look like you're about to shatter. So here's what's going to happen. Avalon's going to take the journal and start making plans. And you and I are going to stay here and make sure you don't fall apart."

"I'm not going to..." I started, but the words died when I saw the concern in his burning eyes.

"Come here," Zane said, pulling me into his arms as soon as Avalon left.

I went, and the moment his warmth surrounded me, the dam broke.

I sobbed into his chest for my mother, for the life stolen from her, for the childhood I'd lost when she died. For everything Father had taken from both of us.

"I'm going to kill him," I choked out between sobs. "I'm going to make him suffer the way she suffered."

"I know," he murmured, stroking my hair. "And I'll help you. We all will."

That seemed to fan the mate bond between us and for the first time, I understood why fate had bound me to Zane. Because he understood the rage, the need for violence, the desire to watch your enemies burn.

"Kiss me," I said, surprising myself.

His eyes flared. "Zephyr-"

"I need to feel something other than grief," I interrupted. "Please, Zane. Make me feel alive."

He studied me for a long moment, then crushed his mouth to mine.

The kiss was nothing like Avalon's-no ice, no control. This was pure fire, consuming and wild. His tongue swept against mine as his hands fisted in my hair, and I gasped into his mouth.

The mate bond exploded between us, pleasure and pain and power all tangled together.

"Fuck," he groaned against my lips. "You taste like smoke and fury."

"Good," I panted, nails digging into his shoulders. "Don't stop."

He walked me backward until I hit the desk, then lifted me onto it. Papers scattered as he settled between my thighs, and I wrapped my legs around his waist.

"This is a bad idea," he said, even as his hands slid up my thighs, pushing my dress higher.

"I don't care," I said, yanking at his shirt. "I need this. I fucking need you."

He captured my mouth again, swallowing my moans as his fingers found the edge of my underwear. "Tell me to stop, and I will."

"Don't you dare stop," I commanded, and the Alpha tone in my voice made him grin.

"There's my Phoenix," he said, then tore my underwear off in one sharp movement.

I cried out, more from surprise than pain, but he swallowed the sound with another bruising kiss. His fingers slid through my wetness, and he groaned.

"So fucking wet already," he said against my lips. "Are you wet because of me or the bond?"

"Both," I admitted, because lying seemed pointless when I could feel his desire through the mate connection.

He pushed two fingers inside me, and I arched off the desk. "Zane..."

"Say my name again," he demanded, pumping his fingers slowly. "Let me hear you."

"Zane," I gasped as he added a third finger, stretching me. "Please..."

"Please what?" He curled his fingers, hitting something inside me that made stars burst behind my eyelids. "Use your words, little Phoenix."

"Fuck me," I demanded. "Now."

The attack came on the fourth night while I was in the training room with Osilus, working on controlling the Phoenix fire without letting it consume me. Sweat dripped down my spine as golden flames moved across my palms, and I focused on keeping them contained, controlled.

"Good," Osilus said, circling me slowly. "Now try to..."

The estate's alarm system screamed to life.

The fire in my hands exploded outward, and Osilus barely managed to throw up an earth shield before it would have scorched him.

"What's happening?" I demanded, the flames guttering out.

"There's a serious breach," he said, already moving toward the door. "Someone's broken through the perimeter."

Avalon's voice crackled through the intercom. "Osilus, get Zephyr to the safe room. Now."

"No," I said, following Osilus into the hallway. "I'm not hiding while..."

The window at the end of the corridor exploded inward and three wolves crashed through in a shower of glass. Behind the chaos stood three massive snarling wolves with red bands around their necks that marked them as rogues for hire. Behind them, more howls echoed through the night.

"Zephyr, run!" Osilus roared, shifting mid-stride. His wolf was enormous and brown and he met the first attacker head-on.

I ran, but not away. I ran toward the sounds of fighting, toward where I felt Avalon and Zane through the mate bonds.

The main hall was chaos.

At least a dozen rogues had entered the estate. This wasn't a random attack, someone had paid well for this.

Was it Father? I thought with cold certainty. Or Bron.

Avalon was in the center of the hall in his wolf form which was massive and white as winter, with ice literally forming where his paws touched. He tore through rogues like they were paper, but there were too many.

Zane fought near the entrance, still human but moving with speed it was hard to focus on him. Fire surrounded his fists, and every punch left burns and broken bones.

"Zephyr!" Avalon's voice in my head, sharp with command. "Get out of here!"

"No," I said aloud, and let the Phoenix fire rise.

It came easier this time, responding to my rage and fear. Golden flames erupted across my skin, and the temperature in the hall rose.

The nearest rogue turned toward me, seeing easy prey and thought it was a good idea to lunge at me with jaws open ready to tear out my throat.

I threw my hands forward, and Phoenix fire poured out. The rogue didn't even have time to scream, he was ash before he hit the ground.

Every wolf in the hall froze, staring at me.

"Anyone else?" I asked, my voice echoing with something not quite human.

Two more rogues charged me together, thinking numbers would help.

I pulled the fire inward, condensing it, then released it in a wave that swept across the hall. Both wolves went down screaming as their fur caught fire. The smell of burning flesh filled the air, and I felt nothing but cold satisfaction.

"Zephyr, behind you!" Zane's warning came too late because before I could react, claws raked down my back, and I screamed. The pain was white-hot, and I stumbled forward. The rogue's weight crashed into me, driving me to the ground.

I felt it's hot breath on my neck as its jaws opened to deliver the killing bite.

Then ice exploded across the rogue's face, and Avalon's massive wolf form tore him off me. There was a sickening crack, and the rogue went limp.

"Zephyr," Avalon shifted back to human, kneeling beside me. Blood streamed down his chest from a dozen wounds. "How bad?"

"I'm fine," I lied, even as blood soaked through my training clothes. "There are still so many of them"

"We know," Zane said, appearing beside us. He had a slash across his face, and his knuckles were raw and bleeding. "This is just the first wave. I think they're testing our defenses."

"Or trying to keep us busy," Osilus added, joining us. He was still in wolf form, limping slightly. "While someone else..."

Just then, an explosion rocked the estate.

"The vault," Avalon said, his face going hard. "They're after the Phoenix blood."

"Go," I said, struggling to my feet despite the pain. "I can handle this..."

"You're injured," he cut me off. "And you're their real target. The blood is just a bonus."

He was right. This whole attack was designed to either kill me or capture me. The rogues, the explosions, all these distractions.

"Then let's give them what they want," I said, and saw understanding dawn in his eyes.

"You want to be bait?" Zane asked, grinning despite the blood on his face. "I like it."

"I don't," Avalon growled. "It's too dangerous."

"Everything is dangerous," I shot back. "But at least this way, we control the situation."

Another explosion happened, closer this time and the chandelier above us swayed dangerously.

"We don't have time to argue," Osilus said, shifting back to human. "If they reach the vault..."

"They won't," I said. "Because I'm going to draw them out. All of them."

Before Avalon could protest, I pushed past him and walked toward the main entrance. My back screamed with every step, but I forced myself to move.

The night air hit me like a slap. The estate grounds were crawling with rogues with at least twenty more waiting in the shadows.

And standing at the treeline, watching with cold calculation, was Bron.

"Hello, sister," he called out, his voice carrying across the lawn. "Enjoying your inheritance?"

"Bron," I said, and Phoenix fire flickered across my hands. "I should have known you wouldn't have the balls to face me yourself."

"Why would I?" He stepped forward, and I saw the silver blade in his hand. "When I can pay others to do it? Though I must admit, I'm impressed you survived this long. Father said you'd die in the first wave."

"Father's here too?" I asked, scanning the treeline.

"Watching from a safe distance," Bron said with a smirk. "He's very interested to see if the rogues can take you alive. The vampires are paying a fortune for living Phoenix specimens."

I stood there stunned and unable to move . "You sold me to the vampires?"

"Of course," he said, like it was obvious. "Just like Father sold Mother. It's nothing personal, Zephyr. Just good business."

The Phoenix fire roared to life, and this time I didn't try to contain it. Golden flames erupted across my entire body, turning night into day.

"You're going to die," I said, and my voice was layered with something ancient and furious. "Both of you. Tonight."

Bron's smirk faltered. "Attack!" he screamed to the rogues. "Fifty thousand to whoever brings her down!"

They charged as one, twenty wolves against one Phoenix.

I threw my arms wide and let the fire explode outward.

The wave of Phoenix flame swept across the lawn like a tsunami. Rogues screamed as their fur ignited, and as the fire found them no matter where they tried to hide.

"Zephyr!" Avalon's voice was sharp with concern. "You're burning too hot!"

He was right. The fire was feeding on my rage, growing beyond my control. The grass beneath my feet turned to ash, and the air shimmered with heat.

"I can't stop it," I gasped, even as more rogues fell. "It won't stop"

Cool hands grabbed my shoulders and the shock of it broke through the fury, and I gasped.

"Breathe," Avalon commanded. "Channel it and don't let it control you."

I focused on his touch, on the mate bond tying us together. Slowly but painfully, I pulled the fire back in.

When I opened my eyes, the lawn was scorched black. At least fifteen rogues lay dead or dying, and the survivors were fleeing into the forest.

Bron had also disappeared.

"Coward," Zane spat, appearing beside us. "He ran the moment you started burning."

"He won't get far," Osilus said. "I can track him."

"No," I said, swaying slightly. The fire had taken more out of me than I'd realized. "Let him run. Let him tell Father I'm coming for them both."

"Zephyr," Avalon said gently, supporting me as my knees buckled. "You're bleeding badly. We need to get you inside."

I looked down and saw that the claw marks on my back had soaked through my clothes, and blood pooled at my feet.

"I'm fine," I started to say, then my vision doubled.

But before I fell, strong arms caught me and the last thing I heard before darkness took me was Avalon's voice.

"Find them. Find Bron and Bruin Chance. I want them alive."

I woke to pain.

Every breath sent fire through my back, and I groaned before I could stop myself.

"Easy," Osilus's voice was soft. "Don't try to move."

I forced my eyes open to find myself in the master suite, lying on my stomach. Osilus sat beside the bed, one hand resting gently on my shoulder.

"How bad is it?" I asked, my voice rough.

"Very bad," he said. "The rogues had somehow used silver claws so it'll take longer to heal."

"How long was I out?" I tried to hold my head.

"Six hours," Avalon said, and I turned my head to find him standing by the window. "Osilus has been healing you, but silver slows everything."

"What about the estate?" I asked.

"It's safe for now," Zane said from the doorway.

"And Bron?"

"He was gone before any of us could find him," Avalon said, his jaw tight. "But we found something interesting on one of the rogues." He held up a piece of paper. "A contract and payment for your capture."

"Does it say who signed it?" I asked, though I already knew.

"Bruin Chance," Avalon confirmed. "Your father ordered your death."

The words should have hurt, but they just made me angry. "I need to find out where he is now?"

"That's the interesting part," Zane said, coming to sit on the edge of the bed. "We tracked him to the old Chance estate. He's barricaded himself inside with Bron and about a dozen guards."

"I need a car," I said, trying to sit up and pain went through my back. I groaned until Osilus gently pushed me back down.

"You're not going anywhere until you heal," he said firmly.

"The hell I'm not," I argued. "They tried to kill me. Again. I'm not waiting around for them to try a third time."

"Zephyr," Avalon said, and there was something in his voice that made me look at him. "The rogues we captured... they talked... Your father has been in contact with the vampires. He's offered you to them in exchange for territory and power."

"When?" I demanded.

"They're coming in three days," he said. "Your father plans to hand you over personally."

"The only person I'm handling over is his dead body" I said flatly.

"But, you can barely move," Osilus pointed out gently. "Give it at least..."

"No, I'm so close to having my revenge,I couldn't sleep." Just then Emma ran inside holding a letter. I took it from her hand and as my eyes saw the first word, my heart stopped beating. It was from the Council members.