After complaining to Whitney, Cameron pretended to faint in her arms.

His performance was so flawless that he probably deserved an award for it.

Whitney didn't spare a glance for me in the corner. Her eyes were fixed only on that harmless-looking fraud of a brother.

"Cameron! Cameron, what's wrong?" she shouted in panic. Then, she turned her gaze on me.

Hatred burned in her gaze. "Skyler, you crazy wretch! If Cameron dies, you'll pay with your life!"

She strode over and kicked my wounded thigh. The pain was blinding. Cold sweat soaked my back instantly.

A doctor stormed into the storage room. The second he saw the situation, he understood exactly what was expected of him.

He put on a show and pretended to check Cameron. "Ms. Linder, this is bad! Mr. Linder is suffering from myocardial ischemia due to extreme shock! If we don't transfuse blood immediately, he could go into heart failure! But the camp is remote, we don't have a blood bank…"

What a pathetic lie.

Since when did being scared mean one needed a transfusion?

This was outright robbery.

Whitney's eyes instantly locked onto me. She knew I was O-negative—a universal donor.

"Take his blood!" she ordered without hesitation. "Do whatever it takes to save Cameron. Drain him dry if you have to!"

I lifted my head weakly and stared at the sister I shared blood with. "I… just survived an avalanche… I've already lost too much blood… If you draw now… You'll kill me…"

My voice was hoarse. I was barely clinging to reason.

Whitney laughed. She crouched down and grabbed a fistful of my hair, yanking my head back. "Do you think you get to talk about life? You're tough. You won't die from a little blood loss. If Cameron doesn't wake up, I'll make your whole family pay."

She pinned my struggling arm down, then gave the doctor the signal.

The doctor didn't hesitate. He pulled out a thick needle and shoved it straight into my already shrunken vein.

He didn't use any disinfectant and was rough.

Bright red blood began to rush through the tube and into the collection bag.

As the liquid drained from me, my vision blurred.

The cold sank deeper into my bones. My heartbeat slowed to a crawl.

Still in Whitney's arms, Cameron cracked one eye open. He let out a cruel smile at me. It was like he was watching an animal being bled out on a hook.

I smiled back.

It was a smile of release.

I finally understood everything as I watched that bag fill with what should have been my lifeblood. Blood ties were nothing but a shackle around my throat.

With the last of my strength, I cried into the void. "Mom! Dad!"

The next instant, a deafening explosion thundered.

The entire wall of the storage room blew apart in a controlled blast.

Stone and debris exploded inward.

The doctor holding the blood bag was thrown off his feet by the shockwave.

The bag flew from his hands, hit the ground, and burst open, splattering across Whitney's face.

The smoke cleared.

Three figures in elite black combat gear stood against the light.

They were like gods of war descending onto earth.

Freya held the latest C4 detonator in one hand. Her red lips were curved into an elegant yet unhinged smile.

Titus had a sniper rifle raised. The red laser dot sat perfectly centered on Whitney's forehead.

Lauren spun a kukri in her hand.

"Skyler."

Lauren's voice was bright with a chilling thrill. "Looks like that sister of yours isn't just stubborn, but she's also a vampire. Want me to drain her dry for you?"