Blood That Binds: A Vampire Romance (Blood Legends Duet) by Melissa Winters

Author:Melissa Winters [Winters, Melissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wintersgate Press, LLC
Published: 2020-09-30T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Julian

The place smells like death, and I’d know all about that. I step over the threshold, not having a clue what I’ll find. A solid inch of dust coats every surface, and the overall state of the house is in desperate need of attention. It’s falling apart. Paint is peeling off the walls and the wood underneath is rotting. Upon closer inspection, I realize it’s due to an ongoing leak from somewhere upstairs.

The thought of Marina growing up here bothers me. Based on the level of decay, things have been like this for a long time. Despite the obvious neglect, she loves her parents. It was evident in the way her eyes crinkled at the corners and her lips were downturned when she spoke of their addiction. She was attempting to hold back tears and it almost broke me.

I’m not used to giving a fuck about someone else. Especially not a human. But Marina is different. Why? I have no idea, but she is. I’m still trying to figure out the connection I have to her, but for now, my focus is on this current issue.

It would be easy for me to end both of their lives for the abandonment of Marina, but I promised her I’d get them help, and I’ll keep that promise.

I continue to walk through the house, looking for any signs of life, but so far, nothing. Things are worse here than Marina let on, and no matter her feelings about being at Castle Bellus, I know now she’s far better off. I’ll take care of her.

There’s finally a noise and I strain to hear where it’s coming from. Someone moans unintelligibly. I walk toward the sound and come to a half-opened door, swinging it open, gagging at the putrid smell.

A vampire’s sense of smell is more acute than a human’s, and this is beyond rank. Feces and vomit coat every inch of the dark space. My hands feel along the wall until they come upon a light switch. With a flick upward, low light filters through the small space. A tiny frame covered by a thin sheet lies still.

I swipe away a strand of greasy blond hair to reveal a face unlike Marina’s. The skin on this woman is weathered and grey in color. Pulling the cover back, I flinch at what remains of the woman. How long has it been since she’s eaten? She’s a step away from death. If I don’t get her to a hospital soon, she’ll die.

I take out my cell phone and call for Bash. “I need you in here.”

He doesn’t reply, but the line goes dead. Bash had set up a lookout for Marc. There had been nothing in days, so I brought him with me for backup, in case the Council is having me tailed.

“My God,” he grates. I turn to see him covering his nose. “Is it dead?”

“Almost. I need you to get her to the hospital. I’m going to make some calls and arrange for her transportation to a rehab clinic in Arizona, assuming she survives.

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