Summoning Shadows: A Rosso Lussuria Vampire Novel by Pennington Winter

Author:Pennington, Winter [Pennington, Winter]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781602827202
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2012-09-16T19:53:14+00:00

*

My head pounded. I sat up in the bed and reached up to rub my temples. Why on earth did I have a headache?

“Cara mia, you’re awake.” Renata rose from a nearby chair.

“And I’m still in this forsaken place,” I said, noting the familiar surroundings. The same dark drapes with the same fireplace burning.

“Yes. We did not think it would be wise to move you so soon.”

I reclined against the pillows. “What happened? Where’s Morina?”

“She’s in our custody.” Renata sat beside me. I took her hand and pulled her closer, relishing the feel of her and breathing out a sigh of relief.

“Is this real?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“I’ve been losing my mind in this place.”

“You were starved when I found you.” She held me close to her, close enough that I could feel her heart beating against my chest. “I’d feared I’d nearly lost you, cara mia. Trust me, it was very real and very harrowing.” Her arms tightened around me. “This is very real,” she murmured against my hair.

I wept, the tears sliding freely down my cheeks. I wept, and while I did, Renata held me. The door opened while I was crying and the sigil on my right wrist tingled slightly.

Iliaria crossed the room and came to us, to me. Her body pressed against my back and I wept while they both held me.

When I was done and my tears had passed, Iliaria touched my shoulder. I turned my face and brushed my lips across her hand. I didn’t know what to say but I found myself unable to stop touching them both. I had to touch them to convince myself they were real.

“There is someone else that wishes to see you,” Iliaria said, rising slowly. I let her draw away as she went to the door to let someone in.

Vasco’s face lit up despite his tears and my heart felt lighter, more sure.

“Vasco,” I said, my voice choked.

“Save your words, sorella. We have much to discuss. I only wanted to see for myself that you are alive and well.”

He walked around to Renata’s side and she got up to give him room to embrace me. Vasco bent over and I got to my knees to meet him halfway. His arms encircled me, strong and firm, brotherly and affectionate. He placed a kiss atop my head.

“Sorella, the next time you think to play nice, a little advance warning would be appreciated.”

That old familiar Cheshire cat grin spread across his features when he stepped away.

“Aye,” I said. “It really wasn’t the greatest idea, was it?”

“No,” he said. “How do you feel, sorella? Do you feel well enough for more visitors?”

I blinked. “Who else is there?”

“Queen Helamina is very interested in meeting you, cara mia.” The corner of Renata’s mouth twitched, and I reached out to touch her. She took my hand, twining her fingers with mine.

“It sounds as though there’s a story to be told. Why did it take so long for you to find me?”

“Ah, that,” Vasco said, “that was unfortunately Damokles’s doing.

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