The Lost Vampire by Kate Baxter

Author:Kate Baxter [Baxter, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Published: 2017-07-31T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER

19

Saeed paced the confines of his living room in an effort to burn off the nervous energy that coursed through him. It had been five hours since Rin had effectively dismissed him, leaving Cerys completely unprotected. The gods only knew where Gregor was. Cerys was formidable, but could she best a berserker in full battle rage?

The sun would be up in a couple of short hours and Saeed would effectively become a prisoner. He cursed that weakness he could do nothing about. He hated to feel helpless. Sunrise would create an uncrossable barrier between him and the only thing in this world that mattered to him. He swore, if Rin allowed any harm to come to Cerys, he would make the mage suffer for an eternity.

Saeed continued to pace. Back and forth, back and forth. The color of the sky outside his window began to lift from dark navy to gray as he made the rounds throughout his condo to shut the blinds and effectively seal out the coming sun. Saeed’s limbs grew heavy and his eyelids drooped as the lethargy of daytime sleep began to take hold. His brain buzzed with myriad voices, and Saeed pressed the heels of his palms over his ears as though to block out the alluring sound. How many mornings since his transition had he retreated into the Collective before sleep claimed him? Too damned many to count. Those memories, those voices didn’t interest him anymore. Saeed was through with the Collective. But apparently, it wasn’t through with him.

“Don’t make me do it.” Cerys’s pleading tone speared through Saeed’s chest like a stake.

Rin seemed unconcerned with her distress. He sat beside Saeed, or rather, the vampire whose memories Saeed had fallen into. Kneeling before them was a young male. Silent tears streamed down his cheeks but he remained otherwise emotionless.

“Forgive me Rin,” the male said. “Give me the opportunity to prove my loyalty.”

“There are no other opportunities. You know that.”

Saeed took in his surroundings. He couldn’t be sure but he guessed this event had taken place shortly before the Sortiari declared war on the vampires. The when and where were immaterial in comparison to Cerys. Dark circles hollowed her eyes. She was nearly gaunt, thinner than he’d ever seen her. Her usually almost iridescent skin had taken on a dull pallor and her expression was drawn. He’d never seen her so exhausted. So full of fear. So close to the many emotions she’d thought long gone.

She took a timid step toward Rin. “You’ve used me for too many days. Please, Rin. I need to rest. To replenish my strength.” Her voice dropped to the barest whisper. “When will it ever be enough?”

A cruel sneer curved to Rin’s lip. “It is enough when I say it is enough.” He spoke the words from between clenched teeth. “Do it.”

Cerys let out a ragged breath. “Once more,” she said more to herself than to Rin. “And then please, let me rest.”

If Rin heard her, he gave no outward show of it.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.