Angel's Kiss by Melanie Tomlin Read Free Book Online Page B

finger in his mouth and rolled his tongue around it before pulling it out, a look of disgust on his face.
    “Quite unusual. I can smell and taste vampire, yet you’re alive. Did your pack friends save you? It won’t do you any good now,” he grinned, “there are none left.”
    “I’ve got no idea what you’re talking about. I don’t have any friends, ” I snorted.
    He shook me violently. “Not mortal, no friend of the wolf … then what? Did a demon send you? Are you a messenger or a spy?”
    I struggled to release myself from his grip.
    “Look, I’m just a girl who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. It’s the story of my life really.”
    “Bah! I think we’ll need to take you back with us.”
    He lifted me up off the ground in one fluid movement. I twisted and turned, trying to wriggle my way out of his grip, which tightened with each move I made.
    A bird of prey circled overhead, screeching loudly and drawing attention to itself. Apart from the fighting it was the only other animal sound I’d heard since entering the forest. The vampire cocked his head to one side as though listening to something beyond my range of hearing.
    “It appears we’re going to have to skip the interrogation. Someone is looking for you. My companions say we need to leave,” he smiled at me, “but a kiss before parting. I’m sure you’ll remember what this is like.”
    And then there was pain .
    The vampire’s lips locked onto my neck with leech-like efficiency. His hand released my wrist and fastened onto my upper arm, to stop me from struggling.
    I could feel the blood draining away from my body, my life force — my essence — ebbing. It was all I could do, in that moment of absolute fear and terror, to raise my left hand and grasp his wrist.
    The instant my fingers connected with his wrist he knew something had changed, that the balance of power was shifting. He could not pull away from me, the bloodlust having taken control, yet he could not stop what was happening to him.
    With each passing second I felt stronger, though the fiery agony grew with the additional point of contact. My hunger and thirst were abating, but my exhaustion was growing. I needed to hold out as long as possible — until it was finished.
    The intensity of the pain was such that my vision became clouded, the world taking on a red hue. The muscles in my back, arms and stomach tightened until they were afflicted by rapid spasms. The pain continued to grow as I heard two screams ringing in my ears — one clear and loud, the other muffled, then all was dark and it was only me with my pain.
    After what felt like an eternity I heard an anguished voice, barely a whisper, “What have I done? What have I done? ”
    “Danny? My angel?” I called out weakly.
    “I’m here,” he murmured in my ear. “I’m sorry.”
    He lifted me gently and held me to his chest. I felt him shaking and thought I heard faint sobs.
    “Don’t cry,” I whispered.
    He didn’t reply, only held me closer to him, his head bent until it was touching mine. The darkness took me once again.

 
     
    6. Angel's Blood
     
    I woke in a large comfortable bed, to the sun shining through the window. The thin curtains had been drawn back to allow the warmth of the sun to heat the room.
    What had happened? How did I get here and where was here? Here was the cottage, I realised, as I began to recognise my surroundings. I was a bit fuzzy on the other details … I remembered hearing Danny’s voice and being whisked away.
    It surprised me how good I felt, given how much pain I was in when Danny found me. The hunger and thirst had gone, replaced by an unexpected vitality coursing through my body. It was a new and exciting experience for me, like I was truly alive for the first time, my eyes finally opened to the wonders of the world.
    I got up and sorted through the pile of clothes in the armchair for something suitable to wear. It grated that I was still in the clothes I’d last