B0089ZO7UC EBOK by Jez Strider Read Free Book Online

cry.”   Marcus seemed uncomfortable around my tears.   “It’ll be okay.   You’re other vampire…friend went after the old one.”
    All I could do was shake my head slowly and I looked away from Marcus.   In my heart I felt deep shame and regret, not just toward hurting Marcus, but also Antonio.   Oddly enough, I felt the same emotion for Dante when my anger had passed.   All their pain was my fault.  
    Marcus remained quiet and just let me cry.   I was thankful for it.   He washed all the blood from my hair, brushed it delicately, and fixing it into a side braid.
    “I didn’t know you knew how to do that.”   I said softly, toying with the tail of the braid.
    He gave a weak laugh.   “My two older sisters always made me help them out when I was a kid.   I couldn’t refuse.   They were bigger than me at the time.”
    I knew he was trying to cheer me up and it helped a little.   “I remember you mentioning them.”
    “Wait here.   I’m going to go get your clothing.”   He gave me a soft kiss on top of my head before leaving the room.
    My anxiety was rising quickly.   Being alone terrified me.   I saw the bloody dress I’d been wearing shoved into the trash can and I screamed and called for Marcus.
    He’d immediately returned to the bathroom, holding the gun ready as he glanced around.   “What is it, babe?”   The gun lowered and he knelt by my side for a moment, before lifting me up into his arms. He carried me out of the bathroom and into Dante’s private chamber where he’d dropped my clothing when I screamed.   I sobbed against his chest.   When I seemed to calm somewhat he sat me down on the bed and wrapped the bedspread around my naked body.   The cover smelled like it had been recently washed.   I was glad.   If I’d have had to smell Dante’s scent I would have vomited.
    “I’m sorry.”   I remember whispering over and over as I lay down.   The wall across from me had a painting.   I knew the figure, because it was me.   My own accusing stare was on me as I drifted into sleep.
    That night I had a vivid dream.   I was surrounded by Antonio, Dante, and Marcus, all three of them dead on the ground and drained of all their blood.   They all seemed peaceful and innocent, like they were asleep.   Rage filled me and I wanted revenge on who killed them.   When I turned, I saw my reflection looking back at me in a window.   My fangs were extended, covered in blood, and my eyes glowed.   I realized what I had done and leapt into the air with a primal scream.   I was flying, faster and faster away from what I had done.   The ocean was in the distance.   Before I knew it, I was over the massive body of water.   The moon shone on the surface and I dove deep under the surface until I was completely surrounded by darkness.  
    I awoke with a start and a gasp for air.   As I looked around the room, I was disoriented on where I was.   Antonio and Marcus were both next to me in an instant, trying to calm me and asking if I was alright.  
    “Yeah, yeah.”   I held up my hand for some space and they both backed away.   “Just a dream.”   I looked from one to the other and noticed that Marcus had a fresh cut on his lip.   My head turned sharply to Antonio.   “Did you hit him?”
    Antonio cleared his throat. “Perhaps, but he initiated the altercation.”
    “We had some things to settle, man to man.”   Marcus smirked.   “Nothing to worry your pretty head over.”
    I had to grit my teeth, but I didn’t have the strength to argue.   “Did you catch him?”
    Antonio and Marcus stared at each other for a moment before Antonio looked at me and spoke.   “No.   Even with his injuries, he was too fast.   He was also healing quicker than any vampire I’ve ever seen.”
    “Then he’ll come after me again.”   My heart sank and I was scared.
    “If he does, we will be ready.   We won’t be caught off guard this time.”   Marcus said.
    My head was