Blood Legacy: Heir to the Throne by Kerri Hawkins Read Free Book Online

equipment so that she could begin running all sorts of experiments on herself, studying the ongoing change to her system. Although she had access to the penultimate research subject in Ryan, she was often too embarrassed to ask Ryan to continually subject herself to testing. Additionally, Susan now had the opportunity to test the Change itself, the transition from human to immortal. Ryan was one of the most advanced of her Kind, and now Susan had the opportunity to study the more “primitive” version: herself. The anticipation was killing her.
    “You will be leaving within the hour,” Raphael said, interrupting her reverie, “Madame has traveled ahead.” Raphael smiled to himself. He was too young to read Marilyn’s thoughts and would not have so intruded were he able. But he knew whom the dark-haired one wanted to see.
    Susan was relieved. It was difficult enough being around Marilyn; the intensity was incredible. But in her newly vulnerable condition, sensitive to every nuance, every sensation, it was impossible.
    Raphael watched his protégé with a mixture of pride and protectiveness. Marilyn’s “interference” had definitely had an effect, and Susan was aware of much more than most Young Ones. But Raphael was uncertain if that would be helpful, or a great hindrance, in what she was about to face.
    CHAPTER 7
    RYAN PUT THE BOOK DOWN and extended her senses to see if her son was awake. He was sleeping soundly, and she found herself somewhat disappointed. From what she understood, he slept far less than a normal infant, but still far more than her.
    This made Ryan smile. Finally, someone who slept more than she did. Many of the Old Ones had commented on the amount of time she spent sleeping. Although she had no normal pattern and could go weeks if not months without sleep, she could also sleep for weeks and months at a time. She had once slept for 14 years straight.
    Ryan’s expression darkened. That had been after her Change, the transition from human to their Kind. Ryan’s Change had been particularly horrific because Victor had been so immensely powerful when he Changed her. It was only the fact that she was not fully human that had allowed her to survive. She wondered if her son’s Change would be as difficult.
    Ryan stood, restless. The restlessness was not unusual for her, but it generally had a cause, one which she could not quite identify at the moment.
    She started down the darkened hallway. She could sense all sorts of movement throughout the mansion, mostly from Abigail’s staff. Ryan wondered if that was the source of her restlessness. Somehow she did not think so. It seemed as if there was something else, something very familiar…
    Ryan was slammed backward into the wall so hard that the marble caved inward in an outline of her body. Her assailant held her against the wall as bits of stone fell to the ground, making little clinking noises as the dust settled. Surprisingly Ryan did not appear angry, nor did she struggle. If anything, she appeared faintly amused at the attack.
    Marilyn gazed down at the girl, their lips nearly touching. “I have missed you, little one.”
    The endearment, as always, was slightly mocking and tinged with intimacy. Few would dare address Ryan so, but Marilyn had always had her way. Marilyn further had her way by bending down and planting a lingering kiss on Ryan.
    “I can see that,” Ryan said as Marilyn leaned back, still maintaining her hold on the girl.
    “You have been so distant from us these days,” Marilyn said, slightly scolding.
    “Yes,” Ryan said, “I have already received that lecture from Abigail.”
    Marilyn smiled, and her teeth were brilliant in the darkness. “And did she discipline you in her usual way?”
    Only Marilyn could make Ryan blush so. It was a physiological throwback Ryan wished she did not have, one Marilyn took every opportunity to exploit. Marilyn enjoyed the girl’s obvious discomfort, a discomfort that grew at a noise from