Blood & Roses: Warriors of the Krieger by Theresa Hissong Read Free Book Online

business, not
pleasure.
    I opened the door and invited Dragus into my
home, standard protocol; vampires have to be invited in and all
that. I sat in my big comfy recliner while muscle boy sat on the
couch. He took up two-thirds of the space. Man he’s huge!
    “Dragus, I assure you, I have never seen him
before the other night.”
    “Well, I don’t know why he came all the way
out here, unless he wants you for something,” he grimaced. I
noticed how his face momentarily pinched, like he was taking this
whole Adam thing personally.
    “Me!” I squeaked. Why would he want to get to
me? Could it be for throwing him out of my club? I shivered and
mentally checked my security here at the house. Everything was up
to date. There had been a total overhaul on my home just a few
months ago. Top of the line surveillance, bomb resistant steel door
to my resting place, and high powered outside lighting topped off
the list of new additions.
    “I just wanted you to know that there will be
someone here watching over your home day and night, just in case he
returns,” he said proudly while sitting straight as a board in his
seat. What does he do on his day off? Is he always so formal?
    Dragus assured me again that he would have a Krieger check on the house periodically throughout the
night. I think he was going a little above and beyond his job
title, for one victim. Just before he left for the evening, he
slipped me a business card. “Keep my number handy. If you need
anything, please call me.” I nodded and walked him to the door.
    I called Lydia to share the news of the big
bad vampire-wolf hybrid lurking around my house; she was not happy.
Lydia was a little paranoid about security. She kept a daytime Nachtmann and paid extra for another one who stayed at her
place at night. I whole heartedly agreed with her on one thought;
your home was your sanctuary; a safe place where you shouldn’t be
harmed, day or night. But I was comfortable with my precautions at
home.
    “Why don’t you stay home,” she suggested. “I
will take care of things here tonight.”
    “I think I will. First, I’m going over to the
clinic, but I promise to come right back.” I assured her.
     
    On the way back from the Red Cross, I watched
the road looking for any sign of Adam. The trees draped carefully
alongside the two lane road that my house was on. Almost like a
protective blanket in the night. I wasn’t fooled; these trees were
the very thing that kept creatures of the night, like me, cloaked
in secrecy.
    I was a little on edge wondering why he was
hanging around my house. How did he know where I lived? Could I put
my trust in the Krieger and Nachtmann ? They know what
they are doing. I shouldn’t be so worried.
    Pulling in the driveway, I used my heightened
senses to listen for something, anything that might be trouble. I
had to admit, I was a little restless having to return to my house
alone, but soon relaxed a little after I parked in the garage.
    Tonight was going to be for catching up on
housework. Yes, even vampires have to clean. Clothes get dirty
whether you are human or otherwise. The house needs dusting,
bathrooms need cleaning and blah, blah, blah. I hate it, but it has
to be done. So, with that thought, I turned for the laundry room,
only to be stopped by the phone.
    “Hello?” I answered.
    “Charity, guess what?” It was Lydia in all
her perky happiness. She was bursting at the seams, wanting to tell
me something.
    “What?” I had to laugh at her enthusiasm.
    “Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome was just here
looking for you. I told him you took tonight off.” She sounded
pleased, like she was sending me a Valentine’s Day gift early.
    “Well great! What did he want?” Yeah, my
voice was now defiantly showing disgust.
    “Nothing much, just wanted to know where you
were.” I could almost hear her shrug. “Look, I got to go. Jackson
needs some more booze from the locker. Talk to you later.”
    Great! What the hell did he want,