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

“Why are you here?”
    “Do not change the subject on me, answer my
question,” he thundered. It was then that I realized that Dragus
already knew that Adam was a telepath. Although he looked mad, I
couldn’t help but notice how much concern he used in his voice. His
features hardened just slightly as he watched for my answer.
    “No!” I yelled.
    “Charity, please tell me,” he begged, his
sultry voice returned. He used my first name and damn did it make
me smile. His words rolled off his tongue like a seductive purr.
That threw me off guard and for a second I almost spilled.
    “No,” I whispered.
    He reached up to cup his hands around the top
of my head; for a second I thought he was going to kiss me. Yeah,
well, reality sucks, and his intentions struck me quicker. I jumped
back and knocked his hand away.
    “Oh, no you don’t Krieger ! You do not read my mind, unless you have my permission,” I growled.
Dragus and his band of warriors had the ability to read thoughts,
but only with touch. By law, they must have a civilian’s permission
or a government court order to do it. I have never let a Krieger clasp their big meaty paws around my skull, and I
don’t plan on letting Dragus do it now.
    “My apologies,” he bowed. “You startled me,
Charity. I heard screaming and I took it upon myself to enter your
home to help you. I found you rolling around on the floor crying
and grabbing your head. Are you hurt?”
    I bit back the accusations I wanted to fling
at him, because he was worried. How romantic was that? Big bad ass
warrior, busting through my door to defend me, and he used my first
name instead of my lady . Ah, swoon!
    “I’m fine. These things happen all the time,”
I swatted my hand out to the side, dismissing his concern. “Why are
you here?”
    “I spoke with Lydia Duncan earlier; she told
me you were staying home tonight. So, I expanded my rounds to
survey your property.” He spoke so nonchalantly, I totally bought
his excuse, at first.
    The way Dragus looked at me held a deep
compassion; like he was truly worried for my safety. Well, that was
his job. Right? No, there was something else there in his eyes.
Could he have really been in my dreams all those years ago? Does he
know who I am?
    He held my gaze for a few seconds too long,
and then looked away. Man, he was hard to read. I never really knew
how to deal with him.
    “Well, go ahead and make your sweeps. I have
laundry to do,” I snapped. All of a sudden his eyes narrowed and
his nose twitched, like he smelled something bad. Before I could
turn away, he grabbed my hand at the tips of my finger and in one
swift move he slid the sleeve of my sweater up, exposing my wound
from a few nights before.
    “Oh! My lady, you have not healed,” he
gasped, carefully examining my arm.
    “I, uh yeah,” I stuttered. “I used the
ointment and took some blood, but it didn’t heal very well. I’m
hoping after tonight’s sleep, I should be better.”
    Dragus dropped the hold on my hand and
immediately removed his leather coat. He was dressed in his
standard issued black Krieger shirt. His biceps were so huge
that the end of the short sleeves protested by hugging those
luscious arms. I was momentarily distracted and didn’t notice his
wrist held up to my face.
    “Take my blood, my lady. It should heal you
proper. I can smell that the wound is infected, most likely that
stake was made of Hawthorne,” he suggested. Hawthorne wood is one
of the strongest materials to make a stake out of. Vampires are
highly allergic to it. If it didn’t kill you, most likely you would
get a bad infection from the wound, and warrior blood was an
awesome antibiotic.
    Well, I wasn’t going to argue. Rumor has it
that drinking from a Krieger is just as good, if not better,
than a hot night in the sack. Bottoms up! I grasped his arm with my
hand and noticed it only wrapped halfway around his wrist.
    I sank my fangs into his vein and drank. As I
drank, I floated. The