Circus of the Damned by Laurell K. Hamilton Read Free Book Online Page A

in his voice, derision. “I can smell her desire.”
    Jean-Claude turned just his head, staring at Stephen. “As can I.” The words were innocent, but the feeling behind them wasn’t. His voice slithered around the room, low and full of a terrible promise.
    â€œI meant no harm, Master, no harm.” Stephen looked scared. I didn’t blame him.
    Jean-Claude turned back to me as if nothing had happened. His face was still pleasantly handsome, interested, amused.
    â€œI don’t need your protection.”
    â€œOh, I think you do.”
    I whirled and found another vampire standing at my back. I hadn’t heard the door open.
    She smiled at me, without flashing fang. A trick that the older vampires learn. She was tall and slender with dark skin and long ebony hair that swung around her waist. She wore crimson Lycra bike pants that clung so tight, you knew she wasn’t wearing underwear. Her top was red silk, loose and blousy, with thin spaghetti straps holding it in place.It looked like the top to slinky pajamas. Red high-heeled sandals and a thin gold chain set with a single diamond completed the outfit. The word that came to mind was “exotic.” She glided towards me, smiling.
    â€œIs that a threat?” I asked.
    She stopped in front of me. “Not yet.” There was a hint of some other language in her voice. Something darker with rolling, sibilant sounds.
    â€œThat is enough,” Jean-Claude said.
    The dark lady twirled around, black hair like a veil behind her. “I don’t think so.”
    â€œYasmeen.” The one word was low and dark with warning.
    Yasmeen laughed, a harsh sound like breaking glass. She stopped directly in front of me, blocking my view of Jean-Claude. Her hand stretched towards me, and I stepped back, out of reach.
    She smiled wide enough to show fangs and reached for me again. I stepped back, and she was suddenly on me, faster than I could blink, faster than I could breathe. Her hand gripped my hair, bending my neck backwards. Her fingertips brushed my skull. Her other hand held my chin, fingers digging in like fleshy metal. My face was immobile between her hands, trapped. Short of taking my gun out and shooting her, there was nothing I could do. And if her movement was any clue, I’d never get the gun out in time.
    â€œI see why you like her. So pretty, so delicate.” She half-turned towards Jean-Claude, nearly giving me her back, but still holding my head immobile.
    â€œI never thought you’d take in a human.” She made it sound like I was a stray puppy.
    Yasmeen turned back to me. I pressed my 9mm into her chest. No matter how fast she was, she would be hurt if I wanted it. I can feel how old a vampire is inside my head. It’s part natural ability, and part practice. Yasmeen was old, older than Jean-Claude. I was betting she was over five hundred. If she had been the new dead, high-tech ammo at point-blank range would have shredded her heart, killed her. But over five hundred and a master vampire, it might not kill her. Or then again, it might.
    Something flickered over her face: surprise, and maybe just a touch of fear. Her body was statue-still. If she was breathing, I couldn’t tell.
    My voice sounded strained from the angle she held my neck, but the words were clear. “Very slowly, take your hands away from my face. Put both hands on top of your head and lace your fingers together.”
    â€œJean-Claude, call off your human.”
    â€œI’d do what she says, Yasmeen.” His voice was pleased. “How many vampires have you killed now, Anita?”
    â€œEighteen.”
    Yasmeen’s eyes widened just a bit. “I don’t believe you.”
    â€œBelieve this, bitch: I’ll pull this trigger and you can kiss your heart good-bye.”
    â€œBullets cannot harm me.”
    â€œSilver-plated can. Move off me, now!”
    Yasmeen’s hands slid away from my hair and