Crimson Moon by Carol Lynne Read Free Book Online Page A

staircase down to the vault.
    “You mean you don’t know?” Ramiro was confused. He’d thought Neo knew everything about the Blessed Creatures.
    “Know what?”
    “Ian was the first. Without him, we would be the soulless creatures you see in movies. It’s the reason I’ve dedicated my life to ensuring his safety.” Ramiro knew Neo had never fully accepted his vampire side. “None of us asked to become what we are. If my service to Ian can help protect the souls of my brethren, I’ll do everything in my power to guarantee his welfare.”
    Neo bit his bottom lip. It was obvious to Ramiro that Neo was unaware of Ian’s importance to the vampire creatures other than being their king. “Then I guess we need to find him.”
    “Yes. It’s possible he’ll be used as a bargaining chip at some point. What better way to control a legion of vampires who value their souls?” The outcome, should something happen to Ian, was unthinkable.
    “Are you coming down?” Neo asked from the top of the vault’s staircase.
    “No. I’ve got to meet up with Spiro. I tend to lose all sense of time when I’m in the vault,” Ramiro explained.
    Neo stared at Ramiro for several moments. “Will Gunnar be safe from the sunlight in one of the regular tents? I’m ashamed to admit I forget he’s not were anymore.”
    “I’ve got a tent that’s designed especially for vampires. I’ll make sure he uses it.”
    “Good.” Neo took several steps down. “I’ll see you back here tomorrow evening.”
    Ramiro was surprised. “Are you sure you don’t want me to accompany Spiro back?”
    “He’ll be fine once he leaves Galway. I’ll let you know if I find anything out about Ian. For now, just…enjoy the time you have with Gunnar.” It was easy enough to read Neo’s mind. If something did happen to Ian, Ramiro wouldn’t be the only one to lose his soul. “I could say the same thing to you. Why don’t you ask Michael to join you?”
    “Oh, I plan to,” Neo chuckled.
    Ramiro turned away from the vault’s entrance. He felt like he was standing on the edge of disaster, but what could he possibly do about it other than enjoy the time he had?

Chapter Four
     
     
     
    With the night drawing to a close, Gunnar stood beside Haig. “Keep an eye out for Rafi ,” he told his friend. There was only one road into the pack lands and it divided Gunnar’s newly set-up camp from Haig, Kern and Audric’s .
    Haig nodded. “I heard.” He glanced over his shoulder at Kern and Audric who were busy setting up the protective vampire-grade tent. “How much danger do you think we’re in? The pack has to know we’re here.”
    “Spiro’s trying to finish up the wards around all our campsites. That’ll protect us as long as we stay within the perimeter. As of right now, our jobs are to observe and report back to Neo, nothing more.” Gunnar knew it was harder for Haig to remain calm while being so close to the were who had tortured his sister for centuries, but they still didn’t know what they were up against. “If we’re given the go-ahead to engage, believe me, we won’t leave you out of the fight.”
    “I appreciate that.”
    Spiro appeared with Ramiro at his side. In full protective-mode, Ramiro made Gunnar’s mouth water. Gods, he longed to run his hands over the vampire’s muscled chest. Gunnar’s cock hardened when Ramiro made eye contact. “Finished?” Gunnar asked Spiro.
    “Yes, and just in time.” He gestured at the horizon. “ Sun’ll be up soon.”
    “We need to get you back to your campsite,” Ramiro told Gunnar.
    Gunnar was slowly getting used to the change in his sleeping schedule. It didn’t take long for him to figure out his strength diminished drastically at dawn. He knew Ramiro could go a day or so without sleep, but Ramiro had been a vampire a hell of a lot longer than he had. Gunnar slapped Haig on the shoulder. “Keep your eyes open and log everything you see. I’ll check in with you this