Dracula's Secret by Linda Mercury Read Free Book Online Page B

served Radu well in the past.
    â€œRoger, the Tualatin Mountain Homeless Shelter has integrated. This throws my plans into complete disorder. In less than a day, this priest, Soleil”—the name tasted terrible on his tongue—“has managed to upstage the entire conference. I just got asked if he’d be my vice president! The media has called him the greatest proponent of civil rights since Martin Luther King, Jr. That is my title.” He jabbed his finger into the air, outraged.
    â€œYes, boss.” Roger stood up, ready to get to work. As a man, Roger was built like a tank, broad shoulders tapering down to a firm waist.
    Unthinkingly, Radu smoothed his hand down his own flat stomach, making sure nothing sagged.
    Radu pointed at the were-tiger. “Later this evening, that bastard is going to give a press conference at the Hollywood Theater.”
    Roger growled eagerly under his breath. “I’ll be there.” He was a man of few words. The shape-shifter escaped through the open windows so smoothly that no one even got a photograph of him.
    The so-called priest wouldn’t stand a chance. Only a vampire could beat the were-tiger’s strength.
    Radu knew exactly where all the vampires were. Right now, the three left in the world were in this hotel. Himself, Joe, and the third.... Well.
    Umar, Radu’s were-hawk advisor, escorted in a vampire with a shaved head, layered punk rock shirts, ragged jeans, and stained combat boots. When the door closed behind Umar, leaving them alone, the younger vampire sat and put those horrible shoes on a round table’s pristine tablecloth.
    In the quiet elegance, he looked like a black eye on a beautiful woman.
    â€œWhy have you brought me here, Randall?”
    Radu narrowed his eyes at Anthony O’Neill. His last surviving spawn never failed to rebel. Some nonsense about being Irish. Or French. Or it could be the circumstances of Anthony’s making.
    But Anthony’s past made him valuable. A risky choice but necessary.
    â€œYou know I go by my name again.” Radu waved his hand, avoiding looking at the damaged nail.
    Anthony shook his head. “Something wrong with the old manicure?” he asked, his disdain ripe in the air even though his tone was polite.
    Angry, Radu gathered his powers. Time to remind his rebellious child who was in charge.
    A tiny hole appeared in Anthony’s throat. A pinprick at first, but Radu drilled his determination into the bald man’s flesh. A bead of blood pooled and spilled away from the tear as Radu’s concentrated willpower penetrated like an ice pick into Anthony’s undead body.
    Blood dripped down Anthony’s black T-shirt. As the wound deepened, the drip turned into a fountain, eventually soaking into his ragged jeans.
    For long moments, he kept his eyes locked on Radu, defiant until the puncture reached his spinal cord. A little more pressure to the spine, and Anthony would be beheaded. And finally dead.
    The Irishman closed his green eyes, giving in. Radu smiled. He loved the rush his power gave him.
    Anthony futilely wiped at the mess left of his throat. It would heal in its own sweet time.
    Another reason why Radu loved the Governor? They were so good with cleaning up blood.
    â€œSomeone you know very well will be at the conference. You are to discredit her.” Radu snapped off the order.
    Beaten and dripping gore, Anthony bowed his head. “Anything else?” he asked.
    â€œNo.”
    The Irishman headed toward the door. Even though Radu’s child was under seventy, he moved like an old, old man. The young vampire quietly left the room.
    Radu narrowed his eyes. He was suspicious of Anthony’s quick capitulation. His slippery make never gave in this easily. There had to be a catch.
    He’d find out soon enough what Anthony’s game was. The younger vampire couldn’t keep his master out of his head for any length of time.
    In the most basic