Dreaming Of A Blood Red Christmas (Kindred, Book 8.1) by Nicola Claire Read Free Book Online Page B

quite worked it out, the Blood-Kin Pact is a sacred Bond, one based on the strength of its ties."
    How does she know this?
    "If the ties that hold the blood-family together are forced, then the pact is considered contrived, unnatural. Prone to cracks and fissures in its make-up. Such a Blood-Kin Pact is weak and easily destroyed. You, my dear blood-sister-in-law, have just cut a great big fucking hole down the centre of yours. So, congratulations. The Pact is void."
    "How so?" Petra demands, making me realise Lucinda has released the glaze, allowing Petra her last moments of defence under her own cognitive abilities. " Who are you to rule in such a way? You aren't even vampyre!"
    Nosferatin Light blazes bright and clear for a split second. A warning. A show of prowess.
    "I am the Prophesied of the Iunctio, vampyre!" Lucinda says in a cold, hard, level voice. All the more striking in its total lack of volume and emotion. "And this ruling has been seconded by two of my fellow Councillors, and as such, cannot be reversed."
    Who?
    "Who are these other Councillors who come between me and my blood-brother?" Petra demands.
    I feel Lucinda's smile, her wicked sense of elation at having beaten an opponent in the political arena. She has come such a long way, how can I not be proud?
    "The Ambrosia, " she says, and I must admit that makes complete sense.
    Of course the ancient and extremely knowledgeable vampyre would seek out my kindred and set things in motion behind my back. But who is the second?
    "And just a little advice, woman to woman," Lucinda adds, and that damn smile is spreading my lips again. "If you're looking for a spy within the Iunctio, don't chose one I have washed in my Light."
    "The Diviner," Petra says with utter incredulity, and I am as incredulous as she. The Diviner? He despises me, and has continually tried to undermine Lucinda.
    Well, he did before she washed him in her Light. Has my wife been establishing a friendly relationship with the over opinionated vampyre on the sly?
    Everything I know I have learnt from you , she says in my mind, and this time I burst out laughing.
    "So, what now?" Petra spits.
    "Now you leave New Zealand, your welcome is outstayed."
    "This is the Iunctio, it is available to all vampyre."
    "Unless they break an Iunctio rule," Lucinda casually replies. "Or," she adds, looking down at her nails absently, as though bored with the whole affair, "they piss a Councillor off so much she calls in her marks and has your name blacklisted on the network."
    "You bitch!" Petra exclaims, hurling herself at the silver bars and suffering for her efforts.
    "Vampyre!" Lucinda says loudly, stepping up to the bars, well within reaching distance should an enterprising, or slightly insane, vampyre attempt to slip a hand between the rungs.
    Get back, I will her mentally, only to receive a, Trust me, in reply.
    "Your choice," Lucinda continues, keeping Petra in her line of sight. "Leave of your own volition and never come back, and your name will be removed from the Iunctio blacklist. Fight me on this, and you will see why I am called the Prophesied."
    Petra stares at her for so long, I wonder if the woman has finally lost all hold on reality. Then with a sneer she says, "You have proven more of a problem than I thought."
    I do not like that tone, that look on her face. I have seen it before. Three and half centuries ago when she attempted to sever my neck.
    "Lucinda!" I cry out aloud, but she will have heard my voice through the Bond.
    The Vampyres with me snarl at the Sanguis Vitam I am expending, responding to the power and my shout in equal measure. Amisi just offers a sigh, and with one last flick of her hand above the keypad, the light changes from red to green and a short series of beeps follow.
    The door clicks open, just as Petra reaches through the bars in vampyre swiftness, using the distraction of the cell door moving to catch my kindred unawares.
    I am through the entrance and beside Lucinda in