Finding Her A-Muse-Ment by Rebecca Royce Read Free Book Online

would have said.
    “Hello.” She raised her hand in greeting. “How are you guys? Going to see the hot spring?”
    The woman licked her lips, which was starting to become odd, and the man grinned. Finally, he spoke. “No, we’re looking for an after dinner snack.”
    Isyllus pushed her behind his back. “Not from here you’re not.”
    “Is there food around?” She tried to see around Isyllus but he held her steady. Gone was the soft, gentle lover of earlier, and in his place stood a fierce man she wouldn’t want to mess with. What had happened to set him off this way? All the couple had said was that they were hungry.
    “If you come near her, I’ll rip your head off.”
    “Isyllus.”
    Enough was enough. Maybe he’d come here to work out some kind of anger problem, but she could speak with whomever she liked. Just because they’d had the best sex of her life didn’t mean he now got to control her.
    The pale man walked forward. “Shall we see if you can?”
    He grinned, and her insides turned to jelly. Maybe Isyllus’s instincts were better than hers. Perhaps these two were dangerous.
    “Susan.” Isyllus didn’t look at her. “You’re going to run. As fast as you can until you find Rekkus. If you can’t find him, tell one of the Rowans you’re in trouble. Tell them there’s a feeding problem up here. Don’t argue or question me. Just. Go.”
    Susan had never run for her life before. Yet as she turned and fled, she knew that was exactly what she was doing.
    Isyllus clenched his fists. Those vamps could bite him all they wanted. One of the benefits of being immortal meant he couldn’t die. He assumed that although he looked like a human on the island, his immortality would remain the same here. If not, at least he’d had a good run.
    And Susan would be safe. The Fates would send her a new Muse and…
    The thought fueled him forward. He did not want her to have a new Muse. Ever .
    “We will feed on you and then I will eat you before she can ever call for help.” The female vamp let her large canine teeth become visible for the first time. These two vampires were tricky. They must have seemed like they needed help to be allowed on the island. Still, the Rowans had made a mistake. These vampires didn’t need help. They needed to be put down.
    He rushed the male vampire, knocking him backward, but only just a bit.
    “You’re strong for a human.”
    “I’ve got news for you, blood sucker. I’m not exactly a human.”
    The vamp lunged at him, and they both fell back onto the ground. They managed to get into some kind of wrestling position the likes of which Isyllus had never seen before.  Each time the vamp tried to get a bite of him, Isyllus managed to kick him off or move.
    Minutes passed and they struggled. No one would ever claim that a Muse had been made to be a fighter. Still, he had motivation on his side. If he could give Susan enough time to get help, then at least he’d know she was safe.
    Finally, the vampire overtook him. He leaned back, baring his neck. If the creature wanted to bite, maybe it was time to let him have one. His opponent took the opening and bit down. Isyllus shouted out, the feel of teeth on his neck causing pain to slide through his already worn out body.
    The leech started to suck, but then reared back, screaming. “What are you?”
    Isyllus’s blood dripped down the creature’s face.
    Sitting up on his elbows, Isyllus regarded the creature. “Never claimed to be human.”
    That was when he saw that Rekkus, Cemil, another man he didn’t recognize, and Susan were staring at him from across the clearing. Rekkus had his hands on his hips. “If I’d known all it took to end this argument was to let the fucker bite you; I wouldn’t have rushed here quite so fast.”
    Cemil moved to the side, putting his arm around Susan.
    Damn! How much did she see? How much did she hear?
    Her eyes were huge and one hand covered her throat as if to protect herself.
    “We