Forstaken by Kerri Nelson Read Free Book Online Page A

supernatural powers, but she’s the last of the pure bloodline.   She’s pure – untainted.   That makes her incredibly valuable to just
about every demon on the planet. You see, if she dies, all the vampires die
except for those with pure blood.   That
means her and her uncle, Dagger.”
    Byron knew
Nadia had a past life she couldn’t remember. He knew all about her adoption
from
Russia
to
America
at the
age of ten, after two long years in a less than stellar foster care system. He
knew about her trauma-induced amnesia. He’d even sent her to a hypnotherapist
for help in recalling her memories, but nothing had worked. But the child of
two vampires?
    “How is this even
possible?
    “It’s not
possible, in the real world, but this is not the real world, man.   This is magic.   You should know a thing or two about that,”
Shadee said.
    “So, how does
she exist? If all this is true.” Byron still couldn’t wrap his head around it.
    “It is a once
in an eternity kind of thing. Her identity has remained secret. Most vampires
don’t even believe she exists, but if the mage says it is true, then it is
true. Dagger’s story is that he killed everyone in his bloodline in an attempt
to locate this girl. When his own sister, Nadia’s mother, wouldn’t reveal her
whereabouts, he slew her, too. This is one unconscionable bastard.”
    By this point,
they’d reached the apex of the cliffs. There was a small green patch of flat
land surrounded by vines and what looked like years of overgrowth. But at the
far side of the landing was a small statue built from rocks. It looked like an
angel with blackened wings, and it was facing out toward the ocean as if its
back was turned on all humanity.
    “What is this
place?”
    Shadee turned
and gave Byron a reluctant smile. “This is a shrine build by the first vampire
settlers in
Florida
.
It is in honor of Nadia’s family. This is why the mage lives close by, down
below. It is sacred ground to vampires and others.”
    Byron
contemplated the dire situation before them.
    Shadee said,
“And it’s the location of our last stand. I’m going to kill Dagger, and you can
either help me or get lost.”
    Byron walked
to the edge of the cliff and looked out at the vast sea. It was his home. He
should relinquish his control and go to it. He should turn his back on all this
earthen drama. The demon world. Those were not the battles he was meant to fight.
    He knew this
as surely as he knew he’d never leave Nadia alone to face this awful truth. He
would stand and fight for her life. She might be the Forstaken, but she was
also the only woman he’d ever love.
     
     

Chapter Ten
     
    “Let’s go. Time
to take a little walk.”
    Nadia, still
wearing her cut-off jean shorts and bikini top, exited the warmth of the limo
and was immediately chilled by the ocean’s breeze..
    Her eyes took
in their surroundings, and she briefly considered a run back toward town. But
she knew it was at least five miles back, and from the wild-eyed look on Dagger
she didn’t dare attempt an escape now.
    Maybe if she
went along with his plan, she could find a way to distract him. But then what?
    Reluctantly, she followed him up
the rocky path, toward the vertex. She had a bad feeling about this.
    “Why are we
going here, Dagger? Why do we need to go here for me to learn about our
family?”
    He turned and
smiled, but there was absolutely no mirth behind his smile.
    “Why, this is
a shrine to your beloved parents, and what better place to learn about them? After
all, I’ve been alive for centuries, Nadia. But I’ve only been searching for you
for the last decade, that is, since I learned of your existence.”
    Centuries?
    “Your parents
were quite clever at keeping you a secret.”
    Nadia stopped
walking.
    Dagger
continued on for a few steps, but then noticed her stall.
    “C’mon then. We
must visit the shrine. Then I can show you all about your purpose in life. Tell
you about your reason for