Four Centuries (Damned and Cursed Book 7) by Glenn Bullion Read Free Book Online Page A

the mortal shouted.   Victoria preferred lady to ma'am .   "Turn around right now, and walk away."
    "I tried to stop her," Kate said, standing in the doorway.
    "She did," Victoria said.   "So, don't get mad at her.   Who's in charge?   I just want to talk."
    The mortal leaned closed to the vampire.   His voice was low, but Victoria heard clearly.
    "Consider this an audition."
    The vampire stalked forward, a smile on his face.
    Victoria sighed.   She was getting tired of beating people up.
    "Talk," she said, her sarcasm obvious.   "With words.   C'mon.   We can accomplish so much more by talking."
    The vampire said nothing.   He clenched his fists in an attempt to be imposing.   Victoria lowered her head in an attempt to hide laughter.   She didn't know how old he was, but he didn't move like a newborn, like Thomas Sanders.   They were both aware they were vampires, but the toddler moving toward her insisted on using his fists.
    "Kate, go back in the lobby.   Shut the door."
    Kate didn't need to be told twice.
    Victoria tried one more stab at diplomacy.
    "Let's not do this," she said.   "We both know fights between our kind can get messy.   Look, I'm Victoria.   What's your name?"
    The vampire said nothing, with the mortal watching intently.
    "Stop with the silent, brooding crap.   It doesn't help you.   Listen to me—"
    He drew into striking range, still saying nothing.   His right shoulder twitched, and there might as well have been a huge blinking light, telling Victoria when to move.   She ducked the punch easily.
    A punch.   She smiled while dodging to the side.   A vampire punching a human could go a long way.   A vampire balling up a fist at any other supernatural creature was just plain silly.
    They had more effective weapons.
    "Last warning—"
    Another punch.   Another miss.
    Victoria dropped low and raked a claw across his knee.   Then his thigh, ripping through jeans and flesh.   Her other hand went down his torso, starting at the top of his chest down to his stomach.   He grimaced, showing surprising control of his pain, and tried to bring his fists down on her.   She nimbly rolled behind him and raked across his calf, working her way up with blinding speed.   The back and shoulders, and when he finally fell to his knees, the back of his neck.
    "Stop!" the mortal shouted.   He ran toward them, waving his hands frantically.   "For fuck's sake, stop!"
    Victoria stood over the quivering vampire, who lay in a growing pool of his own blood.   She didn't leave any damage a delicious drink wouldn't cure, except maybe psychological.   He took slow, deep breaths.   His eyes were wide as he felt the various wounds all over him.
    "Ahhh, son of a bitch," the mortal complained.   "This is brand new carpet."
    She glanced at the spots of crimson on the walls, dripping slow streaks, but decided to say nothing.   She also ruined another nice shirt, but her pants made it through unscathed.
    "Just…who the hell are you?" he asked.
    "I'm Victoria.   I actually said that, before your friend took a swing at me.   Are you ready to talk now?"
    "Yes."   His patience was barely under control.   He looked at the vampire on the floor.   "Back in my office, that tiny fridge in the corner.   It's full.   Knock yourself out."
    The wounded creature of the night pulled himself to his feet and limped away.   Blood continued to drip on the brand new carpet.   The human waited until they were alone before speaking.
    "I'm Frank.   Now that that's out of the way.   What do you want?   I wasn't telling my people to feed you lies.   We really have nothing scheduled for the night.   And busting up my place isn't the best way to get an appointment."
    "An appointment for what?   What is this place?"
    "If you don't know what we are, then what are you…?"   Understanding flashed through his eyes.   "Ah.   You've heard about us from someone else.   I knew you'd show up eventually."
    She raised an