Guildhall Guardian: Thamesian #1 (Thamesians) by Aidan Ladsow Read Free Book Online Page A

in my bag, ready to launch my very  own version of the Inquisition on the Thamesian's edifice of secrecy.
    Somehow, he had tricked my memory into forgetting the exact location of the Medieval Quarter, quite a feat when you consider it was not such a big city to begin with. Okay, I just had to retrace my steps back, to push through all this nonsensical stuff of hypnotism and keep calm.
    So, first the bridge, then the mall into the city centre, the fountain, going straight.
    The Cathedral I would not be able to miss, unless Roydon Thamesian really had me brainwashed. Come on, he was no warlock, instinct should be better than persuasion.  The small supermarket, I got round a pub and a Tesco, a flight of stairs, crap again I found myself before the University buildings.
    Damn your vampire psychic tour Roydon, I will find you again.
    I admit it stinged to believe he was so keen on getting rid of me that he had done this. After all it was the humans fleeing from vampires, not the other way around.
    A Subway, a small yard, HSBC bank, I had never seen this part of the city, I was sure.
    It was like being stuck in a fishbowl.  I reluctantly took a look at my map.
    Hum, right, I was directionally challenged.
    I turned right into an unknown street, leading to a park. I sighed.
    And then, above the trees, as I looked up to the other direction, I saw the faraway spire of the Cathedral. Yay!
    Knock, knock Mister Thamesian, guess who is coming for lunch. Hopefully I would not be the main course...
    *
    Five hundred and eighty-four years ago, Roydon Thamesian had experienced a fall then a rise.  Drove by despair and ambition he had sworn his life to become the eternal, faithful protector of rich patrons.
    The Stonehenge dulled the spikes of memories. 
    They had come into town as men from the Court, Lancaster visiting on behalf of young King Henry VI who was only nine at the time.
    Little had he known he was sealing his destiny for ever.
    *
      Here I was again. The Guildhall's wooden door and the intercom. I had some doubts.
    It was almost noon, in broad daylight. Maybe Roydon was not even there, maybe he was napping in his grave. Running toward an encounter with a man I firmly believed was a vampire and not even a weapon. What if he turned mad and decided to drink me until the last drop, what if -ridiculous music blaring at the back of my mind, he realized my blood (gasp)sung to him?
    I just stopped with the nonsense.
    My lust trumped my fear, and I buzzed at the door.
      "Gioia Di Terzi, to see Roydon Thamesian" I said at once.
    The door immediately opened.
    Welcome back into the den. My heart was beating loud and unrhytmically, at the thought of facing Roydon. Nice Gioia, repeating the mistake, hoping to making it good this time.
    Epiphany.
    Not a single thing could keep me away from coming back to Roydon Thamesian.
    Rationalizing as much as I could, talking myself out of it, nothing worked. When came the moment to go to him I just followed the call.
    Uh-oh.  I almost crashed into the old, dignified butler who was standing still as a statue in the lobby, at the bottom of the stairs.
      "Madam''he bowed slightly ''I will show you too Mr Thamesian's office."
    Okay, no turning back.
    *
      "A Miss Gioia Di Terzi, for you, Sir" said butler.
    Roydon nodded.  Couldn't stay away, could you? he thought.  He  smiled.
    Persistent scoundrel.  The Stonehenge made his composure looser than usual.
    Gioia entered, her voluptuous hair carelessly plaited and wearing a brown shirt and black jeans.  He restrained himself from crashing into her.
      "Hello Ms. Di Terzi" he said with a predatory smile.
      "Surprised to see me again?" she asked straigthforwardly.
      "Quite yes."
    She was stubbornly clutching her bag, her blue eyes almost grey again.
      "I have something for you."
    How interesting, she seemed intent on not losing time.  And this new side of her was even more appealing.
      "Do tell"he said.
      ''In fact I have many things in