Holding on to Hope by Sid Love Read Free Book Online Page A

bitch!” Ronan muttered under his breath. “He’s got other vampires on guard.” Leslie guessed the dhampirs hadn’t expected there to be more vampires.
    The blue radiant light of the torch thrown at the vampires must have irritated one of them because the vampire on Kol’s back looked up and bared his fangs at them, making a catlike hissing sound. The hideous pale face, red eyes, and sharp teeth freaked Leslie out, and she jumped. What happened next was more ghastly, though.
    Since the vampire was distracted, Kol grabbed that opportunity to counterattack. Ian hadn’t been lying when he’d said that dhampirs were very powerful. Leslie watched in horror as Kol caught hold of the vampire’s neck somehow and flipped him over like he weighed nothing. The vamp was soon pinned down on the floor, limiting his area of movement. Kol twisted the vampire’s neck in a weird position and made him go still within seconds. He didn’t stop at that, though. Leslie’s eyes couldn’t follow his preternaturally fast movements, but she could make out that he had retrieved some kind of wooden stick—it was probably a stake, but she couldn’t be so sure—and plunged it right through his chest. Blood was sprayed all over Kol’s black leather jacket, and he had to even wipe some of it off his face.
    Leslie was about to let out a scream, totally appalled by the scene in front of her. However, Ronan put his hand over her mouth, and all that came out of her was a muffled gasp.
    “Shh… it’s okay. It’s over,” he whispered, near her ears. The oxygen in the room felt inadequate, and she panted heavily like a dying person. Her eyes refrained from blinking, and soon they were filled with tears threatening to fall. It affected her to see someone getting killed so brutally, even though the man was technically already dead. And probably, he deserved such a death too.
    She watched as Kol robotically stood up and went to help Bo.
    “Come on,” Ronan demanded, removing his hand from over her mouth. “I think Brad is upstairs. We should get going.”
    Leslie felt the push on her back, but she was too stunned to move. Ian had to put his hand around her shoulder and guide her to the staircase. However, she kept turning back to look at the fight Bo and Kol were still engaged in. The only vamp in that space was obviously outnumbered, yet he wouldn’t give up. Leslie thought he must have been pretty strong to still be standing against the two heavily built men. She kept looking, until she could see no more and found herself on the upper floor.
    A voice was heard, and the two men walking beside her exchanged wary looks. Ronan took off without uttering a word. Ian made a hand gesture for her to follow and sprinted behind Ronan, holding Leslie by her hand.
    All three of them reached an empty room that was dimly lit and had a few candles burning. “Brad!” Leslie gasped, finding her blond friend lying on the wooden floor like a cold corpse. At that moment, she actually thought he was dead because the gray-haired vampire was feeding off him and yet Brad didn’t move an inch. When the old man looked up, he had blood dripping from the corner of his lips, and Leslie felt the need to cry, witnessing what he had done to her friend.
    A ghastly paleness had spread over Brad’s face, and his eyes were wide-open, staring right up at the wall. Leslie concluded that Ronan’s father must have compelled him into keeping his body still while he fed.
    “Ronan!” An evil grin spread on the vampire’s face. “I was hoping I wouldn’t see you so soon.” He briefly glanced at Brad before telling his son, “Your boyfriend and I were just talking about you earlier. I must tell you, son, this young man has such good manners. I am quite impressed by your choice.” Leslie watched as the old man used his thumb to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth and then sucked on it. “He is delectable.”
    “Stay away from him, Volund,” Ronan threatened,