In Darkness We Must Abide by Rhiannon Frater Read Free Book Online Page A

fine. I’m here.” Greg crouched in the corner, elbows resting on his knees, watching with a scarily intense look upon his face.
    “But how is a demon to be trusted?” Angel’s voice was laced with distilled hostility.
    Giving Greg a pointed look, Vanora said, “He wants vengeance. He won’t do anything to derail his chance to see Aeron die.”
    The corner of his mouth twitching, Greg’s eyes glimmered like the coals. “You’re smart, Snow White. You may just pull this off.”
    Vanora rolled her eyes at the nickname.
    “I’ve known Greg for a long time…” Sheila said cautiously. “If he swears on his cock not to molest, harm, or do anything I wouldn’t approve of to you, I’ll rest much easier.”
    Greg snorted.
    “What will swearing on his dick do?” The doubt in Tracy’s words reflected Vanora’s own trepidation.
    “He’s an incubus. Swearing on his cock is like swearing on the…” Sheila hesitated.
    “…Bible,” Greg finished for her. “But only if lying after swearing on the Bible got you struck with a bolt of lightning.”
    “His power is in his…” Sheila flinched, gesturing with one hand toward Greg’s lap, clearly uncomfortable with the continued discussion of the demon’s sexual organ.
    “Powerful penis,” Greg said with obvious glee.
    “Will anything bad happen to you if you swear on it and break your oath?” Vanora concentrated on Greg, attempting to hear his thoughts. All she heard was the buzzing of flies. It was disconcerting.
    “If I break an oath sworn on my own power, I vanquish myself. And that is not something I want to do, trust me. I like being on this plane of existence. A lot. There’s so much fresh pus-”
    “I get it,” Vanora said rapidly, cutting him off.
    Greg grinned, flashing all his teeth.
    …I believe he will protect you…
    Vanora directed her gaze at Alexander and slightly nodded. She actually believed the demon would guard her, but it wouldn’t hurt to have some additional assurances.
    “Do it,” she said to Greg.
    Dramatically rolling his eyes, Greg stood up, placed both hands over his crotch and said, “I swear on my almighty cock that I will protect Vanora against all harm and will not do anything naughty and sexual unless she begs me, too.”
    “Gross,” Tracy muttered.
    Sheila let out a weary sigh while Alexander just looked amused.
    Angel shook his head with disgust. “Vanora, maybe you should wait.”
    “I can’t.” Vanora’s voice was firm. “I have to do this.”
    “What is this exactly?” Tracy asked, gesturing toward the do-it-yourself fire pit. “You’ve been really vague.”
    Rubbing her frozen hands together, Vanora considered whether or not she should answer. How much should she tell anyone? She’d confided a bit to Sheila earlier, but the situation was mired in ancient magic she didn’t even understand. So much had been hidden for so long. Yet, she was certain the answers were tucked within her own soul. That was something Carys probably never anticipated. The magic that had created Vanora had also imbued her with the secrets to her destiny. The temple within her mind had been waiting for her all along.
    “This is a ritual to help me understand exactly what’s happening to me and also to help me unlock my power,” Vanora finally answered.
    “Because you’re a witch?” Tracy sounded and looked skeptical.
    Drawing on the golden power that now burned steadily within her, Vanora directed it to do her bidding. The windows all slammed shut at the same time, startling the vampires. “Yes, because I’m a witch.”
    Clamping her mouth shut and taking a cautious step into the hallway, Tracy gave Vanora a curt nod.
    Angel gave Vanora a proud nod and a slight smile. “Kick ass.”
    “The sun is nearly up. We have to hide now.” Sheila didn’t move from the doorway, but her eyes were filled with warmth and love. “I hope you find the answers you need.”
    Tears rimmed her lashes, but Vanora didn’t shed them.