In the Beginning... by Calle J. Brookes Read Free Book Online

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six-hundred-year-old vampire, then you should stay with him."
    "But you're leaving, and probably Mal and
Josey, too."
    "I told him I wasn't leaving without all of
you. I never counted on you wanting to stay."
    "I do."
    "Then you will and we’ll make it work. But
first, you'll have to tell Theo how you feel. I think it will make
him happy."
    "I hope. He's been alone for over six hundred
years, waiting for me, Em. For me. I can't just walk away from
that, from him, and leave him alone like that again."
     
    ****
     
    Emily left Mickey in the sitting room,
needing to think. Even though she'd learned so much about the
Dardaptoans, the idea that they could live close to two thousand
years or more was unfathomable to her. She also couldn't imagine
being without someone special for six hundred years. Yet Rydere was
letting her go? She settled on a small bench and watched the sun as
it started to set. If she was destined for someone and was lucky
enough to find that person, she'd grab on and hold tight with
everything she had.
    So why was he letting her go? Had he realized
he'd made a mistake? Did he...not want her anymore?
    Why didn’t that thought make her happy?
    She’d studied him for the last week. She’d
sat in his office most evenings while he dealt with the small
concerns that running such a hotel consisted of, even offering her
opinion on situations the several times he’d solicited it.
    His job was no different than her position of
head of Taniss. He just had many more people depending on him. And
he shouldered his responsibilities well.
    He was a fair leader, reasonable in his
requests and equitable in his dealings with his people. He was
available when they needed him and he cared for them a great deal.
And he’d ruled them for over four hundred years, always alone
except for his three advisors.
    TI supported a world-wide staff of six
thousand people so she had some inkling of his responsibility. Yet,
Rydere’s leadership went so much deeper than mere employer. He was
their king.
    According to his own admission, he’d waited
six hundred years for her, but now he was sending her home because
she wasn’t happy with him. Why would he care?
    Emily needed to know the answer to that. She
stalked around the garden, pausing when she saw Josey on the far
side. Josey tossed a toy for Free to chase, though her cousin’s
demeanor was tense. Josey wasn’t happy, that was clear. Emily
started toward her.
    She didn’t make it. Free started barking
wildly as half a dozen dark shapes came out of the shadowed grove
and encircled Josey, issuing deep growls that the blonde
couldn’t hear.
    The closest shape sprang, knocking Josey to
the ground. Both Josey and Emily screamed, but Emily was too far
away to help. Free attacked, but the little Border collie stood no
chance against the larger wolves.
    The wolves ignored the dog, shaking her off
with almost human movements, staring at Emily as she continued
screaming Rydere’s name. Screaming for help.
    One was behind her as she turned and ran; she
could feel its hatred, feel it’s breath as it burned against her
skin. So close.
    She tripped, slamming hard to the path.
Gravel bit into her skin, mud soaked her white tunic. The beast
behind her pounced, his teeth inches from her neck, his weight
pinning her. She grabbed for a stick inches from her on the path;
she swung, but it jerked the branch out of her hand with its
teeth.
    She fought, certain she was going to die,
ripped to shreds by some beast her mind refused to identify.
    She screamed; the word on her breath his
name.
    Then it was gone, and she heard a voice
yelling her name; yelling at her to run, to get inside and get
help.
    She stumbled to her feet as Rydere attacked
the first of the beasts surrounding her. He slashed with his knife,
doing more damage than she’d have expected. Another man passed her
with a keening cry, a warrior yell of both anger and despair, as
she neared the doors. Cormac.
    Hands pulled her inside