In the Dark by Jen Colly Read Free Book Online

confidence bordered on arrogance. Then again, that was part of what made him great.
    Moving through the large foyer lined with white columns, Soren made his way to the next room. More often than not, Navarre could be found in his personal library. The walls on the left side of the room were lined with inset shelves holding hundreds of books, caged in by doors decorated with a golden crosshatch design. A desk and study table stood in the midst of the books, currently unused.
    â€œSoren,” Navarre greeted him then dropped his gaze to his work, his overly long hair falling forward.
    â€œMy lord,” he replied, stepping into the library.
    â€œWhat is it today? Rats in the wine cellar, problem with a student, or have you come for a game of chess?”
    Navarre sat as usual beside the fireplace with a book in hand. It would never be leisurely reading, but something of vampire history. His friend was always studying his own people. Once, he’d caught Navarre searching for any loopholes in their judicial system. Even now, his lord remained glued to the oversized book.
    â€œI fear this is a great deal more serious than rats.” Soren sat in the chair opposite and waited for him to finish reading.
    Navarre looked up at him, brows knitted in thought, then put the book aside. “You don’t look well. Go above, find a soft woman to sink your teeth into,” he suggested firmly.
    â€œThat was the plan. But I encountered a bit of…difficulty.”
    â€œDifficulty?” Concern stretched across his features. “That is not a word that should be in your vocabulary, Soren.”
    â€œI wish very much that it wasn’t.” He rubbed the back of his neck and sucked in a deep breath. “I found two demons attacking a woman in the streets of Paris.”
    Navarre simply sat in the same relaxed pose. Slouched, his knees spread and elbows on the arms of the royal blue chair, he remained still.
    â€œAnother attacked me as I made my way back. Three total,” Soren said.
    Still Navarre did not move.
    After a long moment, he finally spoke. “What does Gustav say?”
    Soren hadn’t mentioned to anyone that he still spoke to Gustav. How much his lord knew about his city, his people, and the world above continued to amaze him. “Gustav hasn’t seen any demons in a full decade. He didn’t take their presence well. Needless to say, they are very dead.”
    â€œAlert the Guardians and have several scouts sent to Paris.” His lord set aside his book.
    â€œI’ll find Captain Savard immediately,” Soren said as he stood.
    â€œThe council will meet in one hour, and you will be there,” Navarre said, leaving him able to do nothing but nod.
    Walking to the door, he forced his footsteps into a normal, even pace. He didn’t like this urgency he felt. The threat of demons must be setting him on edge. That, or Faith. He feared for her safety, but there was no reason to, not here. Yet he could not deny that he did.
    Closing the door to Navarre’s rooms behind him, he looked down the hall. Bareth lounged on the pew. Alone.
    â€œWhere is she?” he asked, frantically looking around.
    Bareth shrugged. “Running.”
    â€œAnd you didn’t stop her?”
    â€œThat’s Steffen’s job.” He stood, stretching his arms over his head.
    â€œYou lazy, good-for-nothing…”
    Soren sprinted down the hall, following the only path she would know to take.

Chapter 5
    A shout rang out behind her, and her heart lurched but she didn’t turn. Soren chased after her. He would catch her, without a doubt. She had no illusions of outrunning him, but resisting the impulse to fight for her freedom had been impossible.
    Soren’s thick arm caught her high around her waist, jolting her to a halt. He spun her around to face him. The anger seething from him gave her the urge to bolt, but he’d trapped her, and she wasn’t going