Legacy of Blood by J. L. McCoy, Virginia Cantrell Read Free Book Online Page B

shouted fearfully.
    “Brother,” Archer said calmly as he stood in front of Oleif, “I do not believe Skye honestly meant to hurt Hagan.  She knows not the strength she carries.  She would never purposely hurt him.  He has been her mentor for the past month; teaching her to defend herself should the creature Amun ever try to kidnap her again.”
    “That’s right,” I verbally stepped in as I wrung my hands from my place on the couch.  “I respect Hagan immensely and would never hurt him intentionally.  I’m sorry I let my anger get the better of me, but it won’t happen again.”  I felt tears of frustration and fear cloud my eyes. 
    Oleif took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose as he squeezed his eyes shut.  With a frustrated growl, he dropped his hand and met Hagan’s eyes.  “I leave her punishment in your hands, Hagan.  But I grow increasingly weary of her.”
    Hagan glanced back at me and pursed his lips.  I didn’t like the look he was giving me and started to panic.  After a long few seconds, he turned back to Oleif with a smile.  “Would a sparring match please you, brother?”
    Oleif’s eyes grew wide and he scoffed.  “A sparring match between you and her?  She’ll be defeated the moment it starts.”
    “No, brother,” Hagan smiled.  “I was suggesting one between the two of you.  Now, you can’t kill her but you can play with her a bit.  What do you say?”
    “Hagan?” I whispered fearfully.  “What are you doing?  I can’t fight him!”  Oleif had almost a foot on me and he was easily 245 pounds of solid muscle not to mention he was a trained killing machine.
    Oleif smirked again and crossed his arms.  “You mentioned you had been training her.  How much knowledge does she have?  It wouldn’t be any fun if she doesn’t know what she’s doing.”
    Oh,” Hagan chuckled, “she knows what she’s doing.  She has been training in Gráscar Lámh and Scianóireacht .  She can also use a sword or dagger and she formerly trained in Israeli Krav Maga in her human life.  I think you’ll enjoy the fight.”
    A wide smile spread across Oleif’s face and he nodded his head.  “Aye.  A fight is what she’ll get.  Just tell me when and where, brother.”
    “Isn’t anyone going to ask me if I want to do this?” I asked worriedly as I stared at the two soldiers.  “I may be a vampire, but there is no way in hell I’m fighting him.  He’ll kill me for sure and say it was an accident.”
    “That’s not a bad idea,” Oleif laughed.  “I can just tell God you died.”
    I gasped loudly and sank as far into the couch as I could.
    “Oh calm down, Morrison,” Hagan chuckled.  “He’s just kidding.”
    Oleif studied the group of vampires in front of him and then lingered his gaze on Archer.  “I see why most of your children defend the girl.  For some, it’s because they find her interesting, others have grown attached, and one loves her, while the other lusts to have her.  But you… you I can’t figure out.  Why do you defend this girl knowing what is inside of her.  You are their leader and your first priority should be the welfare of your family.  I know you believe the girl is now your child, but surely you wouldn’t protect her at the sake of your other children.  What is her appeal to you?  Is it carnal?  Spiritual?  Is it…”
    He stopped speaking suddenly as his eyes widened and a sneer spread across his lips.  “Oh, I see now.  How… quaint.”
    “Leave it alone, brother,” Hagan said quietly as the group started to disperse.  Archer, I noticed, had yet to move as he continued to face Oleif.  “This is their business.”
    Oleif chuckled as he resumed his seat in the overstuffed chair, his eyes still on Archer. 
    Archer finally turned away from him and went back into the kitchen; he never even looked my way.
    Seamus sat back down beside me and patted me knee encouragingly.  “Ya feelin’ better?”
    I quickly