Lover's Betrayal: Misfits of the Lore Series by J.E. Hopkins Read Free Book Online

least the seventh murder of this kind within the last three weeks.”
    “You believe it’s a vampire attack?” Olivia questioned. Julian nodded in response and the look on his face made it clear who he felt was the guilty vampire. “You think Kaden is responsible?”
    “I know he’s responsible. This is the kind of thing he does. He has no regard for anyone or anything. I have seen him kill with ease. No conscience and no guilt. Kaden is a cold-blooded murderer.”
    Olivia tensed up at those words. She knew Kaden was no angel, but a murderer of innocent women was not something she could belief without definitive proof. “What evidence is there linking Kaden to these crimes? He’s not the only vampire out there, and there are plenty among us who are so disturbed that committing murder would be the normal course for them.”
    “Kaden is one of those disturbed vampires. It’s no surprise that you would defend him no matter what he does or who he destroys. I don’t know why I expected any different from you. Since when has my word alone ever been good enough for you?” Julian growled.
    Olivia could sense Julian’s temper coming to life. She did not want to inflame him, but she had to find out everything in order to know if Kaden was truly guilty. “Julian, don’t do this. You’re accusing your brother of such a heinous act. I have to be absolutely sure of his guilt. What if you’re wrong? What if he’s being set up? Have you talked to him about this? Has he confessed his guilt? I just want to understand how you reached the point of determining his guilt.”
    Julian knew Olivia was being reasonable, but he so desperately wanted her to be on his side. Just for once, he wanted her to choose him over Kaden -- believe in him rather than defend his miscreant brother. Arguing with her would never sway her. Chances were she would never be on his side, but yelling at her guaranteed she would defend Kaden once again.
    “Kaden denied this, of course, but I wasn’t expecting him to confess. He didn’t even seem to care about any of this. You would think he would care, since I have been able to link several of these women to him and give me enough time and I will prove that all of them knew him. He slept with and fed from every last one of them and then suddenly they’re dead from a vampire attack. Also, the attacks happened in places where Kaden had been known to visit. The murders are following him, from Las Vegas to New Orleans to New York. Most of the murders have taken place here right after Kaden dropped in to grace me with his presence. All the vampires I know here have lived in this area for years and would not commit such crimes. This is a sudden crime spree that arrived when Kaden did and follows him wherever he goes.” Julian tried to maintain his composure, but he could not help but lash out at his mother again. “Don’t you think that is a bit too coincidental -- or are you too blinded by your adoration for Kaden to see what a monster he has become?”
    Olivia walked over to the window and stared at the bright sun. The outside looked so much less intimidating in the light, but the aura of danger still lurked within these gates. Could Kaden be this killer, or was there another explanation? She knew it was possible and the evidence supported his guilt, but in her heart she knew he was innocent. She could not explain the instinct that was so strong within her, but she knew her son did not commit these crimes. She would have to find a way to convince everyone else before it was too late.
    “Mother, have I given you enough proof?”
    Olivia faced Julian. His eyes were pleading with her to agree. As much as she wanted to give him this moment of pleasure by supporting him, she could not do so if it meant the condemnation of her innocent son. “There’s definitely evidence pointing to Kaden’s guilt. I understand why you believe he’s guilty, but I’m not going to convict him just yet. I have been alive a