Microsoft Word - Betrayal-Ashlynn_Monroe.doc by Dawn Read Free Book Online

the words in English.
    "Vile demon, killer of innocence, burn in hell for your crimes. I call the elements to end you. I cast out all the evil you've done to restore a balance to the great mother of us all. Nature, hear my call and see it done. Blessed be."

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    Betrayal Ashlynn
    Monroe

    Dyanna caught her friend as she fell back, overcome from expelling so much energy on a single spell.
    Darius stepped forward. He hadn't fallen down dead as they'd assumed he would. Bettia rested helplessly in Dy's arms. They hadn't expected that either. Dyanna's knife stayed sheathed. She had a choice—take the vamp out or hold onto Bettia. She couldn't let her friend just fall. She had to bleed the evil vampire; it was the backup plan. She felt caught in a comedy of errors, only this wasn't very funny. He stalked toward her. She tried to get her knife while holding Bettia. Darius flicked his wrist and her knife sailed away out of reach. She'd die now, a year too late.
    "Wake up, please, B, wake up so you can get out of here." She shook the drained witch, praying God would hear one last plea from her unholy self. "Please God, save my friend."
    Guards, angry vampires, burst through the door. She dragged Bettia to the corner using her supernatural speed and took a stand. The burst of exertion hadn't been good.
    She was fighting much older vampires who were considerably stronger—she knew she would be an easy kill.
    She'd take out as many as she could before they got to her fallen companion. Darius tried to talk, but his face was so damaged his angry words came out unintelligible. He pointed and shouted. She snarled at her attackers,

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    Betrayal Ashlynn
    Monroe

    unleashing her inner monster on them. Slashing out, she caught the first one's chest, ripping the leather vest right down to his cold skin and leaving it in bloody ribbons of carnage. The others growled and she hissed at them. Darius was still trying to order her killed. One lashed out. His blow struck her hard, and she flew across the room. A moment later she was back in place, protecting the unconscious mortal again.
    A commotion toward the back distracted her just a moment. Her mind wouldn't focus as it had as a human, and the distraction cost her. Pain radiated through her midsection as one of the powerful men clawed her, opening her stomach. Dyanna cried out. Vampires bleed like they have anemia; it was the surest way to kill them. Holy water, crosses, garlic, all myths, but bleeding, that was truth. The wound was fatal; she knew it. Stumbling, she fell down next to her friend, and she used her body to shield the unaware human. It was the last thing she could do for her friend, so she did it. Before her eyes fluttered closed, she looked up to see what had distracted here. Anthony and about a dozen other vampires fought the guards. I guess there's trouble in paradise, Darius. Your family doesn't love you anymore. A small bitter smile touched her lips before she gave in and let herself finally die.

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    Betrayal Ashlynn
    Monroe

    * * * *

    Darius's Private Party Room

    Some in the clan didn't relish regular demands for brutality. Now that Anthony realized they could drink bagged blood and didn't need the leader's talent at controlling the slaves, they could be free. Once he'd whispered the truth to those he knew would prefer freedom, word had traveled quickly among the clan. He waited until he saw the women go into Darius's private room. A year ago, he'd killed his wife out of fear at the bastard's command. He hoped Dyanna and her friend would repay the favor to the bastard. Jumping down from the stage, he wiped his bloody hands on his pants. He gathered a few of the other dissidents, and when they learned a witch had a plan to kill their deranged sire, they joined him in the attack. He led the dozen or so vampires into the room. Clan members kept joining them and he felt something he hadn't experienced in a long time—hope. More vampires than he'd suspected hated their