Mira by Leighann Phoenix Read Free Book Online Page A

young man standing against the back wall stepped forward.   “If there is another way,” Liam ap Arnauk growled, “shouldn’t that have been decided before we sent in the new sacrifice?   And if there isn’t another way , then we’ve sent a girl to her death for no reason.   If we’re going to be rid of the vampire, then we should have come to that decision weeks ago.”
                “Enough Liam.”   An old man said.   He was one of the few assembled who was sitting.   The mere movement stilled the commotion that had resulted from the controversial conversation.   “ Rillan ap Tiernay was created to be our guardian.   Should the legends left by those who actually saw and spoke to him be true, then it can be believed that he would take his own life to protect us should the situation demand it.   While I am hesitant to think that it has come to such an extreme, the possibility should be considered.   Though I would urge that if his extermination is to be considered, he be involved in the meeting which should determine that.   And more importantly, it needs to be established that the option is necessary.   Must I remind you all that once he is gone there can be no other?   That information has long since been destroyed.” The other elders shifted uncomfortably, knowing that he was lying for the sake of the young men and women attending this meeting. “And the decision to create him was a long and difficult one.   A life is not something to be manipulated lightly.   This must be a unanimous decision.”
                Lilith nodded.   “Thank you Caleb.   Your words are always thought provoking.   It has been a long time since direct contact with Lord Tiernay has been considered.   Eva?”   A middle aged woman with long brown braids stood forward.   “Make arrangements for a meeting to be held with Lord Tiernay, should it be deemed necessary.   For now, I believe we all need to wait for our contact to return.   It doesn’t need to be said, so forgive the reminder.   All things said here must remain here.”   At least if Darius is spying on us and working for the empire, he won’t like the information he would have gleaned from this meeting , Lilith thought.   She didn’t like lying to her own people .
                With a series of nods , a majority of the assemblage filtered out of the room, leaving only a handful of gray and white haired men and women behind.   The elders remained in conference for most of the evening, coming to no more conclusive decisions than had been gleaned in the afternoon debate.
               
                Black spun and swayed drunkenly in Mira’s head, as she woke.   She groaned, feeling the nausea and dizziness twist her stomach.   When she opened her eyes, she found herself in complete darkness.   The fire had gone out in the hearth.   How long have I been asleep, she wondered.
                At first she didn’t remember where she was.   The bed was warm and the bedding was silky.   This isn’t my bed, is it?   Suddenly her stomach heaved.   When she tried to lean over the edge of the bed to vomit, her muscles didn’t want her to obey the urgent command.   As she began to retch, she found the strength to turn over just in time to lose the bile in her stomach down the side of the silky bed sheets and all over the floor.
                Mira groaned as she continued to convulse and nothing came out.   The bile she lost smelled foul, and tears came to her eyes, as pain joined the weakness in her muscles all over her body.   She had never felt so sick in her life.   Her head screamed its upset at her for having moved at all, searing down her neck and shoulders and back to mingle with the sore tired pain that started in her legs and moved up her chest.
                With more effort than it should have taken, she managed to work herself onto her back at an angle in