Nightshine: A Novel of the Kyndred by Lynn Viehl Read Free Book Online

with deep scratches. The big cat yawned and began licking its paw.
    A man’s voice spoke in a strange language, and was answered by a deeper, unearthly tone. Charlotte turned her head and saw two shadows, big and small, looming over a golden-haired giant’s bloodied, unmoving body.
    The big shadow dropped down, lifting the golden head and pressing a goblet of red wine to the giant’s lips. Some of the wine trickled down the sides of his face.
    A third shadow merged with the smaller one, and in English Charlotte heard a woman’s sulky voice ask, “Why does he try again? You know it will only kill the male.”
    “He does as he wishes,” the man snapped. “This one was not on the list anyway.”
    “On the bridge Tacal sensed he was Chosen.” The woman sighed. “He was very good at that.”
    “Not anymore.”
    Charlotte heard a choking sound, and the thud of the giant’s body as it dropped back to the floor.
    “We should keep him here until he dies,” the woman said. “The children will only bury him, and then we will have to dig him back up.”
    “The master says he stays with the female.”
    The woman laughed. “Then perhaps she will save us the trouble and burn him.”
    When Charlie woke the next time, she found herself sitting in a chair. She looked down at the cheetah-patterned drape covering her from her neck to her knees before she glanced at the large mirror in front of her. She was in a beauty salon. Someone had taken her hair out of the braid and put it up in a fancy ’do with strands of golden pearls woven through the elaborate coils. She was also wearing dark red lipstick with a golden sheen, dark purple eye shadow, and enough black eyeliner and mascara to polish a pair of shoes.
    She tried to grab the drape and pull it off, which was when she discovered that she was completely paralyzed.
    In the chair next to hers the giant—no, the Limo Guy . . . Sam, she remembered at last—sat with his eyes closed and his chin tucked against his leopard-patterned drape. The elderly Latina trimming the back of his hair noticed Charlie watching and smiled.
    “Big and virile, isn’t he?” She came around and gently tipped Sam’s head back. “He’s a good match for you.”
    It took Charlie two tries to get the words out of her dry throat. “Where are we?”
    The woman began carefully trimming away the big man’s beard. “You’re safe now, hija .”
    “I’m not your daughter.”
    “I wish you were. I would be so proud to give him a girl child.” She let the golden hair fall onto the shroud until she had cropped his beard close to his skin, and then reached for an electric razor. “Men do such foolish things. Why does he cover such a handsome face?”
    “Who are you?” Charlie demanded. “What are we doing here? Why can’t I move?”
    “So impatient.” The Latina made a clucking sound with her tongue. “All will be explained to you when you wake up.”
    “I’m not asleep.” Everything that had happened on the bridge came rushing back into her head. “I’ve been drugged. I’ve been kidnapped.”
    “You’ve been saved,” the hairdresser insisted. “You should be grateful. You will have a beautiful life with this one. If he lives. I think he will. He is stronger than the others.”
    Charlie wanted to scream. “Lady, I don’t even know that man.”
    The Latina gave her a knowing glance. “You will.”
    Charlie saw the syringe in her hand and heard herself beg. “Please. No more drugs.”
    “This is the last dose, chica . I promise.” The hairdresser stabbed the needle into Charlie’s upper arm.
    The drape rose up and wrapped itself around her head, smothering her into unconsciousness. For a long time she drifted, lost and aimless, until a beautiful warmth surrounded her. While she still couldn’t see anything, she no longer felt as if she were alone.
    What is going to happen to me?
    Be careful what you ask, a deep voice whispered. You may not care for the answers.
    Lines began