Out of the Dark (Forbidden Love) by DANIELLE JAMES Read Free Book Online

directly with the preparations for the arrival of the council.  That means preparing the menu, suggesting the wine, overseeing the decoration of the Great Hall, shopping and ordering supplies, things like that.”
         “What council?”
         “The vampire council.  All the leaders from across the globe will be here in less than a week’s time for the monthly meeting.  It is Angel’s turn to host.”
         “I suppose it worked out well with his tour schedule then,” Brea said.
         Sebastian laughed.  “That was the intention.  His tours are scheduled to accommodate the meetings.  He is at a meeting in every town he performs in.  Otherwise, he would not be able to continue his life as a musician.  The responsibilities of a clan leader are vast, and he does a phenomenal job of balancing the two.”
         “Clan leader?”Brea gulped.  A He’s a leader?”
         “Yes.  He is the leader of all the vampires in this region.  Did he not tell you that?”
         “No, it must have slipped his mind.”
         “It is not a position he advertises.  Many people, humans and vampire alike, would see him dead because of his position.  Humans who are ignorant or afraid of vampires see the opportunity to eliminate a powerful being, and take it.  They do not consider the consequences of their actions, nor do they consider the vampire’s people.  We, under his reign, know and love Angel.  But others would kill him to take his throne.  Therefore, we keep his identity secret.  All clan leaders do. I trust you have been informed about our privacy policy?”
         “Yes, I know.  Don’t worry, I have no reason to betray the trust of your people.”  So the famous Angel Knight was a clan leader!  A ruler of other vampires.  His music was a cover for his travels.  How very interesting.
         Sebastian led Brea into the dining hall.  There were several people already present, milling around and talking quietly to each other.  Brea recognized Ricco and Freida and a few from the restaurant.  That was it.  One man approached Brea immediately. 
     
         “Ma ’Lady,” he said, taking her hand, “I am Jacque.”
         “Brea,” she answered, noticing how his eyes seemed to change from a honey color to a golden brown right before her eyes.  His dark hair was cropped short, spiking up at uneven intervals.  He wore a silver ring through his eyebrow and matching rings in his earlobes. 
         “ Enchante , Mademoiselle ,” he cooed in French, kissing the back of Brea’s hand.  “You are as lovely as ever.”
         “Um, thanks,” Brea mumbled.
         “Jacque is part of Angel’s personal security, as well as his drummer,” Sebastian explained.  Brea thought he looked like a drummer. 
         Brea met the others one by one, each of them kissing her hand and slightly bowing to her.  It made her very uncomfortable.  There was Rebel, the guitar player, Gage, the bass player, and Antonio, the rhythm guitar player.  All of them were exceedingly nice, and all of them gave Brea the creeps.  At least, this time, no one asked her if she was on the menu.
         Angel stood just outside the entryway to the dining hall.  He listened to his family introduce themselves to Brea, and to her responses.  Everyone was perfectly polite, perfectly formal, as they were told to be.  Angel smiled.  The young woman seemed to be getting along well.  He wondered what she decided to wear?  Had she chosen one of the items he bought for her?  Or had she worn one of her own? 
         Angel had taken great care in dressing himself that evening.  It was to be the first of hopefully many nights to come.  He wore his black leather pants, a blue silk dress shirt, and his boots.  He tied his long black hair back behind his neck, and had even splashed on the smallest amount of cologne.  It was a fragrance many females seemed to enjoy, and he hoped