Prophecy of the Undead by Fiona McGier Read Free Book Online Page A

same room with her. However, there were details he needed to find out before he could pursue the relationship he wanted to have with her. He needed to know she was safe but he also needed to know why she was a target. Her casually dropping the information about a Central American drug cartel was propitious. Especially since he was aware of the recent arrival in town of someone he had known for many years. So, he headed directly for the destination he was sent by text message.
    The hotel was not far from his penthouse. It was in a very expensive part of town and too brightly-lit for him to simply fly up to the proper balcony. So, he landed a block away in an alley, then dusted himself off and looked around. There was only one other person in the alley—an old man in shabby clothing who muttered to himself as he drank from a bottle in a paper bag.
    How cliché. Yuri smiled to himself as he approached the unwitting donor. Smoothly he eased himself into position behind the man who was unaware that anything was happening until the fangs punctured his neck. His mind was flooded with images of happier times in his life, of family moments, of memories he enjoyed.
    Yuri only took a pint or so, to ensure he would have the strength he needed to deal with the formidably old vampire he was to meet with. Then he left the old man lying in the alley, snoring with a smile on his face.
    Yuri strolled casually up to the front door of the expensive hotel. He smiled at the doorman who let him into the lobby. He went over to the main reception desk to give the name of the person he came to see.
    The impeccably-dressed receptionist barely acknowledged his arrival until he cleared his throat audibly.
    “Excuse me; I’m here to visit Casimiro Pavlenko. Can you tell me which room he is in?”
    The man, who looked to be barely old enough to have a drink, sneered at him after consulting his computer screen.
    “I’m sorry, sir. There isn’t anyone with that name in our hotel.”
    Yuri leaned closer, smiling as the young man recoiled in surprise.
    “Oh, he’s here. You just need some help to remember...”
    Yuri touched the back of the young man’s hand and felt gently in his mind for the information. He knew Casimiro would’ve placed it in a hidden area so that only those who knew what to look for would be able to find him. Just as he suspected, the image of the young man on his knees using his mouth to pleasure Casimiro was directly in front of the room number of his suite.
    Yuri let go of the man’s hand. The receptionist shook his head, his curls bouncing as his eyes came back into focus. Not knowing or caring if the sexual image was real or planted, Yuri smiled warmly at the young mortal.
    “Thank-you for your cooperation.”
    The man nodded, “You’re very welcome, sir. Please tell the Count that if there is anything at all that he needs, he only has to ask.” The man’s face quickly slid back into its mask of studied indifference. Yuri knew that he had once again forgotten all about the mysterious resident in the penthouse suite.
    Yuri strode quickly to the elevator. It glided smoothly up to the top of the building. When the door opened, there was a mortal armed guard standing in front of him. The man stared solemnly at Yuri.
    “Please wait while I send him your image,” he said and then closed his eyes. He was quiet for a moment, then nodded as if he heard a response, before he opened his eyes.
    “You are expected, Yuri Kozakov. Please go right in.”
    As he entered the suite Yuri took a deep breath in admiration at the opulent splendor of the surroundings. The man he came to see was seated by the window, simultaneously watching a television set to a news channel with the sound turned down and manipulating the touch pad on his laptop to browse various sites.
    “Come in, my dear Yuri. It has been too long.”
    “Casimiro Pavlenko. Don’t get up...no, really. There is no need for such formalities between us, is there, old