Riding the Storm by Candace Blevins Read Free Book Online Page A

honesty, bravery, and a zest for life — all
three of which Kendra seemed to have in spades.
     
    * * * *
     
    Abbott smiled. Eric had gone straight to worrying about how
this affected Kendra instead of how it might affect Eric. Abbott liked this
man.
    “I am Master of this territory, and Kendra is my third in
command,” Abbott told him with a smile. “She’s also my friend, but even if she
weren’t, I’m not in the habit of forcing the vampires in my territory to do
things they do not wish. I have rules I require my people follow, but they’re
rules Kendra lives by anyway. Things like not killing humans, not kidnapping
humans for use as companions, not turning a human into a vampire unless it’s
their decision, and bringing humans to me for extra counseling so we can all be
sure of their decision before they’re turned. There are some vampires who
choose not to live in my territory because they don’t like my rules, which is
fine by me.”
    “So, being her Vampire Master doesn’t mean being her... Master ?”
    “Yes, it does, though in our case, not in the sexual manner
you’re implying, and I rarely pull rank on her. If it becomes necessary, I won’
t hesitate, but she and I are in agreement on most everything, and we respect
each other enough we can work around the things we don’t agree on. However,
while we’re on the subject, this is another part of Vampire society you need to
understand.”
    Once again, Abbott looked to Kendra before he continued with
his explanation for Eric. She wasn’t using their mind connection to stop him,
but he could sense her trepidation and fear as she worried about Eric’s
reaction.
    Abbott chose his words carefully, determined to do his best
to explain it in a way to keep Eric from freaking out. Kendra hadn’t expressed
interest in someone for decades, and Abbott wanted to see her happy. He’d grown
concerned about her as she’d withdrawn from the human world except for what was
needed to help Abbott with his business interests. She seemed to have grown
bored with living, and he’d seen too many old vampires degenerate from
melancholy to depression to malevolence. Kendra had been feral when he’d found
her, and he’d found the spark of humanity in her, showed her how to live in the
light, even if she could never see the sun again. Now, Eric seemed to be doing
the job this time — he’d awakened her, reminded her life could be fun,
and Abbott would do what he could to keep this human in her life.
    “When humans go into a power exchange relationship,” he told
Eric, “they do so based on preference, the way they’re wired, so to speak.
Someone who’s aroused by submitting looks for someone who enjoys dominating. It
isn’t about who’s stronger, because big, strong men submit to small women all
the time in human society. However, in vampire society, the power exchange
isn’t decided by preference, but by hierarchy. Just as you felt the magical
pull when you tried to write about our secret, it’s impossible for a stronger
vampire to submit in any way to a weaker vampire. It’s possible for them to
have vanilla sex in any form they choose, but if there is to be a power
exchange, their position in our society makes the choices for them.”
    “And Kendra is powerful,” said Eric, thinking aloud, “so
she’s used to being the one in control. But, I’m not powerful, so how is it
that she....” Eric wasn’t sure he should tell the Master Vampire Kendra had
submitted to him, even if it was only for a few kisses. Once again, Abbott was
pleased with Kendra’s choice.
    “You aren’t a magical being, so the rules are different. She
can submit to you if she wants, though you need to understand it’ll cause a bit
of an issue amongst the hierarchy if the other vampires find out. This isn’t to
say you can’t go forward, but I want you to understand what it will mean in our
world.”
    Eric stood. “I need to use the restroom, if you’ll give me a
moment,