Survive the Dawn by Kate Sweeney Read Free Book Online Page B

interest. “Sebastian, we have the usual.”
    He took the last goblet and raised it as he cleared his throat. “Here’s to Dr. Taylor, who will be adored by some and despised by most,” he announced happily.
    Alex raised her eyebrows and glanced at Sebastian, who was glaring down at her old friend.
    “Stop glowering, darling. It’s all in jest,” Gaylen offered with a laugh. He looked at Alex. “I apologize, Dr. Taylor. I adore you.”
    “Thank you, Mr. Prescott. I feel much better,” Alex said dryly. “But I don’t care who despises me as long as Sebastian is safe.”
    Alex took a drink; it must have been a special vintage, the smooth red wine slid down her throat, instantly warming her body. She looked at Gaylen , who took a drink from his goblet. She was shocked when she saw the viscous red liquid on his lips. He licked them clean.
    Sebastian smiled as she took a healthy drink. The warm blood instantly made her heart beat faster. She felt the rush and quelled the urge to drink the entire glass. She set the goblet down and gently wiped her mouth with the napkin. “Very good, Gay.”
    “I thought you’d like it. Now let me present our situation as I see it,” Gaylen said. “To put it bluntly, darling, they’re not amused. I cannot believe you destroyed Leigh. I understand Nicholae is furious.”
    Alex was gently swirling the contents of her glass; she stopped and looked at Gaylen . “Leigh was doing her best to kill me and Sebastian. She already killed Marcus Windham and burned down the research building. What was Sebastian supposed to do?” She then drained the contents of her wineglass.
    Gaylen motioned to Nigel, who refilled the glass. “I’m not accusing Sebastian, Alex. May I call you Alex?” he asked with an affable grin.
    Alex nodded but said nothing as she glanced at Sebastian, who was staring at her goblet, deep in thought.
    “I’m stymied by Leigh, that’s all. She and Sebastian have been together for as long as I’ve known them,” he said. “I knew the elders sent her to America, Sebastian. I was surprised when she left you here in England.”
    Sebastian still stared at the gold goblet. “I was surprised, as well, but you know Leigh, she was bored easily. When she realized I was serious about the transfusions and Dr. Blundell’s work, she grew tired.” She shook her head. “That was so long ago.”
    Alex exchanged glances with Gaylen , who looked perplexed. “On a more somber note, I am sorry about Tatiana. She was greatly respected,” he said.
    “She was. Nicholae now has the power—”
    “You, dear, have the power,” Gaylen interrupted her and continued, “I sensed it the moment you walked through that door. Tatiana’s death will be Nicholae’s undoing.”
    “I just want to be left alone.” Sebastian tossed back the contents of the goblet.
    Alex felt the queasiness in her stomach as she watched them drinking and glanced down at her plate. “Ugh,” she mumbled and gently pushed the plate away. She looked up to see Sebastian grimacing.
    “Sorry, love,” Sebastian murmured and set down the goblet.
    “Me too, love,” Gaylen chimed in. He saw the glare from his old friend and cleared his throat. “So, Alex, tell me about this serum.”
    Alex took another drink of wine before answering. “I discovered, with Marcus Windham, that I carry the enzyme in my blood that Marcus and Sebastian have been looking for all these years. We found the appropriate combination, and when injected into a vampire’s bloodstream, it allows them to stay in the sunlight for short periods. We were going to make further studies when Leigh killed Marcus. I injected the serum into my bloodstream, saving it for the future. Now I need a lab to conduct experiments using my blood.” She looked at Sebastian and smiled.
    “So if it’s in your bloodstream, is it never ending?” he asked Alex.
    “It would appear so. My body has the enzyme, and now it’s mingled with my blood,” Alex said.
    “And