The Amulet by Lisa Phillips Read Free Book Online

Dracula, also called 'The Impaler'. He, of course is dead, even by vampire standards, he's been dead a while. His successor, Gabriel, will certainly want that back however."
    "Who's Gabriel?"
    "He was the prince of Transylvania some 200 years after Dracula. That amulet was a symbol of the Order of Dragons, of which Dracula was a member. It was rumored that he wore it backwards to invoke the devil, but it's hard to say how much of the histories were propaganda and how much was fact. It is supposed to hold great power, and Gabriel will not part with it willingly."
    She gazed again at the gleaming eyes of the dragon, wondering if she could return it to its rightful place, but the truth was, she had no idea how she'd gotten it in the first place. She'd had no inclination to believe what she had was anything more than a strange dream, had the necklace not proven otherwise. Still, the dragon nestled itself nicely into the curves of her chest, seeming content to stay. It seemed to grow warmer and it's eyes appeared to glow.
    "Nevar, it seems almost alive to me. I think it likes me. I know it's crazy, but I don't know how else to put it."
    Instead of looking at her as if she needed a straight jacket, his eyes were sincere. He was listening to her and actually understanding because he knew her thoughts. She saw his eyes sweep downward at the dragon glaring at him from its perch. She felt like the dragon was guarding her, and it seemed to think Nevar was a threat.
    Now it seemed to be in her head and not just around her neck. She was hearing its thoughts, she realized. Whatever this amulet was, it had a mind of its own.
    The cup he had poured for her looked as if it were growing cold. She reached for the goblet with one hand, her free hand absent-mindedly stroking the dragon's golden scales. When her hand closed around the silver chalice, it was warm. The hunger she had not noticed was once again stoked. The scent of iron filled her nostrils as she put the cup to her lips.
    The liquid was stale, but warm. It was deprived of oxygen, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth, like over-brewed coffee. She had not noticed the chalky flavor of the anti-coagulants before. It satisfied the hunger, but left her wanting the pure, untainted fire of fresh blood that pulsed over her tongue.
    Nevar's eyes were apologetic. "It's okay," she told him, before he had a chance to say he was sorry again. "Nothing like the taste of yours, but it'll do in a pinch." She gave him a quick smile, hoping to take his mind away for a minute. It worked. He flashed her a perfectly white smile in return. She picked at the rest of the food he had brought her, but didn't eat much of it. Her hunger had been satisfied already, the rest was just for the lingering desire to feel normal. With her hunger gone, she felt strength returning to her. She was able to shield her thoughts once more. The walls gave her comfort and came easily this time, but now, she did feel the effort it was taking to hold them. She needed sleep.
    She knew instantly the moment the sun breeched the horizon. Her skin began to tingle as the hairs all stood on end. Her eyes stung as the light began to filter through the windows. "It's too bright in here."
    He held up a hand to shield his own eyes and cursed under his breath. "I've not used my guest rooms in so long, I had forgotten they faced the eastern horizon. I can take you into the lower level, below ground. Do you care to walk?"
    Yes. I think I can manage on my own. She swung her legs off the bed, happy to be facing the opposite direction of the increasingly bright sunlight. She stood slowly, taking care that she would not collapse again and embarrass herself. Once on her feet, her confidence returned. Her legs were as steady and capable as ever. She was a tall 5'9", which was still short by modeling standards, but nothing that wasn't easily fixed with a pair of four-inch heels. As tall as she was, Nevar still towered above her. He had to be about 6'3'