Turning Night by Viola Grace Read Free Book Online

out.
    “You know, I had never appreciated how five years changes a person. It is peculiar, Robert. If your little attack hadn’t snapped me back to reality, I might have been stuck in that moment between then and now forever. Losing your maker is a painful process, even if the transformation wasn’t complete.”
    He blinked as she started toward him. The two flash burns of his offspring probably lit her with an evil glow.
    She tilted her head. “Did you feel them go?”
    Robert was backing up slowly. “How can you be this strong? He said you would be weak and confused.”
    “He didn’t know. No Abomination has ever been in this position before. He guessed based on vampire tradition where you try and fan the gratitude that they need to feel five years later. My maker is dead. I am grateful only to myself.”
    Robert started to run but that wasn’t in the cards. She caught him with her mind and set him aflame. The living torch stumbled three steps before he collapsed in a heap of smouldering ash.
    Whistling and feeling much more like herself, Max went to the water fountain and washed her hands. Once the dark blood was off and she made sure that no traces were left on the steel and porcelain, she returned to the car.
    “The Guild house please, Raven.”
    Raven blinked and started the car. “That was exceptionally creepy, Max.”
    Hellebore nodded. “Even for vampires, that was odd.”
    Max smiled. “Well, the attack part is over. Now, I have to pledge allegiance to Gregori and the party can commence.”
    Hellebore was sensitive to nuance. “What else is going to happen?”
    “Oh, I am going to point out a traitor in the household and see what Gregori wants me to do.”
    The occupants of the car fell silent. In the supernatural world, there was one fate for traitors. Another person was going to die.
     
    Hellebore cleared her throat just as they entered the drive to the Guild Master’s home. “Why didn’t Miklos participate?”
    Max wrinkled her nose. “Because knowing what I can do now, he wouldn’t have gotten me this far.”
    Raven swallowed and parked the car. “Well, we made it. Now, for the final steps and then the celebration.”
    “Thank you two, again. I know that the last few days have been rough. At least it will all be over tonight.” Max smiled at them as they exited.
    When they all faced the door, Raven quickly hugged Max. “You did well.”
    Hellebore echoed the hug. “You did extremely well. Now, go and face the Guild Master.”
    It was the final stage of her turning night before the party, and Max had never been one to delay a party.
     
    Vampires were the only faces in evidence, but the heartbeats in the backyard let Max know that her friends were on the grounds. This was Guild business. Vampires only.
    She walked the path that she had been dragged through in chains five years earlier.
    In the audience room, instead of the tribunal, there was only Gregori. The courtiers were watching from the sidelines, but none of the household staff was in evidence.
    Gregori’s forehead relaxed. It was the easiest tell when he was worried about her. He got a vertical line in the centre from knitting his brows.
    She walked to the position designated by protocol and knelt.
    “Speak.”
    “My name is Maxine Munroe, and this night I have been changed into an Abomination. I have killed my maker and my heart still beats.”
    He leaned forward. “This is a grave statement. What shall I do with you?”
    “I offer to serve the vampire guild for as long as I live. My growing power is at your disposal, as is my ability to read the minds of other vampires.” She bit her lip.
    “If I demand your destruction?”
    She blinked and smiled grimly. “You will have a fight on your hands.”
    He sat back. “Is that a threat?”
    “I value my life. I will defend it no matter its form.”
    He nodded. “I have come to a decision.”
    She remained silent.
    “I will take you on as my apprentice as no other suitable