Vampire Apocalypse #2 Cataylst by H.M. Ward Read Free Book Online

three
empty beds, and the one with the girl fast asleep. The King towered
over Cassie, his slender form casting a shadow across her sleeping
body.
    When Cassie awoke, she gasped. Pulse
pounding, she inched back in the bed until her back pressed against
the headboard. Her frantic heartbeat rang in his ears. The King
grabbed Cassie by the throat and yanked her from her bed. “You are
coming with me.”
    The girl dangled, her hands frantically
clutching at her neck trying to rip free from his grip. When the
King realized he was strangling the girl, he dropped her to the
floor. Cassie sucked in air and tried to scream for Will, for
Kahli, for anyone, but she was totally alone. Kahli had not come
back from dinner. Will wasn’t around this night, and her horrible
roommates hadn’t come to bed.
    Cassie cowered. The blood that covered the
King scared her, and although her mind didn’t piece it together
yet, her body did. He was dangerous, more so than last time. Last
time there was no blood. Last time he only wanted flesh. This time
was different. Blood and burn marks marred his skin. Cassie knew
that this wasn’t a weak, anemic vampire. The blood covering him
wasn’t only his. She didn’t know how she knew, but Cassie could
tell. She could smell it, and instead of the sickening black tar
that normally flowed in the vampire’s veins, the King’s blood was
scarlet.
    “What’d you do with her?” Cassie hissed, but
the King didn’t answer. He grabbed her nightshirt and pulled her to
her feet.
    “I’ve had a rather unpleasant night,” he said
as if he were addressing a member of the Regent. He wiped the back
of his hand across his bloodstained lips, “So, if you don’t mind,
I’ll ask the questions, and you will answer.”
    Cassie managed to get to her feet. The King
dragged her through the halls and into the main corridors. They
passed the maidens’ quarters and headed towards the King’s side of
the palace. Before disappearing into his usual place, he stopped.
This was important and required tact and diplomacy that he failed
to plan for. The King pressed his fingers to his temples and
dropped Cassie on the floor.
    Breathing hard he snapped his fingers at her
like she was a dog. “Up. Walk in front.”
    Cassie swallowed the lump in her throat and
walked in front of the King. Her bare feet were cold against the
marble floor. When they finally stopped in front of a door, she
didn’t know whether to be happy or scream. Just before Cassie
stepped into the room, she looked up. Cole was standing in the
shadows of the archway across from them. His eyes were filled with
fear, as the King pushed Cassie through the door and closed it
behind them.
    The room had floor to ceiling bookcases
filled with artifacts, but hardly any books. A fire was raging in
the hearth, warming the small space. The King’s tone changed from
threatening to patient. Cassie’s body shook, even though she tried
to stop. Gripping her hands in her lap, she sat where the King
indicated, in front of the fire.
    This is important , the King thought to
himself. He didn’t know how far he should go. One or two missing
girls were easy to hide—an accident or a sudden illness made it
less than suspect. However, tonight there were already three
missing girls, and Will. To make matters worse, each and every one
of them was technically the Queen’s property. This shivering girl
made five.
    “Cassandra,” the King spoke her full name in
a soothing tone, “please don’t be afraid.” Before Cassie could
think, something thick and warm—like hot syrup—poured over her
emotions and stilled her. The fear that was coursing through her
body melted. She stared at the fire, unable to think. Cassie
watched the flames dance, slack-jawed as the King paced. His
compulsion worked well, and the King was pleased to see Cassie
succumb to it so readily.
    “Very good, my dear. Now, I have a question
for you.” The King walked toward her, lifting his hands as