Vampire Legacy (Book 4 of the Dragon Heat series) by Ella J. Phoenix Read Free Book Online Page A

tearing open as if made of clay—his dragon was trying to break through the mold. His eyes wavered between human and dragon, his fingers had turned into long claws. By Apa Dobrý, this disease was one of the most gruesome things Petran had ever encountered.
    One of the servants found a break in his master’s movements, and latched at Somenski’s ankle, locking them in metal chains. His lord stumbled but didn’t go down.
    Big mistake.
    The draco yelled to the others but before the backup could step in, Somenski’s sharp claws slashed the servant out of the way and freed himself from the shackles.
    “No! Father,” Natalia cried out. “Please, look at me!” Once again, her pleas were to no avail.
    Petran glared at the heavy chains, which now lay forgotten on the floor. The draco servant failed in his attempt, but it seemed to Petran that they were the only way to contain the deranged dragon lord.
    “Arthur,” he shouted at his chamberlain. “Grab the other end!”
    Arthur complied, giving a hint that he had understood his master’s intentions. Without the need for a second order, he wrapped the metal shackles around his wrists and opened his stance, grinding his feet firmly on the ground. Petran then clutched his end of the chain tightly in his hands before leaping into the air, over the bed posts, and coming to a halt behind Somenski. The dragon lord didn’t see any of it coming. He had been focusing on deflecting the attacks from the ground, but not from above, leaving his head and back unprotected.
    Careful not to cause more pain than he was already in, Petran lassoed Somenski’s torso and arms then launched himself backward, dragging the draco with him. Before his neighbor could retaliate, he rolled off the bed, and pulled the chain tight. The movement added to Arthur’s firm grip on the other side, forced Somenski to lie out on the bed. He thrashed and struggled against the chains but they had him.
    “Natalia, hurry,” Petran shouted, nodding to the cup in her hands.
    At once, she sprang on the bed and forced her father to drink the tea. “Please, father, drink this. It will steal away the pain, I promise.” Her voice was soft but her movements were certain.
    After a few unsuccessful attempts, the murky fluid finally found its way into Somenski’s mouth and the crisis ebbed.
    A collective sigh of relief resounded throughout the room, as everyone released a breath they all seemed to be holding, including Petran. After ensuring Somenski was truly at ease, he released the chain and nodded to Arthur to do the same.
    “Merciful Soartas, what is this Curse?” he murmured after his neighbor had finally fallen asleep.
    Natalia’s grave gaze found his then she turned to her seneschal. “Olek, please guide the others to clean the room.”
    Olek obliged, bellowing more commands. In a few moments, the room had been cleaned, and cleared of servants.
    Natalia went to her father’s side and covered him with a light duvet, then she straightened up, and faced Petran. “This disease is nothing we’ve ever seen and it strikes at a phenomenal pace.”
    “You mentioned last night that you have been watching over the villages most affected, and noticed a pattern.” 
    She pursed her lips and turned her eyes away.
    Petran gripped her elbows, forcing her to look at him again. “Speak your mind, milady. My ears may be the only ones in your favor.”
    She stared at him, and then at the ceiling. He noted the tenseness in her jaw as if she was considering her options. Then her eyes melted into resignation. It was clear she was exhausted, but not physically tired.
    “After the first wave when the Curse strikes, several villagers lose their lives within a matter of months but then the plague seems to lose power, just like a cold front, it dwindles. And in less than two seasons after the first wave, the death toll is null.”
    “How long has your father been bed bound?”
    “Over three seasons,” she replied bluntly.
    He