vampireinthebasement by Crymsyn Hart Read Free Book Online Page A

turned into a vampire. That was the opportunity Balthus gave her when he pulled her from the strip club and the downward spiral of her life. She poked Tris in the chest, feeling the well-muscled man underneath the fabric of his shirt. More pieces of her dream came to her. She heard the words he said and felt the pleasure that radiated off him. Daniella shook her head and cursed the other part of herself that she thought she had gotten rid of when she had become a vampire. It was that part of her that had drawn Balthus and other men to her.
    “I’m sorry about slipping into your dream. I thought that part of my life was over. I know that someone in the past wronged you, but I’m not that person. I assume that’s why you hate vampires so much.”
    “What part of your life are you talking about?” He growled, but he did not move.
    She pushed a stray lock from her face and stood her ground. At least he hadn’t gone for the knife. “When I was human I was a stripper, I had a way with men. I could tell if they were really into me more than wanting to have sex with me. It was kind of a sixth sense. Balthus saw me at the club and we had this connection. He said I was in his dream, and he never dreams about anything. I found him attractive too, which was how it worked. The more attractive I find a man, the more I dream about him. Each time, I remember more of what I dreamed. When I told Balthus about it, he said that I was a succubus, or part one, because I didn’t know what I was doing. He explained it was the subconscious part of me that acted out and slipped into the dreams of those who I wanted to be with. He assured me that after I was turned it would stop.”
    “Apparently your loving master was wrong.”
    She shrugged. “I guess so. Look, I’m sorry. It’s not something I can control. I wasn’t planning on coming in here, falling asleep, and trying to seduce you on purpose.” Daniella sighed. For the first time since she had become a vampire, she felt the dull throb of a headache starting between her eyes. Dealing with this man would drive her crazy.
    “And I’m supposed to believe that? You’re right up there with ghouls. I think those are even worse bottom feeders than your kind. What man would even want to bed a succubus to beget a child?”
    Daniella slapped him hard enough it snapped Tris’s head to the side and stung her hand. “I’ve heard enough from you. You may be holding me captive and detest me and other vampires, but I can’t help who I am. Yes, vampires serve the Grigori , but I don’t know anything about it. I’ve met my master only twice. He wondered what was so special about me because you didn’t sense me for a few minutes the first time you came looking for my nest. Now get this through that thick skull of yours, I will be treated with some respect. I’m still a living...well, I’m still a sentient creature who has feelings. I’m not some dried-up husk you can kick around. I’m willing to look past your oafishness and you trying to kill me, but you have to be respectful of me. Is that understood?”
    Tris gritted his teeth. His face reddened even more. His fists were clenched by his side and after a few long uneasy breaths, he uncurled them. He shoved his hands through his hair to push it from his face and then dragged his fingers down his cheeks. “Fine. Just stay out of my head.” Tris walked a couple of steps away from her and stopped.
    Daniella wondered what he was doing, because he hesitated. The silence between them stretched so tight that it was ready to snap. She dared not take a step in case the fragile truce that was between them was broken. The dull ache in her temple remained, but it had gotten a little stronger. She heard the footsteps above her from the other occupants of the house walking around. She sensed there were two others besides the one she had met. Then there was Lori, making the house large enough for five. The basement she was being kept in was a small