Ascend (The Vampire Destiny Series Book #4) Read Online Free PDF Page A

arms wide enough for both Anna and Nikolaus.  “I know you both want to do it.  Let’s get this over with so we’re not hugging all night.”
    They both wrapped their arms around me at the same time.  My head rested at the base of my brother’s throat, his pulse strumming strongly against me.  I could smell his warm blood, coursing through his veins temptingly.  I realized sooner than later, I’d need to feed.  But it wouldn’t be on my brother.
    As if he’d read my mind, his grip on me only increased, leaning to whisper in my ear.  “You won’t hurt me, Josie.”
    I nodded and hugged him back for a moment.  Not wanting to press my luck, I pulled away and let Anna pull me closer.  “I was so worried.  Don’t do that to me again.”
    Laughing softly, I squeezed her and playfully nudged her with my shoulder.  “Anna.  You’re not going soft on me are you?”
    She huffed and tossed her brown curls over her shoulder.  “You were out for three days, Josie.  Stefan couldn’t feel you in your bond.  You were in pain…” Her voice faded out and she shuddered.
    “ Three days ?  I was out for three days?”  I looked around the room to each of them.  My eyes met Stefan’s steady gaze.  His blue eyes looked haunted and the still fragile bond between us ached with its need to reconnect. “That explains so much.  Now I understand why you were worried.”
    “ I was never worried, Josie.  You always have to be difficult.”  Lukas retorted sarcastically.  He examined his nails and shook his head dramatically.  “Why would your change to a vampire be any different?”
    “Enough.”  Stefan’s voice thundered through the room.  He walked to the door and opened it, his patience and his self-control frayed.  “Tomorrow, we have much to discuss.  There are decisions to be made that require planning.  But for now, I need to be with Josephine.  As you can see, she is fine.  She needs to feed and there are things we need to discuss.”
    For a moment, no one moved.  Everyone was surprised by Stefan’s sudden outburst.  Once again, it was Nikolaus that had the presence of mind to tug at Anna’s hand and slap Lukas on the back of his head.  They each stopped and hugged me goodbye as they filed out of the apartment.  Stefan slammed the door shut behind them and pressed his hand against the heavy wood, swallowing and breathing heavily.  I stood motionless, watching as his shoulders moved with the effort of his ragged breathing.
    When his eyes swung over and connected with mine, I could feel his desire as strongly as if it was my own.  His fathomless stare seemed to pin me in place and leave me vulnerable as if his eyes alone could strip me naked.
    His voice was raspy and guttural. “I have had enough of making small talk.  You need to feed.  And then…and then I need to fuck you.”
     

Chapter 2 - Bloodlust
     
    Stefan strode through the room, disappearing into the kitchen.  Unsure of what to do with myself, I wandered to the floor to ceiling windows and pressed myself against the cool glass in the living room, staring into the city that was just out of reach.  Life went on around me: cars passing by and people dodging through the traffic on the street below.  My new eyes could see the smallest detail; pick out the slightest flaw.  I could see the tiny cracks in the sidewalk from this much higher vantage point.  More sensitive to the sunlight than before, I found myself squinting at the weak beams of fading light from the evening sun filling the large windows.  My open palm slapped against the glass in frustration.  I felt out of control, my emotions fluctuating from confusion, to curiosity to extreme arousal.  My forehead fell against the glass, overwhelmed at the warring sensations building inside of me.
    I jumped when two massive arms wrapped around me, pulling me back against his chest.  His head lowered to leave a blazing trail of kisses down my neck. Shivering from his