Beautiful Monster-The Exchange Read Online Free PDF Page A

of loss over and over again as
I’ve been doing.”
    Alexei had done his best to brainwash him. Telling him
they were immortal. That they would live to see the end of time itself, but Lev
knew there were ways for creatures like him to be put out of their misery. One
way was to be killed by one’s maker. In his case that meant Alexei, and he knew
his brother would not do such a thing, for selfish reasons of course.
    “You know nothing,” Alexei said crossing his arms.
    “I know that if I turned right now and walked into the
parlor where the fire is blazing in the huge fireplace, it would consume me,
turning my so called immortal body to ashes. I know that if I waited for
sunrise and walked out into the sun, even on the coldest January day, that its
rays would also turn me to ashes. There are ways, my brother, and though you
did your best to make me think them fairy tales, they’re true. I will endure
that pain—I will seek oblivion, if you do not take me to see Boris.”
    Alexei opened his mouth as if to speak, shut it again,
then ran a hand through his dark, tousled mane. With a deep, mournful sigh, he
slid slowly to the floor and let his head fall into his hands. “You don’t
understand. I cannot tell you where he is.” His words were barely a whisper.
    “You can’t or you won’t?”
    Alexei lifted his head, a single tear slid down his
cheek. “I won’t.”

CHAPTER EIGHT
     
     
    “Damn you!” Lev reached down and yanked Alexei to his
feet. “You will take Carly and me to see Boris.” He gave him a shove
toward the doorway to the parlor. “Go see if Tony’s okay. Take him home quickly
then get back here.” Lev threw Alexei a steely glare. He’d half kill him if he
had to, and he could tell by the look on his brother’s face that he knew it
too.
    Lev prayed that Boris would have a few suggestions or
maybe a trick or two up his sleeve. He was certainly ancient enough to possess
more knowledge than Lev and Alexei combined. Time equaled experience, and
experience equaled intelligence in the world in which they existed. It was true
of the human world as well, but to a limited degree, as a human lifespan was
miniscule. When Lev boiled it all down, the plain and simple truth was that
he’d run out of options, and despite the warnings about Boris from Alexei, he
was willing to take his chances.
    Alexei took a step toward the parlor and turned to Lev.
“Tony will be fine. He needs sleep more than anything. When he wakes, he’ll
leave. I’m sure of it. Don’t think I’ll see him again any time soon.” He
laughed but it was without humor, and Lev noticed his eyes were puffy and red.
Tears stood ready to fall.
    Alexei wiped his tears, sniffed, then said, “Look, I’ve
made it my business to keep tabs on Boris—I think you might already know that.
But the reason why is that I have to know where he is at all times
because…because he’s looking for me .”
    Lev was dumbfounded. “He’s looking for you? But why?
It’s been many years. I’m sure he’s gone on to make others. Why are you so special?”
    Alexei smiled, and it transformed his delicate features,
making him beautiful again. He didn’t have to answer the question after all.
Lev’s handsome brother was a magnet, much as he himself was, but the difference
between them was Lev’s desire to repel the pull. He never craved the attention,
unlike Alexei.
    “A decade for us is no longer than a minute for a human.
You know that,” Alexei said, not needing to explain but wanting to. “Boris,
well, let’s just say he likes me and very much wants me back.” He shrugged. “It
doesn’t matter anyway. Even if I did take you to see that monster, he won’t
help.”
    Lev felt anger begin to rise again but pushed it away.
He had questions. “How do you know Boris is on the hunt for you? And why hasn’t
he found you yet? It’s not like we move around a lot.”
    Alexei howled a laugh. “You are naive, brother. Do you
forget he is my maker? I