Cloak of Deceit: An Alex Moore Novel Read Online Free PDF Page A

explaining the rules of some underground vampire society. Julian started to answer my question, but I held up a hand to stop him. I didn’t have the energy to even attempt to comprehend his explanation.
    “Let’s start over. Is there any way out of this?” My voice betrayed more hope than I liked. But I thought I was handling it pretty well, considering I was technically dead , and yet having thoughts and conversations.
    A shadow passed over his face as he looked down at me, and I saw the answer in his eyes before he shook his head. “There’s no going back.”
    “Right. Okay. So dead is still dead. Or…Undead, I guess.” I spoke half to myself, burying my face in my hands. I had to think, but my temples throbbed and my jaw ached.
    I heard the shuffling of his clothes as Julian left the room. When he returned, he gathered my lamp from the floor. He plugged it in and turned it on, then shut off the bright overhead. “Better?”
    “Thanks.” I turned my head to watch him from the corner of my eye as he sat down on the bed beside me. He unscrewed the cap of an aluminum thermos.
    I licked my lips, remembering how desperately thirsty I was. The thirst surged again, now that my mental shock was wearing off. Julian took a drink and then raised one eyebrow, slanting the thermos in my direction. A metallic tang hit my palette. My mouth watered to the point that I almost drooled.
    I tilted the jug to my lips and swallowed a large gulp, which I promptly choked on. “Blegh! What is that? It’s awful.”
    I took another long swig. It tasted like rotten strawberries, yet was oddly satisfying.
    “Tomato juice and cow’s blood.”
    I spit the third mouthful out in a red mist.
    He pursed his lips to keep from smiling. “Sort of a newbie cocktail.”
    I eyed the thermos, fighting my urge to take another drink. In theory, it was sickening, but my body craved more. I took another small sip, trying to taste the blood, expecting to gag. I didn’t. I sighed and resigned myself to drinking the rest in two long swigs.
    “What am I supposed to do now?”
    “Well.” Julian sounded relieved I’d asked. “Tonight you’ll go through your final transformation. It’s very unpleasant, so I’ll give you something to knock you out. I’ll leave you the number of someone who deals with cases like yours — ones without Sponsors.”
    He paused, concern marring his features. I realized I was scowling at him and swept the look off of my face before handing him back the empty thermos.
    “Sorry.” I wiped my mouth. “I meant on a grander scale. You know, with the life I thought I had. But I guess that’s not your department.” I fell back onto the bed, and stared up at the ceiling.
    “Not usually.” The comforting tone seeped back into his voice. I closed my eyes, letting it soothe my raw nerves. “Normally, when I show up, you’re in deep shit.”
    “True-dat.”
    Julian laughed. The rich timbre of it made me smile, despite my grim mood. “I think you’re going to be okay.”
    “Because I’m tough?” I sat up, shoulder to shoulder with him.
    “Among other things.” He looked down at his lap, his brows knit together. “I’ve seen a lot of accidental turns go very badly. That’s why I came here tonight, in case you needed to be restrained and taken in, or…put down.” He sighed so deeply I felt it down to my toes. “I’m glad that didn’t happen.”
    He glanced over at me and our gazes locked. I was glad too. Glad that hat he hadn’t been forced to kill me. Glad that he was here now. I’m not sure why I felt like I could, but I reached over and pressed my fingers to his neck. He started at the touch, but then swallowed and relaxed.
    “Just checking.” I felt for a pulse. There wasn’t one. His skin was considerably warmer than mine, smooth, and I could still smell that faint leathery scent. I pulled down the collar of his shirt, searching for a bite mark, but didn’t find one of those either.
    “We heal