Dark Beauty (Seeker) Read Online Free PDF Page B

really were surrounded, she’d need more than one blade.
    “You’re not going to need that blade, or any, for that matter,” Ricky said.
    Isabelle drew in an anxious breath. How did he know her plan? She shifted her focus from Ricky to Abram. Something on Abram’s blank face told her he knew exactly how Ricky knew. It was like Ricky could read her mind.
    “So, Seekers,” Ricky said. “As I said. You’re not getting out alive.” He sauntered to the front of the room, taking in the replica of the city. “This really is a nice training facility—alleys and buildings—you’ve worked hard creating such a realistic atmosphere.”
    Jared moved away from the door, taking careful steps toward Ricky. Isabelle joined her mentor. Abram positioned himself away from them. Isabelle figured he’d chosen to take a spot near the perimeter in case there were others besides Ricky lurking outside the warehouse.
    “What are you going to do, mentor?” Ricky laughed. “There’s nothing you can do that I already don’t know you’re doing.”
    Again, Isabelle wondered what he meant by that. Then, it clicked. Ricky’s demonic ability. He could read minds. She eyed Abram, angry he hadn’t told her before. This was life-or-death information. If they made it out alive, she had every intention of confronting him.
    “You said we’re surrounded,” Jared said. “What makes you think I’m going to believe you and not kill you here on the spot?”
    “Him—” Ricky pointed behind them.
    A foreboding figure stood in a shaded area of the warehouse, shielded from the sunlight streaming through the small rectangular windows that outlined the building. Isabelle figured he had to be a vampire, otherwise he would have shown himself in the direct sunlight like Ricky. From what she could tell, this man was unusually tall. His hair appeared to be an ashen white, and his skin was just as pale. In the dim light, his eyes glowed red. With his shoulders pinned back and his pale neck extended upward, there was something extremely deadly, yet superior, about his demeanor.  
    “Tavares,” Jared said, for the first time appearing nervous and not in control. He always kept his businesslike cool, never spooked by anything. This time it was clearly different. This was the first time he’d met the vampire king.
    “The vampire king,” Isabelle said, not intending for the words to actually leave her lips. Sure, she’d heard stories about him, but to meet him in person? Holy crap!
    “You’ve got it,” Ricky said, amusement in his tone.
    Confidence built up in Isabelle, and she shot Tavares a hard glare. She refused to show any weakness to any vampire—king or not. “So, to what do we owe the pleasure of your presence, your majesty?” she said mockingly.
    Ricky answered, “You killed Emanuel and Paul. There are consequences for taking out the king’s protégés.”
    “What, he can’t answer for himself?” she said, vying to wipe the smugness off Ricky’s face. Without thinking, Isabelle went after Ricky. That was it. In the presence of the king or not, this jerk had to go.
    Ricky crouched into a ready stance. Isabelle ignored his motion, shoving one dagger back into her boot so she could fight and clutching the other in her palm. She sprinted into a flying sidekick. He twisted out of the impact of her foot to his chest. “You can’t fight me, little Seeker. I know everything you’re going to do before you do it.”
    Isabelle continued after him, punching and kicking. Each time she attempted to make contact, he blocked or dodged her. She needed to figure out a distraction to keep him from reading her thoughts. She only needed a second. Abram and Jared hung back, letting her take on the Daychild. If there were more around the warehouse, they’d have to be on guard for any others who might decide to attack. Jared was closest to Tavares, still keeping his eye on the vampire king, although she doubted Tavares would move out of his shaded