Deep Kiss of Winter Read Online Free PDF Page A

to get this dress off you.”
    She cracked open her lids, found herself on a mattress on the floor in some dark-paneled room. The vampire was surveying her with eyes the color of obsidian, a knife in one of his gloved hands.
    He’d put gloves on? Good vampire. “In Kristoff’s castle?”
    “How did you—? No, we’re not there.” He finished slashing away the rest of her dress, leaving her in panties. He ’d already removed her boots. “We’re in a mill outside New Orleans.”
    He set aside the knife, seeming more uncomfortable with her nudity than she was. With a swallow, he wrapped his fist around an arrow just above her breast. He used his other hand to press her shoulder into the mattress. “We’ll count to three.”
    She met his eyes and nodded. His gaze was frenzied, yet it comforted her. Never looking away, she gritted her teeth.

    “One . . . two—”
    Yank.
    She choked on a scream, and lightning exploded just outside the house. His eyes darted around uneasily as he tossed the arrow to the floor.
    Between panting breaths, she cried, “Remind me . . . to teach you . . . to count.”
    “Are you ready for another?”
    Was she? How much more pain could she take?
    “Think of something else, girl.” He clutched another arrow. “Or tell me your name.”
    Another yank, another scream swallowed. Outside, lightning flashed once more, and thunder rocked the roof timbers.
    He warily gazed upward before his attention settled on another arrow. As he worked the next shaft free—this one was lodged in her sternum—she clenched her fists into the sheets, fighting not to twist from him. The arrowhead grated against bone as it finally gave way.
    “Your name,” he demanded.
    She gasped out, “Daniela.”
    “Daniela.” He gave a tight nod. “Beautiful name for a beautiful girl.”
    She choked on a hysterical laugh, sending her into a wet coughing fit. Blood bubbled from her mouth when she uttered,
    “Beautiful . . . kidding?”
    His expression darkened. “I only meant that you’re lovely in form, or you would be—never mind.”
    “You’re . . . skeevy .”
    He gazed away, looking like he was mentally cursing himself.
    After such a long life, she was going to die of poison in the care of a crazed, skeevy vampire who couldn’t count.
    “My name is Murdoch Wroth.”
    “I know.” He was brother to Nikolai, which meant he was one of the Wroths, four Estonian warlords famous in their time for their ruthless defense of their country. Five years ago, the Valkyrie had learned from Myst that two of the brothers had been turned to vampires. Nikolai and . . . Murdoch .
    “How could you know my name?”
    She tried to shrug, but only grimaced.
    He let it drop. “Two more to go. Who were those men who did this to you?”
    “You wouldn’t know them—”
    Yank. Her vision began to flicker again.
    “Stay with me.” Had he smoothed a gloved hand over her hair?
    “Only one left,” he said, then added in a murmur, “ Brave girl. ”
    For some reason, she felt a rush of pride that he saw her as brave. She’d been weakened for so long, exiled from the very ice that made her stronger. She struggled to remain conscious, wavering in and out.
    “Will more of them be coming for you?” he asked.
    “They always do. Sooner or later.”
    “Why would they want to kill you?”
    She mumbled, “I was born.”
    “What does that mean?”
    “Can’t tell you . . . ’bout the Lore.”
    “Because I’m a Forbearer?” This plainly infuriated him. “You think Myst won’t be telling Nikolai your secrets?”
    “You think . . . they’ll be talking tonight?”
    He frowned as if she was confusing him, or more like she was throwing him. “Last arrow.”
    This one was wedged under her collarbone, refusing to come out. “Almost finished, sweet.” He pinned her to the mattress, twisting and pulling as she bit back a shriek. “Just hold on.”
    Finally, it gave way in a rush of blood. “There.” He threw it aside. “Now what