DeLeina, Maya - Veil of Seduction [Ambrose Heights Vampires 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) Read Online Free PDF Page A

mixture of blood and powder, but it was empty. He remained pinned in the driver seat, suspended by the seat belt with all the pressure on the right side of his body. Pain consumed him, and he realized the extent of his injuries. A bone protruded through his left thigh. His right wrist was broken. Blood streamed from the top of his head and down his face. The mix of the powder and blood burned as it ran freely into his eyes. He felt light-headed. His vision blurred. Ryan closed his eyes.
    The faint sound of crunching snow renewed his senses, and he forced his eyes open. The crunching became louder, and Ryan didn’t know whether he should be elated at the thought of being rescued or terrified.
    Why would someone be out here ? Oh my god, maybe it’s her, she’s okay! Did she climb down in the dark? Maybe I didn’t fall that far down the mountain.
    His mind was a frenzy, questions darting from every direction. He was about to call out to her when a hand came through his driver’s side window and rested on his chest. The hand probed his body, searching and evaluating. There was power behind the touch.
    Somehow, Ryan knew it was not her.
    “You only have a few moments left,” a deep male voice spoke as he hovered over the window. “You must decide quickly.”
    “Help me,” whispered Ryan. He tried to turn to see his rescuer, but all he saw was a dark shadow from the corner of his eye.
    “Listen to me carefully. You’re lucky that I am here first. If the others would’ve found you…you may not have had a choice.” The shadow leaned in closer to Ryan. “Tell me what you wish for yourself. I can leave you here untouched, allowing your injuries to consume you, or I can quickly rid you of your pain, allowing you immediate peace and serenity in death.”
    The shadow paused, leaning even closer to whisper in Ryan’s ear. “Or I can repair your body. But with this choice, you will forever be a black ink darkness, walking this earth as something unnatural .” His voice was calm, unhurried, and melodic.
    Ryan noted a rhythmic accent in his speech.
    “Save me. Save my life, please!” pleaded Ryan as tears started to mix in with the blood.
    A low growl came from the shadow’s chest. “You are not listening carefully. I am not giving you the option of life, but rather…”
    “I need her. I have nothing without her!” Ryan blurted out. He feared she would be dead, but he clung to hope that she’d somehow survived. Amidst the pain, his mind raced.
    What am I going to do? She needs to sign the deed papers, he thought to himself in a panic.
    In an instant, Ryan felt the shadow pull back. And while he couldn’t see them, he could feel evaluating eyes transfix on him.
    The shadow broke the stillness of the moment. Through Ryan’s cloudy vision he watched the shadow lift his head and scan the grove of Aspen trees and large boulders that surrounded them.
    “What? What is it? Is someone else out there?” Ryan asked.
    The shadow looked back down at Ryan and reached for his clutched fist.
    Cold fingers explored Ryan’s bare ring finger.
    “What are you doing?” Ryan screeched in panic.
    The shadow moved in close to Ryan’s ear. For the first time, the words spoken took on a humanlike character.
    “You are choosing, not based on the pain you are in but rather the love you have in your heart for another? I can’t take that away from you. If your human bond is strong, you will remember her and carry it with you through the turning. You will reunite again. I will do this for you.”
    “Thank you,” whispered Ryan in response without fully understanding what he had agreed to.
    In an instant, Ryan passed out from the pain.

    * * * *

    The jasper dropped from the injured man’s clutched fist into the hands of Steffan.
    Steffan tugged frantically on the hood of his black coat, pulling it down and exposing his face. His silver eyes focused on his clutched fist.
    Cautiously, he opened it and revealed the jasper resting in the