Demon's Kiss Read Online Free PDF Page B

actually smiled, and it was such a stunning thing to see that Seth went silent. That dark, morose expression faded for just a moment. But then it returned so swiftly that Seth almost wondered if he’d imagined the change. “May I continue now?” the vampire asked.
    â€œYeah. I just…There’s so much I want to know.”
    â€œAnd you’ll learn all of it, in time. For now, I’ll continue with the part I’ve begun. For each vampire, there is one mortal with whom the psychic bond is particularly strong. For me, that mortal is you. That’s why you’ve seen me before. That’s why I’ve helped you when you’ve been in trouble in the past. And it’s why I could not do anything but come to you again when you were near death.”
    Seth nodded slowly. “I appreciate it.”
    â€œIf I’d had a choice in the matter, I’d likely have continued on my mission and left you to live or die on your own.”
    Hell, this guy was one cold son of a bitch, Seth thought.
    â€œCareful. I can hear your thoughts, you know.”
    Seth’s brows rose high. “You…?”
    â€œBut you aren’t wrong. I am a cold son of a bitch.”
    â€œDamn.”
    Again the vampire smiled, just slightly this time. “I’ll teach you to block your thoughts. It’s just further evidence I made the right decision in bringing you along with me. Initially I intended to transform you and leave you behind. I only realized after the deed was done that a fledgling vampire as clueless as you wouldn’t last a week on his own.”
    â€œHey, ease up there, pal. I think I could have managed just fine on my own.”
    The vampire looked at him briefly, brows raised, a look of skepticism in his dark eyes.
    â€œI’m not kidding,” Seth told him; then he turned to gaze out the window, amazed that he could see for miles, and that everything was as clear as day to him, despite the fact that it was dark outside. “I’ve been waiting my whole life for this. I mean, I didn’t know it was this, but it has to be. I always knew I was meant for something big, something important.”
    â€œThe girl,” the vampire said. And Seth shot him a look. The man shrugged. “You mentioned her, earlier.”
    He nodded. “She’s part of it. But there’s more. Maybe this mission of yours. What is it, exactly?”
    â€œI’ve got to kill someone.”
    Seth shivered and looked down at his hands in his lap. “Hell.”
    â€œDon’t worry. He’s in dire need of killing. And I have no intention of letting you become involved. I work alone.”
    â€œWell, you did. But, uh, I’m kind of here now, so—”
    â€œI work alone.”
    Seth nodded. The vamp was a cranky bastard. He realized, as the man shot him a look, that he’d heard that thought, too. Seth attempted a sheepish grin. “Sorry. This is gonna take some getting used to.”
    â€œMmm.”
    â€œYou know, I don’t even know your name.”
    â€œReaper,” the vampire said. And that was it, nothing more.
    â€œReaper. Huh. Well, hell, I guess it fits.” Seth was quiet for a moment; then he sent the guy a smirk. “So can I call you Grim?”
    â€œNo.”
    Not even a smile. Seth sat back in the seat, realizing that joking wasn’t going to go over real big with this guy. He flipped on the radio and began looking for a decent station. “Reaper, you saved my butt back there. I owe you, you know. So if you decide you do need some help with this mission of yours, you just say the word, okay?”
    Reaper looked at him with one brow higher than the other.
    â€œDon’t look like that. You don’t know me, pal. There’s not a lot I can’t do.”
    â€œI don’t doubt it. And I’d lay odds your friend J.J. will never forget what you did for him last night.”
    Seth looked at him, because