Haven: Revenge of the Viper Read Online Free PDF Page A

Vallen contemplated, unless Demetrius knew she was alive and that she was hiding. Vallen’s eyes narrowed. Yes, that’s it. Demetrius knew—he had known all along.
    Demetrius remained stoic, careful not to show any reaction to this unfortunate development. How did the Vampires find out? Who would have divulged this information?
    “What, I … I … don’t understand, Bellisoria, what are you saying?” Elessar asked.
    “Isn’t it obvious, Elf? She lied to you,” Tobias said smugly.
    Bellisoria tried to regain her composure. She took a deep breath and focused her attention on Elessar.
    “Yes, I suppose that is one way to look at it,” she said calmly. Then she turned her attention to Valteen, who was making his way around the room to the other Vampires. “What do you want to know?” she asked.
    Atamar stepped forward shaking his head. “No, No, we can’t.” But Bellisoria raised her hand, signaling for his silence.
    “High Priestess, no!” Atamar pleaded. But her solemn eyes met his.
    “It’s time Atamar. It’s time they knew.” Atamar opened his mouth to speak again but he abruptly stopped. He could see the conviction in her eyes and he knew there was nothing he could say to change her mind.
    “It’s time,” Bellisoria said once more. This time her look was one of understanding for she knew the great lengths they had taken to keep this secret safe.
    She turned and faced Valteen.
    “Where is Alisa Dalcome?” Valteen snapped, his Romanian accent more apparent now.
    “She is on Earth,” Bellisoria responded coldly.
    The Majesty broke out in another uproar as they all stood from their seats. Even the Witches were standing now. But Bellisoria held her ground, her glare focused on Valteen. Demetrius and Vallen stepped out from the shadows once more to Bellisoria’s side as the Centurion Guards made their way into the chamber and fanned out around the perimeter of the great hall.
    “Silence!” Valteen yelled, his voice reverberating off the chamber walls. He waited as the hall fell quiet once more and the Realm leaders took their seats. Once everything was quiet again, Valteen continued his line of questioning.
    “And when did she travel to Earth?” he asked. Bellisoria’s eyes were still fixed on him as she answered.
    “Thirteen years ago.”
    Suddenly Elessar stood again. His gray eyes were like slits hidden beneath his furrowed brow. The High Elves were greatly respected, not only because of their wisdom but because of their ability to gather intelligence.
    Bellisoria knew Elessar would take this information as a betrayal because of their close relationship. Over the years, Elessar had become her confidant and dear friend. Elessar had mentored Bellisoria long ago in the values of leadership. He had pressed upon her the importance of vision, principle, honor, valor, courage, and humility. All the qualities she would need to possess if she were to become the leader Haven would one day need. What does he think of me now, she wondered.
    “Please Bellisoria, explain,” he said. “Explain why you have kept this from us for so long.” Elessar was trying to help her; that much she knew. He was trying to give her an opportunity to explain her bizarre behavior—to make sense of what Valteen was accusing her of, and to prove to him that he had not put his trust in the wrong person. But the truth was he had. Even though what she had done was more for the good of Haven and less for their leaders, she still had betrayed him by not being forthcoming. The leaders of the Realm tended to have their own agendas and they were not always in the best interest of the people. She had just wanted to give her friend’s family a second chance and a new life.
    Bellisoria sighed. She looked at Elessar, her remorseful eyes catching his, as if to convey how deeply sorry she was for keeping this from him. But it was something that had to be done.
    “Alisa was sent to Earth thirteen years ago as a sleeper agent. She went