Immanuel's Veins Read Online Free PDF Page B

scent of her perfumed hair. Like gardenias in the summer. If Alek were following her, he would have said something. Perhaps he would have been my savior in this matter. I thought I should send her to him so that I could be free of these ridiculous thoughts.
    We returned to the dining room and walked toward the door leading into the ballroom. “You should make a play for Alek,” I said.
    She paused and tilted her head as if to say, Is that so?
    â€œHe would like that,” I said. “I mean, he likes confident women. And you shouldn’t cast judgment before you get to know him.”
    A roar came from beyond the door.
    She stared at me.
    Another cry, this time a woman’s voice gasping.
    I reached the door in two long steps, threw it wide, and stepped into the ballroom. The lights had dimmed by half, candles extinguished. Dozens of guests lined the walls and the balcony. As one their eyes were fixed on the floor beneath the chandelier.
    There stood Alek, sword drawn, point pressed against one of the Russian’s throats. But the Russian also had a sword stretched out and it lay alongside Alek’s throat. They stood two paces apart, glaring at each other.
    Natasha lay on the floor six feet from them. There was blood on her face.
    â€œI will kill you for that,” Alek said.

THREE
    S o obvious?” Stefan asked. His voice was soft but confident enough to send a cold draft down my back.
    â€œDeath is always obvious when a woman’s honor is at stake,” Alek said.
    â€œHer honor? In your jealousy you misunderstand. She asked me to kiss her.”
    I instinctively reached out my left hand and placed it against Lucine’s belly, meaning to push her back to safety, then just as quickly withdrew it, thinking the touch inappropriate.
    I quickly surveyed the room. The other Russians stood casually in a group, watching with mild interest, except the one who called herself Sofia, who was staring at me with fiery eyes. The other guests had backed up to the walls and wore stark faces.
    Kesia Cantemir rushed from the door toward her motionless daughter. “What have you done? What is this?” She dropped to her knees and cradled Natasha’s head in her lap. “Darling, wake up! What is this?”
    I put a hand out to steady Lucine, who had come to herself and was starting to go for her sister. “Be careful, Alek.”
    â€œStay back, Toma. He’s been begging me all night.”
    Stefan only chuckled. Alek knew as well as I that even if he thrust his blade into the Russian’s throat now, the man would have plenty of time to reciprocate before they both collapsed in blood.
    â€œWhat have you done, you beast?” Kesia cried.
    â€œI kissed your daughter, madam. Clearly she was overwhelmed by the pleasure and fainted. I assure you, she will awake and beg for more.”
    The room was deathly silent.
    â€œIt is your own honor you have put into question,” Stefan said to Alek. Now a smile had joined his soft voice and warning bells shook in my head. “But we don’t need to kill each other over a woman neither of us really knows. Sister?”
    Sofia, who was evidently Stefan’s sister, stepped toward the two men locked beneath the chandelier. She left her friends, but I could swear her eyes never left me.
    Could the others see this? Was Lucine watching the alluring gaze of this woman piercing my head?
    Stefan flipped his wrist and his long blade sailed toward Sofia in a blur. He lifted both hands in a sign of truce and stepped back.
    Sofia caught the sword by the handle as if it were an apple she’d casually tossed to herself. Using only slight movement, she sent it back to one of the others, who snatched it from the air.
    â€œWhy don’t you try Sofia? She likes big strong warrior types,” Stefan said.
    I had rarely seen Alek at a loss for words, but he hesitated. His eyes spun to Sofia, who was walking around him as she trailed her