Innocent Blood Read Online Free PDF

cloak-and-dagger business. Or perhaps robe-and-cross might be the more apt term?”
    He smiled wistfully as he sniffed again at the brandy.
    Jordan frowned at the guy’s mannerisms. He certainly seemed less stuffy and formal than the other Sanguinists he had met.
    The chaplain took off his white glove and held out his hand. “Name’s Christian.”
    Jordan ignored the invitation.
    Realizing this, the chaplain lifted his hand and ran his fingers through his thick hair. “Yes, I appreciate the irony. A Sanguinist named Christian . It’s like my mother planned it.”
    The man snorted.
    Jordan wasn’t quite sure what to make of this Sanguinist.
    “I think we almost met back in Ettal Abbey,” the chaplain said. “But Rhun picked Nadia and Emmanuel to fill out the rest of his trio back in Germany.”
    Jordan pictured Nadia’s dark features and Emmanuel’s darker attitude.
    Christian shook his head. “Hardly a surprise, I suppose.”
    “Why’s that?”
    The other raised an eyebrow. “I believe I’m not sackcloth and ashes enough for Father Rhun Korza.”
    Jordan fought down a grin. “I can see how that would bug him.”
    Christian set the brandy in a tray near the door and leaned forward, his green eyes serious. “Actually Father Korza is the reason I’m here.”
    “He sent you?”
    Somehow Jordan couldn’t picture that. He doubted Rhun wanted anything more to do with Jordan. They hadn’t parted on the best of terms.
    “Not exactly.” Christian rested skinny elbows on his knees. “Cardinal Bernard is trying to keep it quiet, but Rhun has disappeared without a word.”
    Figures . . . the guy was hardly the forthcoming sort.
    “Has he contacted you since you left Rome in October?” Christian asked.
    “Why would he contact me?”
    He tilted his head to one side. “Why wouldn’t he?”
    “I hate him.” Jordan saw no point in lying. “He knows it.”
    “Rhun is a difficult man to like,” Christian admitted, “but what did he do to make you hate him?”
    “Besides almost killing Erin?”
    Christian’s eyebrows drew down in concern. “I thought he saved her life . . . and yours.”
    Jordan’s jaw tightened. He remembered Erin limp on the floor, her skin white, her hair soaked with blood.
    “Rhun bit her,” Jordan explained harshly. “He drained her and left her to die in the tunnels under Rome. If Brother Leopold and I hadn’t come upon her when we did, she’d be dead.”
    “Father Korza fed upon Erin?” Christian rocked back, surprise painted on his face. He scrutinized Jordan for several seconds without speaking, plainly floored by the revelation of this sin. “Are you certain? Perhaps—”
    “They both admitted it. Erin and Rhun.” Jordan folded his arms. “I’m not the one lying here.”
    Christian raised his hands in a placating gesture. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to doubt you. It’s just that this is . . . unusual.”
    “Not for Rhun it’s not.” He put his hands on his knees. “Your golden boy has slipped before.”
    “Only once. And Elizabeth Bathory was centuries ago.” Christian picked up the glass of brandy and studied it. “So you’re saying that Brother Leopold knew all about this?”
    “He certainly did.”
    Apparently Leopold must have covered for Rhun. Jordan felt disappointment, but not surprise. The Sanguinists stuck together.
    “He fed on her . . .” Christian stared at the glass as if he might find the answer there. “That means Rhun is full of her blood.”
    Jordan shuddered, disturbed by that thought.
    “That changes everything. We must go to her. Now.” Christian leaned over and rapped on the partition to gain the driver’s attention. “Take us to the airport! At once!”
    Instantly obeying, the driver accelerated the car, its bottom scraping when it crested a hill and headed out of the cemetery.
    Christian glanced to Jordan. “We’ll part ways at the airport. You can get home from there on your own, correct?”
    “I could,” he