Lover's Betrayal: Misfits of the Lore Series Read Online Free PDF

see how much he hates you being here? Don’t delude yourself, Livy, you really are alone.”
    “Earth to Livy.” Olivia did not respond. Corinne grabbed her and gently shook her. Olivia looked even paler. “Olivia, where are you?”
    A startled Olivia looked at Corinne as if a stranger was standing in front of her. Then she closed her eyes and reopened them, acknowledging her best friend. The voice was quiet again. Lately that malicious voice invaded her thoughts, spewing its cruel words. Olivia wondered if she were finally losing her mind. Was this the vampire equivalent to schizophrenia? “I’m sorry. I was lost in thought. What did you ask me?”
    Corinne’s look of concern remained, but she didn’t want to make Olivia more uncomfortable. “It’s best we go inside and get something to eat. I think you need to eat.”
    “You’re right. Food and blood are just what I need. It has been a long day and in anticipation of our arrival here, I didn’t eat anything. I was so anxious about coming and I couldn’t focus on sustenance. Before you yell at me, I admit that was stupid and I will be smarter about these things going forward. Can we avoid the lecture and go inside?”
    Julian stood at the door, waiting impatiently for his mother and Olivia to join him in the house. After a few moments, Corinne and Olivia followed him. As always, Corinne had to have the last word. “I know something is not quite right with you, Livy, and I’ll find out what it is. I promise you that.”
    “You’re making a big deal out of nothing. This is a stressful situation for me. I have been here five minutes and Julian already wants to get rid of me. I’m doing the best I can under the circumstances. There’s nothing more nefarious going on, I assure you. Stop looking for something that’s not there.”
    “No, you’re playing me for a fool. Don’t let the blonde hair fool you. I’m do dummy. I know you too well. You can fool others, but not me.”
    “I would never try to fool you. I know it’s a lost cause. Stop lecturing me and let me eat, ok?” Corinne did not respond and her silence made Olivia even more uneasy.

    II
    Olivia and Corinne stood in awe of Julian’s house, both shocked that the haunted mansion possessed such inner beauty and warmth. Neither should have been surprised that this house was extension of the owner – a mirror of Julian’s personality. The warm, gentle, kind boy hid behind a façade of coldness and distance.
    The interior of the house was as bright as the exterior was dark. The parlor resembled a museum. The furniture looked like it was taken from Louis XIV’s palace at Versailles. The walls were opulently adorned with rare artwork depicting various historical events, including the Crusades, the French Revolution, the destruction of the plague, and the numerous European wars. Julian had always been a historian, collecting rare treasures from wherever he travelled.
    “Your house should be on The History Channel,” Corinne commented. “This is absolutely amazing, and I don’t even like historical stuff.”
    Julian showed them to his study, which was much more modern with respect to the furniture, but the numerous bookcases on the wall displayed his collection of rare novels, including many first editions of classic works.
    Olivia shared her son’s love of books and could not help but marvel at all these classics. One book in particular caught her eye. It was a rare collection of poems by Edgar Allan Poe -- a collection that Olivia had purchased for her son when he showed an interest in literature. She never had much money, but Daughton gave her a stipend for personal expenses and she saved it up until she could afford this gift for Julian knowing this precious gift would give him such joy.
    “I can’t believe you still have this,” Olivia tearfully acknowledged.
    She used to read a poem or short story to Julian every night when he was a child. That was their special time together. A time