Midnight's Jewel (Siren Publishing Classic) Read Online Free PDF Page A

grocer advertised for at the backside of the block. Offices were listed on the directory for the second to fourth floors. Above those were apartments. The penthouse was occupied by a B. Thorpe.
    The elevator doors opened slowly. Sabrina and Clay stepped in as the couple inside stepped out. Sabrina stared out at the parking area, hoping to see Eleanor, without any luck. Clay pressed the button for the penthouse, and the doors began to close. A misty shadow suddenly filled the elevator car before the doors shut tight. Sabrina stifled a scream. The mist took the shape of a woman. It was Eleanor holding the gladius, her bow across her chest and arrows on her back.
    The elevator sped to the top. The doors opened to an entry hall lined with Gustav Stickly chairs and expensive artwork highlighted by track lighting. The walls were covered with a creamy damask paper that allowed the bright colors of the artwork to stand out. At the end of the hall was an elaborate carved mahogany door. The brass handle and backplate looked Victorian.
    Clay inhaled deeply and stiffened at Sabrina’s side. He squeezed her hand hard enough to make her wince. Eleanor strode forward and rang the bell. When the door opened, Sabrina gasped. Heat flooded through her body, touching places she never knew existed. A flutter began deep in her core. It was as if, for the first time in her life, her soul said, “Ah-ha, there you are!” She could feel her cheeks flush and knew she was in full blush.
    Here stood a well-dressed man in his late twenties in a gray pinstripe suit. Broad shoulders and a toned chest tapered down to a small waist under his white dress shirt. His hair was artfully sculpted into tussled spikes. His features spoke of a Sicilian ancestry, a strong, square jaw and Romanesque nose. His eyes were a dark brown rimmed in long, equally dark lashes. The dark coloring should have been accompanied by an olive complexion. Instead, it made his pale skin seem alabaster white. He flashed his fangs at Eleanor when he grinned at them. This was no man. B. Thorpe was a vampire.

Chapter 4
     
    “Welcome to Atlanta, Eleanor. What brings you to visit us this fine evening?” His smooth, deep voice rolled over Sabrina’s skin. There was a slight Mediterranean accent buried in it. He must have worked hard to cover it up, to seem more local. It sent a surge of adrenaline through her. He must have noticed the scent. His eyes darted to her. It was like a predator homing in on its prey, either as something to eat or to fuck.
    Eleanor cleared her throat. “Um-hum. We need to speak in private, Brandon, if you don’t mind. It has been a long day. My niece is very tired.” She gave Brandon Thorpe a withering glare, daring him to continue gazing at Sabrina in such a manner. Her hand tightened on the gladius.
    Brandon’s eyes flitted down to her hand briefly and then back to her face. A smile spread across his. “Ever the watchful guardian, eh, Eleanor?” He gave a chuckle and stepped back. “By all means, do come in.” He gave an overly dramatic bow and gestured them inside.
    The interior was decorated in the same style as the hall. Expensive furniture from famous designers was accented with Persian rugs, Tiffany lamps, and colorful pillows. The neutral walls were dotted with lit paintings from a variety of time periods. A set of French doors opened to a wide balcony. Sheer curtains framed the doorway and fluttered in the hot evening breeze. Thousands of lights broke up the darkness. Some of them moved while others were stationary.
    Sabrina was fascinated. It was the first time she had seen a city larger than Asheville and never at night from a high-rise. She wandered to the open doors and watched the tiny red and white dots follow each other along the roadways. There was a good deal of talking going on behind her, but she did not bother to listen.
    Clay laid his hand on her shoulder, startling her. She put a hand over her mouth to hold in a yelp and moved it