Night's Mistress (Children of the Night) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Mara had given him her blood, increasing his preternatural power, and allowing him to walk in the sun’s light. He was Rane’s grandfather and the head of the Cordova family. “No, I haven’t told anyone else.”
    Rane swore softly. “Maybe you should talk to him. He’s been a vampire a lot longer than I have.”
    “No.”
    “Why not?”
    “Because I’m . . . I’m too vulnerable.”
    “What the hell does that mean? You don’t think he’d . . .” Rane shook his head. “You don’t honestly think he would try to destroy you?”
    “No, but . . .” She crossed her arms over her breasts. “Like you said, he’s been a vampire a long time. We’re all predators at heart, Rane, and predators prey on the weak, even among their own kind.”
    “I don’t believe this! Dammit, Mara, you’re my godmother, and Abbey’s, too. We’re family. If you’re in trouble, you need help. I can’t give it to you, but maybe Roshan can.”
    “Maybe, maybe not.” She stared past him into the darkness. “When I was first turned, I heard an ancient legend that said if a vampire survived for a hundred years, he would be restored to mortality. I didn’t believe it, of course, and when I turned one hundred, nothing happened, but”—she lifted her troubled gaze to his—“what if it’s happening now?”
    “Is that what you think is going on?”
    “I don’t know!” She made a vague gesture with her hand. “What other explanation can there be?”
    Rane shook his head. “Beats me.”
    Seeing the fear in her eyes, he drew her into his arms. How could this be happening? Mara was the oldest, the strongest, of their kind. Was it possible she was reverting to mortality or, worse, dying? And if so, what had caused it? And what did it mean for the rest of them? Everyone knew vampires were virtually immortal. But what if they were wrong? If something like this could happen to Mara, it could happen to any of them.
    Mara took a deep, calming breath. “I should go. Savanah is waiting for you.”
    Rane glanced up at the house. Savanah stood at the bedroom window with Abbey Marie cradled in her arms. Even from a distance, he could see the curiosity in his wife’s eyes.
    “We haven’t solved anything,” Rane said. “Maybe you should stay with us for a few days.”
    Mara shook her head. “No.”
    “Dammit . . .”
    She cupped his cheek in her palm. “I’ll be all right.”
    “You’ll keep in touch? Promise?”
    “Of course. Don’t worry about me.”
    Rane grunted softly. “If you didn’t want me to worry, you shouldn’t have said anything.”
    “I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t mention this to anyone else, and that includes Savanah.”
    “Mara . . .”
    “Take care of yourself, Rane.”
    “Yeah, you, too.”
    She nodded; then, with a graceful wave of her hand, she was gone.
    Rane stared into the darkness. What would it be like, to not only consume mortal food again, but to crave it? How would he feel if he lost the urge to hunt? Would he miss it? What would it be like to keep the same hours as the rest of the world? It was obvious that Mara wasn’t happy about the prospect of being mortal again. He couldn’t blame her. He didn’t think he would be too keen on the idea, either, but then, being a vampire had been in his blood since birth; he couldn’t imagine any other way of life.
    With a shake of his head and a hope that Mara would be all right, Rane went into the house.
    Savanah was waiting for him in the kitchen. “Was that Mara? What’s going on?”
    “She asked me not to talk about it.”
    “About what? Is something wrong?”
    “Savanah . . .”
    “Oh, that’s not fair! She comes here in the middle of the night to tell you something, and you won’t share it. Was it bad news? At least tell me that.”
    “Oh, yeah,” he said, slipping his arm around her shoulders. “It was bad.”

Chapter Five
     
    Logan Blackwood stood on the corner of Sunset and Vine, his arms crossed over his chest as he