ROMAN: Fury of Her King (Kings of the Blood Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

friend, had followed into battle countless
times, would have followed to Hell had he commanded it, was indeed returned
from the dead. Not a demon, not a specter, but something…more.
    Leaning forward, Romanus nodded, “Continue, please.”
    A knowing smile crossed Viktoras bearded face. “But of course.” He
cleared his throat. “We have become what is known as the Kings of the Blood.
We, along with others loyal to us and our cause, will form a fraternity unlike
any other, with the sole purpose of protecting those who cannot protect
themselves. I am known as the Unum, the One, and have been given command of our
kind.”
    “You, General, in this life as in the last, are my second and will
be known as the Sigontáro. Together, we will find those of like mind and
purpose and upon their acceptance, bring them into the brotherhood.” Again the
Commander paused and sipped from his cup, but the look in his eye said there
was much more to be said.
    Watching Viktoras stand, Romanus followed suit. “Walk with me.” He
opened the flap on their shelter and motioned with his free hand for the
General to exit. Securing the tent, the Commander joined him and they began to
walk across the cooling sand as the sun exited the sky.  “What we are
about to discuss will, at first, be difficult for you to accept. It goes
against all you were taught by the priests and their attendants in the temples,
but it is essential to what you have become and how you will live.”
    After almost a hundred yards of silence, Viktoras began again,
“The best explanation I can give you is the one I received from Zeus himself.
Our world is not simple. Everything, even gifts such as ours from the gods,
have a price. Ours is twofold. We died. Our hearts ceased to beat. Our lungs no
longer drew breath. We were buried beneath the earth for thirty days and rose
as the sun touched the horizon on the night of the thirty-first day, reborn and
functioning just as we had prior to our demise…with one vital difference. By
the power of Zeus that now runs through our veins, we were made immortal.”
    Stopping, the Commander turned towards Romanus and once again
looked at him with the intensity of battle. “Listen to me carefully and hold
your tongue until I have finished,” Viktoras commanded. “Although you will live
life as you always have, you will now also need to consume life’s essence once
every new moon.” The General opened his mouth to speak, despite the orders he
had received, to which his Commander held up his hand and continued to speak.
“This is the darkest night of the month at the darkest time of the night and
that is when you shall feed. It should be given willingly and accepted
gratefully. You will take only the smallest amount you need to replenish the powers
bestowed upon you and then, and this is very important, Romanus, you will leave
your donor unblemished.”
    Dropping his hand, Viktoras asked, “Do you understand?”
    Romanus nodded, then asked, “I must drink blood to survive?”
    “Yes, and you must not kill to do it. If you do, your life will be
forfeit. Zeus’ great lightning shall strike you down where you stand and the
ash of your remains be blown to the four winds.”
    “It is not that,” the General paused, unsure how to ask his next
question without causing offense, then simply blurted out, “how are we not kin
of those of the Underworld?”
    “Your confusion is understandable but unfounded. Have you not
listened to what I have said? Your existence and mine are blessed by Zeus, the
God of the Sky and Ruler of the Olympian gods, and only he has the ability to
take it from us. Our mission is just, our lives a gift. Nothing nefarious will
come from us or of us. Do you understand, Romanus…truly comprehend?”
    The General thought for several moments. He looked inside himself and
found nothing evil; no demon or specter threatening his mind or heart. It was
as it had always been but with the addition of a growing strength