Shining in Crimson: Empire of Blood Book One (A Dystopian Vampire Novel) Read Online Free PDF Page A

contempt. Simon noticed that Ishan also had red eyes, yet the others did not.
    "We are pleased to meet you, Mr. Withers. Can I call you Simon?" he asked in a cold tone. The other vampires abruptly went quiet at the sound of his voice.
    "Indeed, sir, please do," Simon said shakily.
    "Sit down then," he said. Simon pulled out the only empty chair and sat down. The sweetness he had smelled was overpowering now. It seemed to emanate from the vampires. When he looked down at the table in front of him, he was surprised to see a plate of crab legs and butter sauce beside a large wine glass before him. He couldn’t smell the food over whatever aroma was coming from the vampires.
    "Please enjoy yourself. It is not often that we get to entertain humans," Ishan said. Simon was reluctant, but the vampires, all but Ishan, sat watching expectantly. So, he began by cracking open one of the legs and pulling out its meat. As he dipped it in the sauce and took the first bite, he noticed the vampires watching everything he was doing with great interest. All except Ishan. A couple of crab legs later and he noticed the lust in their eyes as they watched him. His stomach turned. After Simon had gulped down all the wine, Rachel picked up a bottle and winked at Simon and refilled his glass. At one point he stopped eating and looked around at their staring faces nervously.
    "Shall we get started with business?" he asked. The vampires only gave him dark looks and Ishan only sighed.
    "Please, finish first, Mr. Withers," Rachel said.
    Without a word, Simon started eating again. He had the distinct feeling that the vampires would be very angry and offended if he did not finish every last bite. They continued to watch him passionately. He even thought he saw Peter lick his lips out of the corner of his eyes. But, fearfully, he kept his eyes on the food he was eating and didn't stop to speak again until he had devoured the last bit of crab meat.
    "So, where should we start, gentlemen?" he asked, wiping his mouth with a napkin.
    Rachel coughed loudly and made an annoyed grunt.
    "I'm sorry, ladies and gentlemen," Simon corrected.
    "What's the matter Simon?" Rachel asked "Are you eager to leave?" she continued.
    "No. I'm just a get-down-to-business type of guy," Simon said and laughed timidly.
    "Oh, you are, are you?" she asked. He felt a cold foot slide up the instep of his right leg. "I like a get down... to... business... type of guy," she said as Peter and Stanislov laughed heartily. The foot was still moving up his instep and was now passing his knee, coming up to the inner side of his thigh. He went tense, and realized that as the foot moved closer to his crotch, he became more excited and repulsed, simultaneously. His excitement immediately turned to anger.
    "Get off of me, whore of Babylon !" he yelled at her in disgust. She stood up and hissed at him, neon light reflecting off of her exposed fangs. Peter and Stanislov were smiling with anticipation. Edgar looked concerned and Ishan appeared to be indifferent to the whole situation.
    "I would suggest you refrain from insulting us," Ishan said in a bored voice.
    "Yes, I would suggest that, too," Rachel whispered, glaring at Simon.
    "I'm sorry. But I won't put up with this sort of filthy sin being pushed upon me," Simon said.
    Ishan went to speak, but before he could, in a flash, Peter was on top of the table with his cold hand wrapped around Simon's throat, picking him up out of his seat by it. Simon was choking. He gasped for air as everything around him seemed to fade. He heard laughter from Rachel and probably Stanislov. Ishan seemed to be complaining in the same weary voice. Simon tried to pray inside his head but couldn't make the words in his brain with his oxygen being cut off more and more. He was aware he was now being lifted high above the table. Everything went blurry and he felt all the blood rush to his head. His vision cleared some. He could see in front of him a pair of upside down feet