Sophia Read Online Free PDF Page B

in bringing down these animals. The blood of my mate has earned me a place in the hunt.”
    Raphael heard the unvoiced desperation in his plea. Jeremy’s blood had not been enough to save Mariane’s life. That it was Raphael’s blood which saved her lessened the pain of his failure, because Raphael was master to every vampire in this compound, his power so far beyond theirs that it transcended description. But still, his failure to save his mate himself would sting. He could, however, avenge this attack on her.
    “Your assistance will be invaluable, Jeremy. You know the area and you know the people. And through you, your mate can tell us much about these creatures who dared attack her. On my word, Jeremy, they will pay the ultimate price.”
    Jeremy’s head fell to his chest, his long, dark hair covering his face before he raised eyes now brimming with gratitude. “Thank you, Sire.”
    Raphael studied his child carefully, noting the tension in his stiff gait as he climbed to his feet and took a chair nearby. He ached for Jeremy and would rather have spared him the retelling of the night’s awful events, but it was necessary. And far better that Jeremy tell him, than ask Mariane to relive it.
    Loren moved to sit next to Jeremy and began a low-voiced conversation. Cyn took the opportunity to lean close to Raphael’s ear and whisper, “Will he know what happened?” Her question was voiced softly enough that, even in a room full of vampires, it was for him only.
    Raphael responded in kind, saying, “Jeremy is young, but they’ve been mated a few years. His connection to her should be strong enough for him to have seen most of what happened. It will be enough.” He felt Cyn breathe out a sigh of relief next to him.
    “Jeremy,” Raphael said more loudly.
    The vampire immediately cut off whatever he’d been saying to Loren and faced Raphael.
    “My mate, Cynthia, will begin the questioning. She is a trained and experienced investigator, quite skilled in these matters, especially when it comes to humans. Her insight will be particularly helpful.”
    Cyn sat up straight, leaving a cool spot on his arm as she withdrew the warmth of her body. Raphael glanced up at her and caught a frown of concentration, followed by a gentle smile for Jeremy.
    “I’ll start with some questions about the events of that afternoon,” she said. “It will be painful for you, and I’m sorry. I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t absolutely necessary, please believe that. But every detail matters. You never know what might be the one thing that gives them away.”
    Jeremy nodded, swallowing nervously.
    Cyn leaned forward, her posture and gaze intent. “Okay, let’s start with the basics. Was Mariane home when these guys broke into the house?”
    He shook his head, his gaze haunted. “She was out. Our house is very secure, but they smashed through the back door with an ax. They must have hidden their vehicles and waited for her to return. I knew when she arrived home, I felt her presence—she always enters through the front door—and then I felt her terror. They grabbed her before she even realized they were there.”
    “Is Mariane normally awake during the day?” Cyn asked. “Forgive me if this is private, but . . . she doesn’t sleep with you?”
    “Most days she does, yes. But on some days, she remains awake to run errands. She shops in Cooper’s Rest, which is the small town near here, and on rare occasions she drives down to the city below. She buys food for herself and does whatever else needs doing. There’s the mail to be picked up, of course. And sometimes . . . sometimes Mariane simply wants to enjoy the sunlight.”
    Cyn nodded, and Raphael knew she would understand Mariane’s need for sunlight. It was the same reason Cyn kept her condo just down the beach from his estate. She didn’t live there anymore, but she still spent time there on occasion, sitting in the sunlight, walking along the water in the warm sand.
    Cyn