The Bite of Vengeance Read Online Free PDF Page A

all looked shocked, sinking back into their bow as if they wished nothing more than to serve.
    Maria, who was smiling, had not moved a muscle during his rage.
    â€˜You want respect, do you?’ she whispered sweetly.
    The three cardinals now looked put out by her genuine friendliness.
    â€˜Yes! You claim to grant us a gift greater than any the Lord could give us. No gift is worth this risk!’
    Maria looked at Roconn, who gave a small nod. She turned back to face the three cardinals and rose slowly from her throne. They retreated a few paces as she began creeping towards them. Then, in a split second, she flew towards the cardinal who had spoken, and grabbed him around his neck. She held him against the wooden doors with her stone-like arm, so that his feet were off the ground.
    â€˜Respect is earned, not demanded,’ she whispered, still smiling.
    The cardinal looked terrified and immediately started to recite the Lord’s Prayer. ‘Our Father, who art in heaven-’
    â€˜Enough!’ shouted Maria.
    Her voice rang through room, creating a dense silence. Then, she bit him, injecting him with venom. It killed him instantly.
    Her eyes filled with power as she drank, until not a drop of blood was left in his body. At this point she turned away from him, blood now running down her chin, and let the body fall to the concrete floor with a thud. Roconn smiled at Maria, who returned it warmly. He then faced the other two cardinals, both of whom were now quivering with fear at the sight of the fat, dead cardinal. Roconn stood slowly and, just like Maria, rushed at them, holding them by their necks. They squirmed, suspended in mid-air, gasping for breath as Roconn leant in a little and whispered to them.
    â€˜This is what you wanted? I could have given you my power. But no, your impatience could not be kept under control. You brought this upon yourselves.’
    â€˜Please! No, my lord! Won’t- happen- again.’ stammered a choking cardinal.
    â€˜I know it won’t,’ replied Roconn.
    With this, he threw them both at the wall in front of him. Their heads made a sickening crunch before landing in a heap on the floor, blood spilling from their noses and mouths, and a look of terror on their faces.
    Roconn addressed the remaining cardinals. ‘Now, if you do not have any more queries, you may leave.’
    They got up at once and went towards the wooden doors. These were being held open by the strange man who, at Roconn’s words, had once again appeared out of nowhere. The cardinals each said a word of thanks, and bowed to both Maria and Roconn, before exiting. Not one of them paid the three, dead, cardinals any notice. The doors swung shut behind them. The strange man had gone again, leaving Maria and Roconn alone in the hall.
    They walked, almost in unison, towards the two dead bodies. Roconn bent down and sank his fangs deep into one of the cardinals’ carotid arteries. At once he began to feel stronger. The warm blood was thick and it tasted good. It soothed the burning in his throat in the same way a glass of crisp, chilled water would relieve a parched man in the desert. He drank more and more until he was sucking nothing but air. Roconn could feel the power flowing into his iron muscles. The blood of a human was very satisfying. He stood up, blood started to trickle down his chin.
    â€˜You may dispose of the bodies, Reyjak. I saved one for you,’ added Roconn.
    He spoke, seemingly, to thin air. But as he turned around, there stood the mysterious man named Reyjak. Now his face could be seen from the light of a nearby sconce, he looked impressive. Reyjak was muscular, and had a bit of stubble on his face. It suited him, giving him the look of a very powerful man. When he spoke, his voice sounded deep and intimidating, yet full of respect for Roconn. He was fully aware of the extent of Roconn’s power, and knew he was not to be trifled with, especially so soon after