The Hunted Read Online Free PDF

Drake.
    “To survive,” he said.
    I stopped abruptly as his voice jarred me out of my thoughts. “Damn it! Get out of my head. I don’t want you there.” My shouts echoed and bounced off of the bare, slick walls.
    Surprisingly, Drake stopped and turned to face me, his eyes downcast and shameful. “I apologize. Since inheriting this gift from Yaqui. I forget when I am using it. It has become a part of me and you are right, I have no right to invade your privacy. Please, Silver, come with me.”
    Extending his hand toward mine, I gingerly accepted his offering of peace and followed him through another open door. This time, the door was ornate, ancient and the decoration looked vaguely familiar. The timber was heavy and looked to be oiled oak. I could faintly smell the remains of ancient resin that must have seeped from the pores when the master originally carved the wood.
    What I saw in front of me took my breath away. It was a large, furnished room without windows. A modern gas fireplace added warmth and the sparse light revealed a brocade-covered settee and an overstuffed couch. Stacks of books added to the charm of the room and an oak writing desk with chair sat in the corner. Numerous leather bound diaries sat piled high against the wall. The only thing out of the ordinary was a small metal bar fridge that hummed quietly as I glanced around the room.
    “What is this place?” I wondered aloud, forgetting Drake was standing close behind me.
    “Welcome to my lair,” he answered ominously.
    A shiver ran down my spine as I thought of the prospect of being alone in this vampire’s domicile.
    Drake’s face broadened with laughter as he shook his head at my momentary terror. “Please,” he said in a soft, disarming voice. “I promise no harm will come to you here; especially from me. We need one another whether you want to admit it or not.”
    I moved slowly around the room, taking in the feel of the place. I closed my eyes and I could almost see Drake writing his memoirs at the old oak table. I could feel the slow and steady beat of his heart as he relaxed and hid here from the prying eyes of the world.
    “Perhaps I seem less of a monster now?” he asked.
    “Where can I sleep?” I answered flatly. I was not ready to concede.
    “You can avoid the question for now. Behind that door are two rooms. Take your pick. If you are hungry feel free to feed.”
    Drake pointed to the small silver fridge and turned his back to me. “I have to wash up, I feel incredibly grimy. Do what you will. We will talk in a few hours.”
    Before I could speak, I watched as Drake turned away and walked through an open door at the farthest end of the room. I assumed it was some kind of bathing area. I let him go in silence.
    My hunger got the best of me. It had been hours since I fed on the Toltec Queen’s blood and I could feel my thirst rising. I gingerly reached down and opened the small bar fridge, inside lay multiple bags of cooled, ruby-colored blood.
    I sat cross legged in front of the fridge and drank deeply from the first bag I could grab from the shelf. The blood within was cold, yet tasted almost sweet and although I was tired I could not help but feel renewed. It wasn’t an ideal feast but, for now, it would do.
    After drinking my fill, I closed the fridge and sat quietly in the dimly lit room. I could hear nothing; my mind was quiet, which was an odd sensation for a vampire of any age.
    I don’t know how long I sat before opening my eyes and stretching my arms and legs out in front of me. I felt as refreshed as if I had slept for days but I stank of dried blood and dirt. Has Drake finished bathing? I wondered as I stood up, yawned, and stretched again. I walked quietly toward the door I had witnessed Drake open and enter but I had yet to see or hear him return.
    I placed my hand on the door handle, my heart pounding with anticipation. What was behind the door? What would I find?
    After taking a deep breath, I slowly opened