The Sanction Read Online Free PDF Page A

produced a scowl. Amarinda
closed her eyes the moment he turned his back to hustle away. If
she had to die, she did not want an audience.
    It seemed like hours later voices
tapped into her awareness. Graeme’s scent was overpowering, and for
an insane moment she clung to the idea of the comfort it was
supposed to bring. Rhys was at the doorway again, his voice rose.
She winced, wishing for death, needing to feed.
    “ This is madness,” he was
saying heatedly. “You should kill her, return her, or put her in
the dungeons where her screams cannot be heard. Hand her over to
the men and let them seek retribution the way only the horde would.
It has been days Graeme. There are rumors that the vampires have
evolved. If something is not done soon, talk will sweep the masses.
When the majority finds out that you have kept her here under lock
and key, you will have an uprising on your hands.”
    “ She must stay alive for
what I have planned.”
    “ She needs sustenance to
live.”
    “ What would you have me do?
Offer my own people as food?”
    “ If there is no means to
feed her then behead her. There is no possible way she can survive
that.”
    Panic forced a soft whimper to escape
through her closed throat. She heard a grunt and the slamming of
the heavy door. For a long time all was silent, and when the slow
stride of footsteps announced his still present form, she forced
her eyes open wider still. Graeme turned his contorted features
toward her and grumbled something beneath his breath.
    “ My general is of the
opinion that I kill you and be done with it, but I have other plans
for you.” He towered above her prone form and sliced his palm
swiftly with a blade he had secured. The heated scent of his blood
assaulted her senses. Hot tears stung her eyes. He eyed her with
repulsion even as she parted her lips to receive the feast he
offered. It was thick and rich, and left a sweet aftertaste upon
her tongue. Already she felt her body beginning to strengthen – no
doubt an effect of the healing properties in his blood. She drank
until the burn in her stomach ceased, not daring to look at him
least she saw the disgust on his face. She did not dream to fight
him then. Even as she licked her lips clean and heard him snort as
he turned away, she did not allow her tears of shame to flow until
after he had left the room.
    ****
    The following morning Rhys paused on
the threshold and spotted her sitting silently in the sunlight. For
a moment he said nothing. When she turned to meet his gaze, he did
not allow his frown to fall away. “It is new to you,” he stated
simply.
    She cocked her head to consider him and
offered a tiny smile. Had he not so been adamant about seeing her
executed for the sake of the horde, he might have found that smile
charming. “Thank you for what you did yesterday,” she offered
weakly. Rhys shifted uncomfortably and feigned ignorance. “He was
informed so that I would be assisted, is it not so?”
    His eyes hardened instantaneously. “He
was informed in the hope that he would put a blade to your throat
and end your distress. I wish you dead more than any other,
vampire, but it is Graeme’s objective to ransom you. Do not thank
me. I am only seeking the well-being of the horde.”
    She considered his words carefully
before offering a genial nod. “Be that as it may, I am grateful.
And you can tell him that I would indeed need his services again
tonight, if he is available.” Rhys stiffened considerably. She
noted his countenance and her brows pulled together. “Isn’t that
why he sent you? To inquire about my needs?”
    He stepped away as if she were
contagious and eyed her before reaching for the door. “I would have
your head on a pike before I see him drained.”
    She simply nodded again and turned back
to the warmth of the sunshine. Rhys found Graeme contemplating the
weapons the blacksmiths were in the process of perfecting. Graeme
made a few last minute alternations to the drawing on