The Slayer Read Online Free PDF Page B

gift, and the other members of my kind, be wiped out by an archdemon lord intent on erasing their food supply from existence.”
    Winn flinched and swallowed hard.
    â€œRathe is bent on controlling everything he can to amuse his sadistic self, and he cares not what the casualties may be among the Darkin,” she added. She leaned forward, her hand curling around his, and found it callused and warm, even through the thin barrier of her glove. “If you could go back and prevent the loss of the person you loved, wouldn’t you do everything you could, no matter who or what you had to partner with?”
    Winn quickly pulled his hand from her grasp. “So this is personal to you.”
    She locked gazes with him. “In ways you cannot possibly imagine.”
    â€œBringing the Book back together is a bad idea. A concentration of power like that is too much temptation for any being—Darkin or mortal.”
    â€œIt is why we were instructed to seek your help,” the envoy interjected. “His Majesty believes that the Chosen can withstand the full power of the Book once it is reunited and bring about the prophecy. We have an airship waiting.”
    Winn glanced out the window, his eyes mirroring the dark depth of the desert sky at night. He was arrogant, boorish, and still a Hunter to the core no matter what he’d done for the last decade. Alexa tamped down her personal responses to the man who set her off in all the wrong ways.
    Their hopes all rested with Winchester Jackson and his brothers. If the Chosen couldn’t help them defeat Rathe, then they were outmatched before the battle could even begin. No matter how she personally felt about Mr. Jackson, it was her duty to get him back to His Majesty and assist however she could to help him recover the second piece of the Book of Legend. She took in a fortifying breath, even though her useless lungs didn’t require air.
    â€œWill you come with us, Mr. Jackson?”

Chapter 3
    Slouched back in his chair, Winchester Jackson stared into the middle distance, brooding, in stoic silence. But his body betrayed his agitation.
    Although he sat perfectly still and appeared composed, Alexa could hear the rapid, rhythmic susurrus of his blood coursing through his veins and the slightly elevated throb of his heartbeat.
    My gods, but he was enticing. Alexa pushed back the overwhelming desire to taste him. A man as rugged and strong as this would have an intoxicating vitality that would make a vampire positively drunk.
    You sound like a man with his first taste of vodka. Enric’s amused tone annoyed her.
    Hush, Enric.
    Mr. Jackson pulled at the ends of his handlebar mustache, making them curl in a dark smile. The moment his gaze flicked back and locked with hers, she saw that he’d made his decision.
    â€œBefore I’d agree to step aboard your ship, I’d need to set some conditions.”
    They both knew he was in no position to set conditions or dictate the parameters of what could and could not be done on board her ship, but she humored him. “Naturally.”
    â€œFirst. I get a secured cabin, with a locked door, to myself for the duration of the journey.”
    I thought you were being overly cautious to prepare such things ahead of time, but it seems you’ve anticipated him well . Enric’s voice echoed in her head.
    â€œSecond. No vampire feeds in my presence.”
    Alexa gave him a regal nod. Her people fed whenever the need arose. Whenever. Wherever. If he wanted to eat in the isolation of his room, she certainly wouldn’t stop him. But the request irritated her all the same. Didn’t he realize his presence was just as intrusive, just as galling to her and her children as their existence was to him? Even if he didn’t think himself a Hunter, he still was one down to the worn tips of his very American boots.
    â€œThird. I want your solemn oath that if a single mortal under my protection is harmed