The Vampire's Kiss Read Online Free PDF Page A

blood lust that swirled in the depths of his eyes. He hadn’t fed that day, and the hunger was riding him hard. “I’m not playing.”
    He headed for the back door. Slade and his girl eagerly followed. He glanced over his shoulder. Savannah stood frozen on the dance floor, an expression of horror covering her lovely face.
    Good. She should be horrified. Her horror would send her running back home. Away from him.
    The thought didn’t please him as much as it should have.
    The crowd parted easily before him. In moments, he could see the back door, its metal surface gleaming dully in the poor florescent light. With one well-placed kick, he forced the door open, its hinges screeching in protest. He scanned the back alley. A stray black cat screeched and jumped behind a Dumpster.
    He smiled, turned to face his victims, and motioned to Slade. “Come here.”
    Slade stumbled toward him, almost tripping in his haste.
    “Don’t do this,” Savannah beseeched, walking slowly toward him. “Please, don’t do this.”
    He was surprised that she’d followed him outside. He would have thought that she’d run from the bar. From him.
    Apparently, it was going to take more to frighten her away.
    He stared down at Slade, and the man eagerly tilted his head to the side, arching his neck. William felt his incisors burn and lengthen. He looked at Savannah, and he smiled, showing his razor sharp fangs.
    “Don’t worry, Savannah. It won’t hurt him . . . much.”
    He lowered his head toward Slade’s vulnerable throat.
    “No!” Savannah screamed, shoving against his back. “Let him go!”
    William snarled and tightened his grasp on Slade. He wasn’t about to let his prey get away.
    “Don’t!” Savannah’s eyes were wide and luminous. Her nails dug into his back. “Just let him go.” She glanced quickly over at Slade’s frozen companion. “Let them both go.”
    He shook his head. “I can’t do that.”
    “Why?”
    He turned his head and let her see his burning stare. Let her see the beast that was within him. “Because I’m hungry . . .”
    Her lips trembled and her face became chalk-white. William expected her to run from the alley at any moment.
    She took a deep breath. “I can’t let you hurt him.”
    He arched a dark brow. “I have to feed.” He smiled. “I need the blood.”
    She pushed Slade back and stepped protectively between his body and William’s. Her gaze met his.
    “Then take mine.”
    Chapter Three
    My brother shares my secret, my torment. He will walk with me in the shadows, past the angels and past the devils. He will walk with me through eternity.
    —Entry from the diary of Henry de Montfort,
    October 31, 1068
    LUST FLARED THROUGH him at her bold offer. It was what he’d wanted, what he’d craved, since the first moment that he’d seen her.
    To taste her. To drink from her.
    It would be ecstasy to hold her body, to feel her breasts pressed against his chest. His body clenched at the thought.
    It would be heaven. Or, at least, as close to heaven as he would ever get.
    “Take my blood,” her soft voice entreated, tempted.
    The beast within him raged. He felt his control slipping.
    He’d intended to only drink lightly from Slade, taking just enough blood to get through until the next full moon. He’d also wanted to frighten the man, to punish him for daring to touch Savannah.
    And, he’d wanted to frighten Savannah, to force her to realize the reality of his existence. To force her to give up her crazed notion of becoming a vampire. Becoming like him.
    But it seemed that his plan wasn’t working. She wasn’t acting as he’d anticipated. And his hunger was growing out of control.
    “Leave,” he growled, and Slade and his blonde companion fled down the alleyway. They wouldn’t remember their encounter with him. He’d planted a strong compulsion in their minds.
    Now, Savannah was a different story. His compulsion didn’t work on her. She would remember their encounter tonight.