Underworld: Blood Enemy Read Online Free PDF Page B

up the pace of their forced march.
    Lucian had no regrets.
    At least, he thought, her child will grow up civilized.

Chapter Three

    CASTLE CORVINUS

    Castle Corvinus loomed before them, its familiar turrets and battlements thrusting upward at the night sky. An imposing stone fortress, the castle was built atop a rocky crag overlooking the forest below.
    The light of myriad torches and lamps shone through the castles lancet windows, making the stronghold appear to glow from within. Crimson pennants, the color of freshly spilled blood, streamed above the watchtowers.
    Home at last, Lucian thought as the hunting party marched up the well-trod road toward the castles front gate. The ground sloped away steeply from the path on both sides, permitting only a single avenue of approach to the castle. Dense woods surrounded the forbidding granite peak on all sides.
    Sentries posted outside the gatehouse and upon the crenellated battlements overhead cheered at the return of Lady Ilona and her troops. Their welcoming cries grew louder and more exuberant as they spied the long line of lycan prisoners shambling between the triumphant Death Dealers.
    A deep chasm, one that descended farther than any human being could fall and live, was surmounted by a drawbridge that led straight into the fortified stone gatehouse. A raised portcullis hung over the entrance, its iron fangs guarding the mouth of the castle.
    Weary from the night’s strenuous activities, Lucian was looking forward to a warm meal, followed by several hours of sleep on his humble mattress in the servants’ quarters. It was the lycans’
    responsibility to guard the fortress during the daylight hours, but under the circumstances, he doubted that anyone would object if he slept late that morning.
    Lucifer’s hooves clattered on the wooden drawbridge as Lady Ilona led the procession into the castle proper. Beyond the gatehouse, the way opened onto a spacious courtyard paved with weathered clay bricks. High limestone walls looked down on the courtyard, which faced the great hall of the vampires themselves. The heraldic symbol of the Corvinus family—a raven gripping a ring in its beak—was emblazoned above the main entrance of the hall. A wooden belfry rose from the slate-covered roof.
    A lycan stableboy clad in simple woolen attire, hurried forward to assist Lady Ilona, who dismounted gracefully and handed Lucifer’s reins to the servant. “See to it that he is properly fed and groomed without delay,” she instructed.
    “Yes, milady,” the stableboy replied, keeping his gaze respectfully fixed on the ground. He led the steed away toward the nearby stables, which were built against the inner walls.
    Chimes rang out from the bell tower atop the great hall, warning that dawn was but an hour away. A flock of bats flapped overhead as the squeaking night flyers began to return to their roosts in the belfry.
    “Well, a good nights work,” the lady pronounced with satisfaction. She turned toward one of her lieutenants, a Death Dealer named Istvan. “Send word to Marcus that the lycan renegades have been dealt with severely. With the Awakening drawing nigh, I would not have his mind troubled by such petty annoyances.”
    “As you wish, milady,” Istvan said, departing instantly to carry out her wishes. A carrier pigeon would convey the lady’s message to the Elder ere long.
    Before Lady Ilona could issue another command, the door of the great hall swung open, and a vision of surpassing loveliness came running out into the courtyard. Lucian’s eyes widened, and his heart leaped at the sight of a beautiful vampire maiden clad in a flowing damask gown.
    Shimmering golden hair tumbled down onto her shoulders like the sunshine she had never known, and a gilt circlet rested gently on her head. Chestnut eyes gazed from a snow-white face that surely rivaled the greatest beauties of myth and history. A crest-shaped pendant, centered around a polished turquoise gemstone, dangled