Vampire Betrayed (Vampires Destined) Read Online Free PDF

but he’d felt something when they were together. And remembering their nights together, she had to believe those same feelings would prevent him from hurting her.
    When Ariana didn’t respond, Charon prompted with more than a healthy dose of irritation. “Dear, please try to focus.”
    “Do we really have to discuss this now?”
    “I’m afraid we do. I have sources that help me track down the vampires, most of them mortal so I don’t let them get too involved. They provide information that usually leads me to the targets.” Charon crossed her legs in a perfectly delicate fashion, but nothing about her said delicate. “At any rate, a source told me Joaquin is actively looking for you.” She leaned forward and touched Ariana’s hand. “Why do you think he would be looking for you if not to harm you?”
    Ariana had to wonder that herself, but she didn’t want to question Joaquin. She wanted to remember what they’d shared, nurse her pain, and eventually manage to move on with her life. She couldn’t do that if this woman kept trying to convince her Joaquin was determined to kill her.
    “I really don’t want to talk about this, Charon.”
    Fine eyebrows arched. “Do you think you have all the time in the world?” When Ariana didn’t respond, Charon pushed on. “You know what Joaquin is now, and that’s risky for him. He has taken great pains to disguise his identity from humans. Otherwise, he could become the hunted. So it stands to reason that Joaquin never leaves witnesses, and if you think you’ll be the first, well, then you’re just making yourself an easy target.”
    “I can’t just condemn him based on a few pictures.” Ariana wasn’t sure if she could ever condemn him. What they’d had, it must have meant something to Joaquin, or he would have killed her right away. Wouldn’t he? No, Charon said he’d had other lovers, but why did he tell her who he was? He could have left without her knowing the truth.
    “Was the necklace not enough proof for you? You’re wearing the very same one he took off of one of his victims.”
    “And how do I know those pictures weren’t doctored for my benefit?”
    As Charon’s eyes flashed, for a brief moment Ariana thought she might have pushed the woman too far, but then her face softened. “You want further proof? Very well. I didn’t want to have to do this, but you’ve given me no choice.” Catching hold of Ariana’s hand, she brought her to her feet. “Go look out the window.”
    Unsteady legs carried Ariana across the carpeted floor. “What am I supposed to see?” She hesitated as one hand curled around the edge of the curtain.
    “You will see the truth.”
    Her heart pounding, she moved the curtain aside. The glare of the sun made her wince, but it soon faded, replaced by a swath of darkness as though all light had been ripped from the sky.
    Before she could ask Charon what was happening, a thin sliver of light broke over the ground below, the moon glistening across the dew-laden grass. Blinking several times, she held her breath as she waited, wondering what it was she was supposed to see. And how she was seeing it.
    Ariana shivered as a cloaked figure emerged from a thick mist. The way he walked, moved, she’d recognize him anywhere. “Joaquin!” She didn’t even realise she’d cried his name until Charon came to stand beside her, placing one hand on her shoulder.
    “He can’t hear you, my dear. This is what happened last night.” Her lips twisted into a smile Ariana caught out of the corner of her eye. “A replay of sorts. I wanted to prevent you from seeing this much of reality, but you insisted on seeing his true nature.”
    The rapid tapping of her heart nearly drowned out Charon’s words, and all Ariana could do was focus on the scene unfolding below her.
    The grass gave way to a paved street, and beneath the glow of a streetlamp, Joaquin stood, barely moving. He blended with the night until the sound of high heels clicking