Crimson Moon Read Online Free Page A

neck with his palm, trying to smooth the hairs that had begun to prickle. The vehement way Ian defended Faelan was unsettling. As far as Ramiro knew, Faelan had deserted Ian and the rest of the fae and vampires at around the same time Morwyn was exiled to Tartarus . “If Faelan feels so strongly for the sword, why do you have it?”
    “It was a gift,” Ian said defensively. “Not that I need to explain myself to you.” Ian sniffed indignantly. “Tell Neo to forget the sword. It has nothing to do with this mess.”
    Ramiro’s eyes narrowed. Was he being given an order? He’d sworn allegiance to Ian long ago, but how could he try and convince Neo of something he didn’t believe himself? Better to think about it, he told himself. He bowed in respect for his king. “What shall I tell Neo about the meeting he’s requested?”
    “If you assure him about the sword, there will be no need for a meeting. Am I right?”
    “Very well. I’ll do my best.” Ramiro turned and left the room before Ian’s ardour returned. Fuck! He shut the door between rooms, unsure of what to do. Faelan . What part did the Creator’s sword play in the upcoming war, or did it?
     
    * * * *
     
    Gunnar was in bed, asleep, when a touch to his chest woke him. His fangs slid from their sheaths as he lunged towards the threat.
    “Control yourself!” Ramiro yelled as Gunnar knocked him to the floor, landing on top of him.
    Blinking, Gunnar stared down at Ramiro. He released the hold he had on Ramiro’s neck. “What’re you doing sneaking up on me?”
    “I needed to talk to you,” Ramiro whispered.
    The confused expression on Ramiro’s face said it all. Gunnar swallowed around the lump in his throat. “What happened?” He slid off Ramiro to sit on the floor next to him.
    “I’m worried.”
    Although Gunnar hadn’t known Ramiro for long, he’d never seen the vampire so unsettled. “What about?”
    Ramiro sat up and rested his forearms on his bent knees. “I’m being put in the middle of two leaders. One I’ve sworn allegiance to, and another I have the utmost respect for.”
    “Neo and Ian?” Gunnar knew Ramiro was supposed to set up a meeting between the two.
    “Ian won’t discuss the sword. He said it was a gift from Faelan and had nothing to do with Morwyn .”
    “But you don’t believe him?” Gunnar ducked his head, trying to make eye contact with Ramiro. He wanted to reach out and offer comfort, but knew it would only lead to trouble.
    “I don’t know what to believe. Faelen’s like this God of mystery. He hasn’t even been seen or heard from since vampires came into existence. So it begs the question, is Ian telling the truth or is he lying to me because he knows I can’t verify his answer?”
    Out of nowhere, Ramiro growled and reached for the bed. He pulled a blanket to the floor before throwing it over Gunnar’s lap.
    Gunnar settled the blanket around his waist. His state of undress had been the least of his worries since Ramiro woke him. Although he refused to apologise, it was nice to know his nudity affected Ramiro even at a time of obvious distress. “Well, you’ll have to tell Neo Ian refuses to meet with him.”
    “That’s why I feel stuck in the middle. Ian didn’t out-and-out refuse. He just told me to assure Neo the sword had nothing to do with Morwyn . I’ve sworn my allegiance to Ian, but if I do what he ordered me to do and it turns out he’s lying, Neo will have my head.”
    “Why didn’t you just ask Ian point-blank if he was planning to meet with Neo?” Gunnar asked.
    “Because I had to get the hell out of his room before he made me fuck him, alright?” Ramiro barked.
    Gunnar leant forwards, nose to nose with Ramiro. “He makes you fuck him?”
    “I… He…”Ramiro sputtered. He took a deep breath. “Several times a year he wants me to fuck him. It was never an issue before…”
    “Before?” Gunnar prompted.
    “Before I met you.” Ramiro stood. “I’ll figure it out. Go on