Dominant Species Read Online Free Page A

However, Karick had chosen to let him live, seeing something worth saving and from this strange beginning a fierce loyalty had developed. It was a loyalty that had grown ever stronger over the years and had seen the two of them face many enemies, standing together shoulder to shoulder. Now both trusted each other implicitly and each would give their very lives to protect the other without a moment’s hesitation.
    Although t he vampire council had been in existence for centuries, it had only been since the War that it had matured into something approaching a formal structure. Originally created to provide support and guidance to the head of the nation, the vampire Queen, it now ran what remained of New York, managing the various programmes required to make a city function.
    I n truth the Council had originally been designed to provide some element of control against the overbearing dominance of the Queen, who for years, before the Council’s inception, had become almost uncontrollable. Many thought she was insane, but none would speak those words out loud, or even think them in her presence. For centuries she had remained hell bent on starting a war with all of mankind, even though it would have meant certain destruction for the vampires themselves. It had been the council that had managed to resist her blood lust. But that was before the War. Before the destruction that had ended so much, including Man’s dominance on Earth. Now the Council had different priorities having been tasked with something that it had never imagined before - creating a society, one that could survive and prosper in what remained of the new world.
    As Overlord and head of the council , Karick had risen to the task. He was now feared and respected as one of the greatest vampire leaders of all time. However it was no secret that his leadership worried the Queen, many believing she felt threatened. And Karick knew that the Queen’s paranoia had been fed and capitalised on by some of his most determined enemies. Enemies who wanted to unseat him and take power for themselves.
    ‘You say that more humans have disappeared,’ Karick was saying to Voltan as he shook his head. ‘I think it’s time we had a word with the Mayor. In fact I think it is time that we call a meeting of the full council.’
    ‘I shall make the necessary arrangemen ts, my Lord,’ replied Voltan in a voice that was both deep and powerful.
    Suddenly t he doors behind them swung sharply open and both vampires span quickly, their jaws distended, their teeth bared.  Voltan’s eyes narrowed and he balled his fists. Behind him Karick relaxed, raising an eyebrow at the pale skinned vampire with long blond hair, his sallow skin stretched over his sharp features, as he entered the room.
    ‘What is the meaning of this interruption, Rodan?’ hissed Karick, before realising that the interloper was not alone.
    S tepping swiftly to one side Rodan bowed his head as a strikingly beautiful female vampire entered behind him. She was pursued by two more female vampires close behind. As she approached, both Karick and Voltan knelt before their Queen.
    Her dark hair was silken, lustrous and long. Her sharp features gave her an almost hypnotic beauty as she glided across the room. She was dressed in the richly embroidered and elegant clothes that belonged very much in a bygone era. Slowly she looked between the two bowed figures at her feet.
    ‘I apologise for the intrusion , Overlord Karick,’ she whispered without a hint at any conviction, ‘however Lord Rodan has informed me of terrible things that are of great concern. I understand that the unrest we spoke about before not only continues to grow, but that human stock is now vanishing as well. Lord Rodan also informs me that the council is starting to feel uneasy about the lack of progress in putting this to an end. What assurances are you able to offer me that might lessen my concern?’ She asked in a voice that was both powerful and