Drawn to the Vampire (Blood and Absinthe, Book 4) Read Online Free Page A

Vice-Chancellor was finally starting to feel his age, which God knew was long overdue. Regardless, Merton’s “intimations” were the least of his worries. No. What was troubling him now was something much closer to home: namely, his own growing boredom and restlessness.
    When he first came to Snowdon University he thought he’d found the perfect place to stay until he could succeed in his quest. The quest that no one, not even Merton, knew anything about.
    But years had gone by since then and he was no closer to his goal. His heart’s desire was as far out of reach as ever, and he was starting to believe it always would be. And he was still here at Snowdon, spending his nights grading undergraduate essays.
    Luke’s long strides soon brought him to the tower that housed his rooms and his personal library. He’d bequeathed the library, which included several priceless volumes, to the university on condition that it be placed here, on the bottom floors, and that he be given rooms in the same tower.
    Luke ducked his head to pass through the low doorway and began to climb the spiral staircase. The thud of his booted feet on the stone steps echoed dully in the hollow space, and the dim light cast by the sconces sent his shadow dancing crazily on the walls. He climbed quickly past the three library floors and went straight to the very top: the big round room under the witch’s hat roof.
    The windows in here were mere slits—perfect for his needs, of course. He’d had them shuttered from the inside so he could keep out the sun during the day, but also so he could open them at night to let in starlight and moonlight.
    He opened them now, even though the moon and stars were hidden behind a thick layer of clouds. It had, in fact, been so dismally gray today that he’d been able to walk outside with only his thick hooded cloak for protection. On sunny days he used a network of tunnels beneath the university to move from place to place.
    Until recently, Luke had been able to tolerate sunlight. Vampires were nocturnal, but sunlight wasn’t normally deadly to them.
    But thanks to his journey to the underworld—and an encounter he’d had there—the sun would now affect him the way human myths about vampires had always depicted. A few seconds of direct sunlight would burn him; minutes would destroy him.
    With Merton’s help he’d adapted to the change as best he could. The students and professors of Snowdon believed he suffered from a form of porphyria—which, of course, only added to his mystique.
    Luke paused to drop his leather jacket over a chair and to light a fire in the hearth. Despite his avowed intention of settling down with a book and a beer—which really were his most frequent evening companions—he found himself prowling restlessly around the room.
    Every object his eye fell on seemed to increase his discontent. There was the Gem of Fanor, displayed in a glass case now that he had no other use for it. The jewel had been obtained on that same journey to the underworld, at great cost as well as tremendous personal risk, and had been offered to Demeter in one of his many attempts to fulfill his quest.
    Offered…and refused.
    Nothing seemed good enough for that wretched woman—sorry, goddess . What did she want from him? What would she finally accept as sufficient payment for his request? What did it bloody take ? And why couldn’t she just tell him what it was so he could get it the hell over with?
    Just like a woman, really. Couldn’t make things simple. Had to turn everything into a big sodding mystery.
    His frustration rose with every step until he thought he might have to hurl something against the wall just to break the tension. He’d gone as far as picking up a glass paperweight when there came, of all annoying things, a knock at his door.
    “Bloody hell,” he muttered, gripping the paperweight.
    He knew he should calm down before he answered. It was either a student or a colleague, and even though