Fledgling (The Vampire Manifesto, Book Two) Read Online Free Page A

know who you are, but I’m calling the police if you don’t release me at once.”
    Connor rolled his eyes. “Go ahead.”
    “What?” Girard somewhat taken aback.
    “Call them. Please do.” Connor replied. “In fact, here, I’ll do it for you.”
    Connor pulled out his cell, pressed speaker, then dialed 911, yet nothing transpired. There was nothing but static on the other end. Girard reached into her purse, her hand trembling, virtually knocking out its entire contents on the tabletop as she rummaged for her phone. She dialed 911 as well, yet the result was identical, nothing but static interference.
    “I don’t…” Girard was stuttering, unexpectedly terror-stricken. “I don’t understand.”
    I could ascertain the dread in her eyes and it made me thirsty.
    “Madison, please, help me.” She beseeched.
    I refused speak, instead snatching the Champagne decanter of blood by the neck, ignoring the crystal glasses altogether and downing the contents.
    “You see…” Connor indicated to the room around us. “This locality has been baptized the Red Room. It has precise dimensions and qualities about it, most of which I’m going to divulge to you now. First off, there are numerous frequency jamming mechanisms built into the walls and ceilings, which in effect, render cell phones inactive.”
    She was about to make a run for it. I could perceive it in her body movements, the way her muscles tensed up in her neck and shoulders. Nothing audacious mind you, just miniscule movements, but adequate enough for my Vampire eyes to distinguish.
    “I’d snap your neck before you even made it to the door.” Apparently, Connor detected it as well.
    I could discern her starting to body relax, though not by much. Connor seemed just a little too tranquil. I could tell he was enjoying this. He took pleasure from her fear, celebrated in her anxiety.
    Is this my future? Is this what I’m predestined to become?
    Better yet, is this what I am already?
    “Now I’m going to ask you some questions, okay Staci?” The enthusiasm on Connors face when he said this made me nauseous. Only because it emulated my own countenance.
    “Okay.” Girard was analyzing me, imploring with her eyes for my assistance, yet all I could do was smile in anticipation.
    “Why were you following me?” He asked.
    “Why were you following us?” I amended.
    My manner took Connor by surprise, more so than it did my Principle. I was getting stimulated; I could feel the blood in my body began to hasten, generating heat that made my skin tingle.
    “If you lie to us Principle Girard, well…I just think that it would end very badly for you. Very, very badly.” My pitch was even, but my emotions were in disarray. I didn’t want her to tell the truth. I wanted her to lie. Just the notion of killing her sent little orgasmic shudders across my flesh.
    “Uh oh.” Connor laughed. “Looks like you got a case of bad cop, worse cop.”
    I wanted to bound across the table and rip out her heart. “Do you understand why they call this place the Red Room, Principle Girard?”
    Connor looked at me skeptically. “Do you?”
    “This is where you can go and kill someone.” I finished. “It’s a privilege that the members of the 20twelve Lounge pay dearly for.”
    Connor seemed astonished. “Huh…well I guess you do.”
    “Oh my God.” Girard sobbed to herself, tears streaking down the side of the face.
    “I am a member.” I added. “Do you comprehend what that means Staci? Do you understand that I am a member of the 20twelve Lounge and you are sitting in the Red Room with me? Do you understand that every single person in this establishment pays for this amenity? Do you understand that there is no one here that would come to your aid?”
    She just sat there, crying, incapable of speech. It made me want to caress her, hold her close to me and whisper in her ear that everything was going to be okay. She wasn’t old, no, not by far, twenty-six max. I always