Forbidden Blood: A House of Comarré Novella Read Online Free

didn’t return his smile. “Find another way to give Arnaud what he wants.”
    “I intend to, but I am an alchemist, not a magician.”
    “Then how can I trust you? I can’t.” She stood and started past him. She’d find her room on her own. If she even stayed the night. Running seemed more and more like her only way out.
    His fingers wrapped around her arm. “Sit.” The gravity in his voice hadn’t been present before. “I will tell you the crimes Arnaud holds over my head.”
    She went back to her seat. “You would do that?”
    “It will earn your trust, no?”
    “Why do you care if I trust you?”
    His brows furrowed. “You ask much of me. So much explaining.” He shook his head. “I do not wish to spend four weeks with an angry woman. And I like the”—he waved his hand between them as he seemingly searched for words—“the easiness of speaking to you. Catarina does not want conversation with me. Or much else, for that matter.”
    “Why is she like that with you?” A comarré was supposed to provide companionship if her patron desired it.
    “Aren’t most comarré that way? Keeping to themselves when possible? I just assumed it was your way.”
    “Not if their patron wishes otherwise. If you don’t drink from the vein, how does Catarina maintain her youthfulness and her stamina? You know the bite works both ways.”
    “I said I rarely drink from the vein, not never.”
    “I see.” She nodded, wondering if Dominic had done something to Catarina or if Catarina just didn’t appreciate the patron she had in Dominic.
    “I like drinking from the vein very much.” His gaze flickered over her throat. “Do not mistake that.”
    She leaned back, raising her chin enough to give him a little more to stare at. “So, these crimes of yours. What are they?”
    He rested his face against his hand and stared directly into her eyes. “I am a killer.”
    “You’re a vampire. That comes with the position.”
    He inched closer and planted his elbows on his knees. The twinkle in his eye was unmistakably devilish. “ Si , but I kill other vampires.”
    She straightened. “You’re caedo ?” The word was rarely spoken aloud, but all knew and understood the role of the caedo . Even vampires needed assassins once in a while.
    A barking laugh answered her. “ Mamma mia , no! But I am honored you think me that dangerous.”
    “Then explain.” She felt far too comfortable around him, despite what he’d just confessed. Or perhaps because of it. A vampire who killed other vampires? Exactly just how different was he from the rest of the nobility?
    “There are those among us who grow weary of eternity. Those who lack the will to face the sun. I provide a gentler alternative. No pain, just one last, final daysleep.”
    “But it’s still breaking the rule all vampires live by.”
    “Thou shall not kill your brethren.” He nodded. “With this information, Arnaud could cause me to become anathema. Or worse.”
    “So you either do what he tells you to do—”
    “At your expense,” Dominic interjected.
    “Or lose everything.”
    He nodded. “Now you understand my dilemma.”
    “I do. And I thank you for sharing it with me. I will not betray that trust. And I believe that you are worthy of trusting as well.” She canted her head at him. “You are unlike any vampire I have ever known.”
    He smiled broadly. “Imagine what you’ll think of me in a few more days.” He stood and held out his hand to her. “It’s late. I’ve kept you up too long. I’ll show you to your room.”
    She took his hand and let him help her up, but then pointed to the untouched goblet of blood, now congealed. “I’m afraid I’ve ruined your dinner. Catarina will not be pleased.”
    “Catarina will never know.” He pushed both chairs in before offering her his arm.
    She looped her arm through the crook of his elbow, every moment becoming more surreal. “Are you like this with all your guests?”
    “Like what?” he asked