Malevolent (The Puzzle Box Series Book 1) Read Online Free
Author: K.M. Carroll
the blood that stained Robert's chest. "Brothers. Okay..." She did not sound convinced. "Because it looks to me like you were assaulting my boyfriend."
Her boyfriend? I glanced at Robert, who smirked and nodded.
When people speak of their heart sinking, the actual physiological reaction is the blood draining from the stomach, leaving it as pale as their face. This is what happened to me at that moment.
I had handled this dreadfully. But I drew a steadying breath and sought to control the waves of hate that rose inside me--I lacked all other emotion.
"I was leaving, anyway." Robert turned his back on the women and snarled at me, where they couldn't see. "You'll regret this."
I merely arched an eyebrow.
Robert climbed into his vehicle and roared out of the driveway.
"Nice gloves." Libby was painfully observant.
I curled my fingers to conceal the claws. "Simply beekeeping equipment. I'm sorry we disturbed you."
Libby's mother lowered the cellphone. "You're a beekeeper? What's your name?"
"Malachi Seren."
Libby mouthed, "Malevolent."
Observant and sarcastic. I was beginning to like her.
Her mother continued, "I'm going to speak to my husband about you. Brawling isn't tolerated at Blossom Ranch."
I dipped my head. "I assure you, ma'am, it won't happen again."
Unless my brother refused to halt his disgusting behavior.
I excused myself and strode back into the orchard. The women stared after me.
I thought I was incapable of emotion, but my sluggish heart beat faster, and warmth touched my cheeks. Assaulting Robert was the way of things--but I had never been scolded for it. Scolded! Like a common farmhand!
Of course, they had no reason to perceive me otherwise.
But the worst thing was that I had embarrassed myself in front of the girl I wished to heal. If he had been feeding on Libby, he would return. I had acted rashly.
Perhaps there are more subtle ways to free a vampire's victim from his clutches. But was I attempting to aid Libby from altruistic motives--or had her spunk and laughter appealed to my broken spirit?
Serve some--but love none. I am better off alone.
I returned to my hives and sat among them. The bees sang their shiver song, which was how they warmed the hives in cold weather. It comforted me, and slowly the negative emotions drained away. This is important, for negativity consumes life motes and increases the power of black, hungry death motes.
I leaned against Queen Victoria's hive and whispered, "Robert is here. Be alert."
"We shall spread the word," the colony sang. "This is a good place. We feel the life in the air and ground."
I nearly smiled. "It is a good place. Which is why it attracts predators."
Chapter 2
Libby
I took my meds, then napped until late afternoon. I had weird dreams about guys with claws, and broken glass sparkling on the ground.
When I woke up, the sun had broken through the fog, and had painted a golden square on the wall opposite my bed. I lay and looked at it for a while. My body seemed to sink into the mattress, with no strength to roll over. The morning's excitement had exhausted me--chilling myself in the orchard to see the bees and Mal, then Mal and Robert duking it out. I couldn't handle even that much excitement.
Maybe I'm going to die.
The thought passed through my brain like a ghost. My stomach clenched. Death--it gets everyone eventually. But I was only eighteen, for crying out loud! I wanted to go to college and get my agriculture degree. Heck, I wanted to visit Rome and Alaska and Australia. I couldn't do any of that if I kicked the bucket.
But I couldn't get well. The knowledge sat on me like a big fat cat I couldn't dislodge. After months of meds and bed rest and doctors, I was sicker than ever. They'd started me on the inhaler a few weeks ago because my lungs had deteriorated.
Like I'm slowly dying.
God, I cried silently, am I?
I grabbed my Bible from my nightstand and flipped it open. Naturally it fell open to Psalms, since that's
Her boyfriend? I glanced at Robert, who smirked and nodded.
When people speak of their heart sinking, the actual physiological reaction is the blood draining from the stomach, leaving it as pale as their face. This is what happened to me at that moment.
I had handled this dreadfully. But I drew a steadying breath and sought to control the waves of hate that rose inside me--I lacked all other emotion.
"I was leaving, anyway." Robert turned his back on the women and snarled at me, where they couldn't see. "You'll regret this."
I merely arched an eyebrow.
Robert climbed into his vehicle and roared out of the driveway.
"Nice gloves." Libby was painfully observant.
I curled my fingers to conceal the claws. "Simply beekeeping equipment. I'm sorry we disturbed you."
Libby's mother lowered the cellphone. "You're a beekeeper? What's your name?"
"Malachi Seren."
Libby mouthed, "Malevolent."
Observant and sarcastic. I was beginning to like her.
Her mother continued, "I'm going to speak to my husband about you. Brawling isn't tolerated at Blossom Ranch."
I dipped my head. "I assure you, ma'am, it won't happen again."
Unless my brother refused to halt his disgusting behavior.
I excused myself and strode back into the orchard. The women stared after me.
I thought I was incapable of emotion, but my sluggish heart beat faster, and warmth touched my cheeks. Assaulting Robert was the way of things--but I had never been scolded for it. Scolded! Like a common farmhand!
Of course, they had no reason to perceive me otherwise.
But the worst thing was that I had embarrassed myself in front of the girl I wished to heal. If he had been feeding on Libby, he would return. I had acted rashly.
Perhaps there are more subtle ways to free a vampire's victim from his clutches. But was I attempting to aid Libby from altruistic motives--or had her spunk and laughter appealed to my broken spirit?
Serve some--but love none. I am better off alone.
I returned to my hives and sat among them. The bees sang their shiver song, which was how they warmed the hives in cold weather. It comforted me, and slowly the negative emotions drained away. This is important, for negativity consumes life motes and increases the power of black, hungry death motes.
I leaned against Queen Victoria's hive and whispered, "Robert is here. Be alert."
"We shall spread the word," the colony sang. "This is a good place. We feel the life in the air and ground."
I nearly smiled. "It is a good place. Which is why it attracts predators."
Chapter 2
Libby
I took my meds, then napped until late afternoon. I had weird dreams about guys with claws, and broken glass sparkling on the ground.
When I woke up, the sun had broken through the fog, and had painted a golden square on the wall opposite my bed. I lay and looked at it for a while. My body seemed to sink into the mattress, with no strength to roll over. The morning's excitement had exhausted me--chilling myself in the orchard to see the bees and Mal, then Mal and Robert duking it out. I couldn't handle even that much excitement.
Maybe I'm going to die.
The thought passed through my brain like a ghost. My stomach clenched. Death--it gets everyone eventually. But I was only eighteen, for crying out loud! I wanted to go to college and get my agriculture degree. Heck, I wanted to visit Rome and Alaska and Australia. I couldn't do any of that if I kicked the bucket.
But I couldn't get well. The knowledge sat on me like a big fat cat I couldn't dislodge. After months of meds and bed rest and doctors, I was sicker than ever. They'd started me on the inhaler a few weeks ago because my lungs had deteriorated.
Like I'm slowly dying.
God, I cried silently, am I?
I grabbed my Bible from my nightstand and flipped it open. Naturally it fell open to Psalms, since that's
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