Mira Read Online Free Page B

fangs.   “What did you expect?”
    “I guess, uh, I thought…”
    “You thought that I would rape you, then suck your body dry and leave you to die.”
    Mira swallowed.   “That’s not what I meant.”
    “Isn’t it?”
    “What happened to the others then?”   Mira couldn’t help but ask.
    Rillan’s dark blue eyes seemed to look into her.   “Do you really think you’re ready for that?”
    “I can’t think of anything else right now,” she whispered.
    Rillan’s eyes turned solid black, and his voice dropped to a deadly soft tone.   “I waited until they were lonely enough to come to me.   Then I seduced them.   I used them as long as they were willing.   When they couldn’t live with the idea of me any longer, regardless of how lonely they were, I offered them death.   The ones who accepted what I am, lived longer.   The ones who feared me died sooner.”
    “The ones who lived longer, why did they decide to die in the end,” Mira asked softly.
    “It’s easy enough for you to pretend that you’re happy and in love, until the druids give me an assignment.   Each of the ones who lived with me at length asked to die within days after I returned from an assassination.   Most live until the first night I chose to feed.”   The emphasis he put on feed sounded like a threat.
    “You mean you only have to... to... uh... feed,” she could barely say it, “when you choose to?”
    He exaggerated his smile, making his fangs stand out more.   “Not quite as simple as that.   I feed when I need to, or when I choose to.   Are you offering?”
    Mira shifted uncomfortably in her chair.   “I don’t know.   That’s what I was sent here for.   Does it hurt?”
    Rillan’s smile fell.   “The druids have failed me in this respect.   They were supposed to send me companions.   But their teachings seem, in recent years, to result in girls coming to me afraid of the hunger and unknowing of the rest of their duties.”
    Mira suddenly realized what was going on and was overcome with pity for him.   “You’re angry because you’re alone,” she said softly.
    “You are the clever one,” he said sarcastically.   “Did it never occur to your teachers that it seems I go through girls much more quickly of late?”
    Mira shifted uneasily again.  
    Rillan could hear the increase in her heart rate.   “What?”
    Mira jumped in her seat at his quick question.   “What?”
    He shook his head, as if he didn’t believe her response.   “Yes, what.   What exactly about my comment caused you to become nervous?”
    Mira’s eyes dropped.   “Oh.”   She sat a moment in thought.   She didn’t want to insult him anymore than she already had.   She felt so sorry for him at this point that she almost forgot she was frightened of him.   Almost.
    Rillan grew more annoyed, waiting for her response.   He stood up.   “I’m tired.   If you’ve had enough conversation for one night I’ll take my leave.”
    “No!” Mira stood up.   “Don’t go yet.”
    “Then answer my question.”
    Mira looked away from him again and walked over to the fire. Haltingly she said, “I guess they think that the, uh, deaths have increased because you’re growing more--”
    Mira heard his footsteps behind her.   “Bloodthirsty,” he asked, finishing her sentence.   She felt his breath on her neck.   “Cruel? Vicious?”
    Mira turned around to find herself face to face with him.   “Yes,” she blurted, suddenly feeling brave.   “Are you trying to frighten me?”
    He backed her into the fire hearth and pinned her against it, placing his hands on the mantle on either side of her.   “What advantage would I possibly have by frightening you?”
    She could feel the heat behind her and tried to push her way out of his arms, but he countered her movements and smiled at her, baring his fangs again.   Her eyes widened, still she pushed the fear down.   “I suppose that you would have the same