Playing with Shadows Read Online Free Page A

a woman who can wield demon magic and who is currently under
the control of a demon.” Vlad declared with finality. “I am not
discussing this anymore.” The vampire turned to his favorite child
with a grimace. “I don’t want to hear anymore of demons from you
again. Understand Nicola?”
    She nodded her head once. It was enough
for Vlad. He turned on his heel and left from the room before she
could stop him. Christian suddenly flew to her side before she
realized what happened.
    “ What the-”
    “ You let him leave!”
Christian was obviously upset.
    “ Of course I did. This is
his home. He may come and go as he pleases.”
    “ I need his
help!”
    Nikki shook her head. “We can’t use any
help he might have given us before. He won’t do it now.”
    Christian’s silver-blue eyes looked at
her pleadingly. It almost broke the vampire’s heart to see how much
desperation was displayed on his face. “Please Nikki. You promised
you would help me.”
    “ That was before I found out
Carolyn was able to wield demon magic and by default, so is her
unborn child.” She snapped out angrily. She hated the feeling of
being used and Christian was using her.
    That exact thought was something Vlad
would say to her. Was she really becoming hard-hearted like her
Master?
    “ Nikki…”
    Christian’s voice appeared near her
ear. She lifted her eyes to meet his ethereal gaze. “Don’t do
this.” She practically begged him. Nicola knew she would give in if
he pleaded with her.
    “ I don’t have anyone else to
turn to.” Christian explained gravely. “You were my one and only
hope in this battle. If I don’t have you, then I’ve failed Carolyn.
I've failed her child.”
    Nicola closed her eyes so she couldn’t
see his face. She could feel her will crumbling beneath his
scrutiny. The nagging feeling that Christian wasn’t being totally
honest with her crawled into her mind. “Christian?”
    “ Yes, Nikki?”
    The vampire opened her eyes and
glowered in his direction. The ghost balked at the intensity of her
stare. “You keep leaving out a vital piece of information and I
refuse to continue on this mission until you tell me what is really
going on.”
    Christian’s expression turned
thoughtful though he still appeared anxious. He must have decided
Nikki had proven herself trustworthy because he began to speak.
“There is something different about this child. Something that
wasn’t like any of the others I’ve seen born and raised over the
centuries.”
    The partial explanation frightened
Nikki. “What are you talking about? Different how?”
    “ I wasn’t sure, but now I
know.” Christian’s visage floated away from her clearly distressed.
“It is almost my time.”
    “ Your time?” Nikki asked in
concern. “Christian- what is going on?”
    “ There is no need to be
alarmed.” He said in his most reassuring voice. His face said
otherwise however. “It’s just- Once the child is born, I will be
reborn.”
    “ Are you saying what I think
you are?”
    “ I will be given another
chance at a human life.” Christian smiled despite the gravity of
the situation. “I will be alive again, Nikki. Do you understand what this will
mean?”
    Nicola had a very good idea of what
that would mean. Christian was too interested in saving a possible
way to resurrect himself than what could happen if a child who
could kindle demon magic was born in the bowels of Hell. She
honestly had no idea what to expect, but she knew what she was
going to do. Sighing, Nikki gave the ghost a reproachful look. She
wasn’t sure if any of this would be a wise idea to pursue, but the
hope in Christian’s gaze was enough for her to give in to his
plans.
    “ How are we supposed to find
Carolyn?”

    ***

    Nicola found Vlad pacing around the
feeding room a few hours later. He was so lost in thought he hadn’t
even heard her enter. She cleared her throat in order to give him a
chance to speak before she told him why she was