Raphael Read Online Free

vault door, slaughtered the human guards here at the house and unlocked the outside door for the humans who overwhelmed our guards at the gate, hid the bodies, and drove directly here to the lady's house."
    "I see,” Raphael said with a deceptive calm. “So, Alexandra was left upstairs, unguarded but for Albin and Matias?"
    Gregoire swallowed hard. His fear was a stink in Raphael's nose, sweetened by the scent of bloody sweat dampening his forehead. “It was late, my lord, and it was Lady Alexandra's habit to come downstairs at the last moment. Albin assured me...” He drew a deep breath as if fearful it might be his last. “I heard the vault door close, my lord. I assumed..."
    "You assumed,” Raphael repeated softly. “Indeed.” He sat and stared at the final image of Alexandra as she strode past the humans at the door. He leaned back in the chair thoughtfully.
    "Duncan."
    "Sire."
    "I will want to see Lonnie.” He closed his eyes, judging the night left to him and sighed. “Tomorrow, then. First thing."
    "Certainly, my lord.” Duncan stepped away and, since cell phones would not work from within the security room, picked up a land line. He spoke briefly and hung up.
    Raphael stood and rolled his powerful shoulders, then gave a small nod. His guards reacted immediately, flowing up the stairs to the hallway, Raphael moving along with them. He paused before reaching the exterior door, turning around to spear Gregoire with a cool gaze. The guard captain fell to his knees, head bowed in shame and guilt. “You have served me well for more than two centuries, Gregoire.” He placed a gentle hand on the vampire's lowered head. Without looking, he held out his other hand to Duncan who placed a smooth, sharpened stake in his palm. “I thank you for your years of service and regret you must leave me now."
    Gregoire looked up in shock as Raphael plunged the stake into his heart with a firm underhanded stroke. The other guards stood still as stone, not knowing who might be next to pay for this unacceptable failure.
    Raphael dropped the stake to the marble floor, watching idly as it bounced once then rolled into the pile of dust that had been Gregoire. He brushed his hands together. “Duncan will advise you before the next dawn as to your new captain. In the meantime, I trust all of you will do your utmost to be worthy of your continued existence.” He swept the frozen guards with a raking glance. “Clean that up,” he said, then turned and walked the short distance to the waiting limo.
    [Back to Table of Contents]

Chapter Four
    There are worse ways to wake up than with a beautiful man between your legs. Cynthia smiled lazily as she smacked Nick on the ass, indicating he should move his great bulk off of her. He rolled over and her digital clock came into view, its bloody red numbers letting her know it was nearly one in the afternoon.
    "I need to take a shower,” she said and stood, giving him a look over her shoulder. “You coming?"
    Nick bounced off the bed with as much energy as if he'd slept the whole night instead of keeping her awake with a marathon of sex. She shook her head in amazement as she leaned in to turn on the hot water, then stepped under the spray, trying to decide if she should wash her hair before or after...?
    Nick's strong arms circled her waist, pulling her against him. Guess, it was going to be after.
    * * * *
    She was feeling good when she walked into the kitchen. Every muscle in her body felt like she'd been working out at the gym instead of lying in bed. Well, perhaps “lying” wasn't exactly the right verb. Her soft chuckle was cut off when she saw her sister Holly sitting at the kitchen counter, reading a magazine and eating a sensible snack of yogurt and fruit. Cyn had almost forgotten—and God knew she'd tried—that Holly was spending a few days here while her own house was being painted ... or fumigated ... or something. It was one of those house things which was why Cyn lived in a