Sanctuary (Forsaken Realms Trilogy) Read Online Free Page A

turned. 
     
    Natalia had always suspected that there was more than met the eye with Tym but he seemed like a decent vampire and Natalia had grown to consider him a true friend. 
     
    Still, his madness had grown worse as of late.  It began very subtly, and had increased almost imperceptively over the years.  She didn't think Tym was a danger to anyone, except maybe himself.
     
    Natalia began to wander the sewers. So much had changed recently. The very air itself seemed different. There was a hint of something...Hope, or despair; she couldn't tell which.
     
    "I must be going crazy like Tym" she thought to herself "Nothing's changed, things are the same as they've always been..."
     
    She turned a corner and nearly crashed into Markus who was busy preparing a traveling pack.
     
    "So you're really going?" asked Natalia.
     
    "Yes, Branden and I; a few of the others.  We're each going to take a different direction and wander for a while. Hopefully we'll find more of the Forsaken" answered Markus.
     
    "How long will you be gone?" asked Natalia.
     
    "As long as it takes... years at least I would imagine." shrugged Markus "I know you don't approve but this is important, I wish you could understand".
     
    "I know," responded Natalia "and I do think it's important. I wish you luck.  Is there anything I can do to help?"
     
    "Just hold down the fort while we're gone" answered Markus "but you always do that, don't you?".
     
    Natalia smiled and hugged Markus.  "Take care of yourself out there. Keep in touch when you can."
     
    "We will" grinned Markus.
     
    Change. 
     
    Maybe they'd find a few Forsaken. Natalia held no illusions.  She knew most had been killed during the culling.  What few survived were likely hidden far underground.
     
    Chances were that Markus and the others wouldn't find a single Forsaken, but Natalia couldn't bring herself to crush their hopes.  And it was always possible that she was wrong. 
     
    More likely they'd get themselves killed or worse, captured.  Natalia realized that if any of the party were taken, they could possibly lead the Medai back to the sewers. 
     
    Evacuation preparations would need to be put in place. Natalia refused to be caught unawares again.  It was something to think about, and the sooner the better.
     
    But it could wait a night; right now Natalia needed to think about other things. She returned to her own room, closed her eyes and began to think about a face...
     

CHAPTER NINE
     

Vostrof sat at the expansive marble office table, reading a report that flashed across the small flat panel screen to his right.  One of his human blood farms in China was getting dangerously low on livestock and would need to be replenished soon.
     
    He typed in some simple instructions authorizing a hunting party and pushed a button, sending the report off to his manager in Shenzhen. Human slaves were easy to round up, especially in rural China.
     
    With a quick glance towards the world stock market index numbers streaming across the bottom of another screen, Vostrof turned toward the figure standing patiently in front of his desk.
     
    "And you're sure of this?" prodded Vostrof.
     
    "Yes sire, our sources say that Alexander has been personally hunting for several weeks.  He's all but ignoring his other duties." purred the shadowy figure.
     
    "Fine." clipped Vostrof, "Continue your surveillance. I want to know exactly what the Lord Graves is up to."
     
    "Yes sire." intoned the figure as he spun on his heals and glided out of the room.
     
    Once the vampire was gone Vostrof took a moment to consider the news he had just heard. 
     
    It wasn't like Alexander to neglect his duties, it must mean some major game was afoot.  He would need to discover the implications for his Clan and determine if there was any way to turn this information to his advantage...
     
    He was Yuri Vostrof, the patriarch of House Vostrof and Ruler of the Morinof Clan; easily the second most powerful