The Last Guardian Rises (The Last Keeper's Daughter) Read Online Free Page B

I should have been. As with many things, one does not know the exact moment of obsolescence. If I had known, the past would be very different. I should have cut my ties with your family long ago.”
    “Then we would have never met.” Lily drained her glass and placed it on the table. “I realize it’s not rational. I just want someone alive to blame.”
    “And now?”
    “Martha and the Ancient have helped me through it.” Krieger cocked his eyebrow, and she added, “No, not together, but I talk with each of them.” She started to walk towards him and stopped herself, instead wrapping her arms protectively around her chest. “I need to tell Martha and Jo about you. Keeping this secret from them is eating away at me.”
    She was afraid he’d deny her request. Actually, he was surprised she hadn’t broached it earlier. “They are your family.” He had them watched, protected. They were not a threat, or rather they would never be allowed to be a threat. It would make his life simpler if they joined the Other community.
    She exhaled loudly, letting her arms drop, and for the first time tonight gave him a genuine smile. “Thank you.”
    “Then you see a path for us to move forward.”
    “Omitting important information is the same as lying to me. I have to know that you will tell me the truth of things.”
    He wanted to reason with her, but that would be as pointless as quarrelling with an infant. Few individuals wanted to know the truth of things. Most avoided the truths they saw in their own mirror. “And will you–” Krieger dipped his head slightly and forced the words out, “Will you reciprocate and tell me the truth of things?”
    Provocative with certainty Lily tossed her long white hair back behind her shoulders. “I will.”
    He could hear the unsaid “but” and waited for her to finish.
    “I won’t be ruled by this bond. I will love who I wish.” Lily stepped back from him.
    His anger flared and bashed against his self-control like a beast provoked. “Haven’t I already freed you from that aspect of the bond?” Do not lose your temper. Remember your agenda. “No, let me finish. If I had not shared my blood, you would be dead. Is that what you wanted?”
    “No,” she said, dropping her gaze to the floor.
    “Then stop punishing me for saving your life.” He inhaled, a habit from when he was human, to calm his emotions. “Tell me if there is someone you wish to be with. You owe me that.”
    Lily’s hand reflexively went to her neck where his mark glowed. “There isn’t anyone else.”
    Liam and his vantors reported the details of her days. Who she saw. Where she went. He knew that her bed was not warmed by another, and yet, he still felt relief at her words. Had he finally cracked her thick shell of defiance? Was this a new beginning? “I need you by my side at the council meeting.”
    “He will be there, won’t he?” Lily bit down hard on her lip.
    “You will be as safe there as here. Lucien or I will always be by your side. I am not foolish enough to take you amongst members of the Royal Houses of Vampire, and this Grigori, without taking extreme care of your person.”
    She sucked her lower lip in and he almost groaned with desire. “If I gave myself to another vampire what would you do?”
    Krieger mentally recoiled. “I would endure.” Why had she said vampire and not another man? Was she speaking of Lucien? “Have you closed your heart to me?”
    Her reaction was instant. She moved directly in front of him and pressed her palm against his chest. His arms engulfed her.
    “Tell me all is not lost.” He lowered his head to that sweet juncture between her neck and shoulder.
    “This scares me.”
    Krieger kissed along her neck until he found her lips. Their flesh melded in the intensity of mutual desire. His tongue skirted her bottom lip, begging for entry. Tentative at first, she opened her lips shyly and their tongues danced until there was nothing but where they