Warrior Rising Read Online Free
Author: Linda Winstead Jones
saved him from her sword was that being turned had been Chloe’s choice, and his act had saved her life.
It stung that her blood descendent, her conduit, had been turned into one of them. It had been that or death, for Chloe and the child growing inside her. Indikaiya couldn’t kill Luca and, in truth, at this time she could kill none of the vampires who were fighting with them. They needed every sword — every fang — at their disposal.
Chloe’s pregnancy was disturbing. Part of Indikaiya was appalled that one of her descendants was half vampire, but another part was worried sick that the child wouldn’t survive. Human/vampire pregnancies were extremely rare, all but unheard of. She could not imagine that the results would be good for either mother or baby.
She wanted Chloe to live; to see the end of such an unquenchable spirit would be devastating. But there was no precedent for Chloe’s circumstances, so Indikaiya had no idea what to expect. Chloe was a conduit. Luca was a rare blood born. With both mother and father being so different, would that change the outcome for this pregnancy?
If either Chloe or Luca realized that she was carrying his baby, neither had made it known, but the pregnancy was so new and they’d been so embroiled in one crisis after another that she doubted either had had the opportunity to even think of the possibility. Luca would soon notice, though, because Chloe’s scent would be different… perhaps. Now that she was a vampire, perhaps not. Indikaiya had no intention of telling them, because words spoken aloud could always be overheard. They would have good reason to keep the news to themselves for as long as possible. There were those who would see the child as an abomination, an unnatural thing who should not be allowed to live. The unknown was always frightening, and the child… the child was most definitely unknown. If the babe survived to see the world, would she come into it human or vampire? Would she be strong or weak? Would she be able to walk in the sun? Would she need blood or milk to thrive? That — and more — remained unknown.
Indikaiya entered the room where the meeting would soon begin, and instinctively moved close to Chloe’s side. As a newly made vampire, Chloe hadn’t been able to resist the overpowering urge to sleep while the sun was up, even though she exhibited unusual control for one so young, but now that night had fallen again she was wide awake and ready to take on the world. Her cheeks were pink with healthy color; perhaps Luca had fed her with his own potent blood, giving her strength. Indikaiya felt a surge of unwelcome gratitude for the vampire, because without him Chloe would be dead.
The room was crowded with vampires and humans and Warriors, the unusual alliance uneasy but necessary. As they were settling down, the door opened once again and Sorin came in. Indikaiya didn’t want to notice his presence, but she couldn’t help it. She knew he was in the room, was aware of his location even when she wasn’t looking at him. There was an electricity about him, the force of his personality blasting out in all directions.
Sorin, along with Rurik and the human Jimmy, argued for the witch’s life. Why? A creature such as he cared for no one but himself. Did he love Nevada? It seemed ludicrous that a vampire could love a human, but Luca had fallen in love with Chloe so it was not impossible. Did Sorin lie with his redhead? Did she offer him comfort and release? That made more sense than love. Perhaps lust was why he argued so passionately for the witch’s life.
No, Indikaiya decided when the witch entered the room uninvited and unwanted. Sorin did not look at Nevada the way he had looked at her, just moments ago. He cared for the girl, he was protective of her, but his caring was not of a sexual nature.
Rurik, on the other hand…
Indikaiya thought the young woman might plead for her own life. She did not. In fact, she looked ready to accept her
It stung that her blood descendent, her conduit, had been turned into one of them. It had been that or death, for Chloe and the child growing inside her. Indikaiya couldn’t kill Luca and, in truth, at this time she could kill none of the vampires who were fighting with them. They needed every sword — every fang — at their disposal.
Chloe’s pregnancy was disturbing. Part of Indikaiya was appalled that one of her descendants was half vampire, but another part was worried sick that the child wouldn’t survive. Human/vampire pregnancies were extremely rare, all but unheard of. She could not imagine that the results would be good for either mother or baby.
She wanted Chloe to live; to see the end of such an unquenchable spirit would be devastating. But there was no precedent for Chloe’s circumstances, so Indikaiya had no idea what to expect. Chloe was a conduit. Luca was a rare blood born. With both mother and father being so different, would that change the outcome for this pregnancy?
If either Chloe or Luca realized that she was carrying his baby, neither had made it known, but the pregnancy was so new and they’d been so embroiled in one crisis after another that she doubted either had had the opportunity to even think of the possibility. Luca would soon notice, though, because Chloe’s scent would be different… perhaps. Now that she was a vampire, perhaps not. Indikaiya had no intention of telling them, because words spoken aloud could always be overheard. They would have good reason to keep the news to themselves for as long as possible. There were those who would see the child as an abomination, an unnatural thing who should not be allowed to live. The unknown was always frightening, and the child… the child was most definitely unknown. If the babe survived to see the world, would she come into it human or vampire? Would she be strong or weak? Would she be able to walk in the sun? Would she need blood or milk to thrive? That — and more — remained unknown.
Indikaiya entered the room where the meeting would soon begin, and instinctively moved close to Chloe’s side. As a newly made vampire, Chloe hadn’t been able to resist the overpowering urge to sleep while the sun was up, even though she exhibited unusual control for one so young, but now that night had fallen again she was wide awake and ready to take on the world. Her cheeks were pink with healthy color; perhaps Luca had fed her with his own potent blood, giving her strength. Indikaiya felt a surge of unwelcome gratitude for the vampire, because without him Chloe would be dead.
The room was crowded with vampires and humans and Warriors, the unusual alliance uneasy but necessary. As they were settling down, the door opened once again and Sorin came in. Indikaiya didn’t want to notice his presence, but she couldn’t help it. She knew he was in the room, was aware of his location even when she wasn’t looking at him. There was an electricity about him, the force of his personality blasting out in all directions.
Sorin, along with Rurik and the human Jimmy, argued for the witch’s life. Why? A creature such as he cared for no one but himself. Did he love Nevada? It seemed ludicrous that a vampire could love a human, but Luca had fallen in love with Chloe so it was not impossible. Did Sorin lie with his redhead? Did she offer him comfort and release? That made more sense than love. Perhaps lust was why he argued so passionately for the witch’s life.
No, Indikaiya decided when the witch entered the room uninvited and unwanted. Sorin did not look at Nevada the way he had looked at her, just moments ago. He cared for the girl, he was protective of her, but his caring was not of a sexual nature.
Rurik, on the other hand…
Indikaiya thought the young woman might plead for her own life. She did not. In fact, she looked ready to accept her
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