Ascend (The Vampire Destiny Series Book #4) Read Online Free Page B

approach and awaited my appearance.  I glanced over my shoulder and exchanged a smile with Stefan.  His rugged face was filled with encouragement, love…and trust.  Feeling his rush of confidence through the bond gave me the courage to let down my guard and inhale a deep breath, waiting for the allure of Nikolaus’ blood to overtake me.  Bracing myself, my spine stiffened and my eyes clenched shut as I waited to lose control.
    Exhaling softly, I felt no wild blood lust.  Sniffing softly, each of their unique scents blended together in the spacious room.  And I could hear the wet thump of Nikolaus’ heart as I stood on the other side of the room.  While tempting, it was manageable.  I cleared my throat and opened my eyes, glancing around the room at the people that I valued above all others.  All of their eyes watched me expectantly, waiting for me to address them.  Lukas seemed the most excited.  He was bouncing on the balls of his feet, his icy blue eyes glittering.
    I did my best to swallow my nervousness and try for nonchalance.  “Don’t you all have something else better to do?”
    They all seemed to move at once, moving quickly to embrace me.  Their sudden movements frightened me and instinctively, I crouched defensively and felt my fangs drop for the very first time.
    The emergence of my fangs was the tension breaker and distraction I needed.  I was suddenly fascinated with the razor sharp teeth, running my tongue over the long, needle like points.  Only Nikolaus had the presence of mind to step back, pulling Anna with him as he gave me the space to let me gather myself.
    “Ah, your fangs.  Let me see you.”  Stefan blurred to stand before me, urging my mouth open.  His thumb brushed over my lips, softly stroking the plump flesh until they parted.  His index finger traced over each fang, causing a hot flood of need to unleash deep in my stomach.  “Beautiful.”
    “Biased.” I shot back, innocently letting my tongue flicker out to playfully lick his lingering fingertip.
    Lukas seized the opportunity and stepped to Stefan’s side.  His perceptive eyes appraised me as they always did, his head cocking from side to side.  He pursed his lips and nodded happily.  “Awake for less than an hour and you’re already like rabbits.  Typical.  Someone should write a smutty romance book about the two of you.  It would all be sex though since you’re obviously unable to control yourselves.”  His fisted hands rested on his waist and he tapped his foot impatiently.  “Tell me Mr. Romance showed you what you looked like.  He gave you a few minutes with a mirror, right?”
    “A mirror?” I repeated, looking between Stefan and Lukas curiously.  “Why would I need time with a mirror?  I know what I look like.”
    Lukas sighed heavily.  He shook his head and his eyes went skyward in bored exasperation.  “Hello…you’re a vampire now.  You still look like Josie, but it’s a much-improved version.  You need to see this…”
    Lukas grabbed at my hand, attempting to tug me along with him.  Normally, he was much stronger than me and I had no choice but to follow.  But now…now I could hold my own with any of them.  A smug grin settled over my face as Lukas lost a winning fight to drag me away.
    “I think the days of you dragging me around are over, Lukas,” I advised, arching an eyebrow at him.  Mumbling under his breath, he walked across the room and plopped on the couch, his arms stiffly crossed under his chest.
    Anna and Nikolaus stood back against the wall, cautiously watching me.  Neither had made a move to approach me, giving the opportunity to face them when I was ready.
    My gaze landed on my brother’s face first.  His emerald eyes were guarded, but his steady heartbeat let me know he wasn’t afraid of me.  He was simply waiting for my acceptance, knowing I needed my space and didn’t want to intrude until I was prepared and willing.
    Jutting my chin, I opened my