Bitten in Two Read Online Free Page A

numbers and an outright, “Are you kidding me?” Personal y I thought his head was too big and his frame too skeletal to pul it off. He needed a girl who was into unwrapped mummies.
    Or, maybe, one who enjoyed feeding people. Monique had come out with a tray ful of cookies and tea just in time to say to Cole, “Lord Brâncoveanu is cal ing for you.” She smiled sympathetical y, stil buying our loony-but-lovable uncle story. Which is why nice people are always getting suckered.
    I reminded myself to leave her a big tip as I fol owed Cole out of the courtyard, motioning for the others, especial y Kyphas/Helena, to fol ow us to Vayl’s door.
    Where we waited while Cole went in to do valet crap. Ten minutes later he invited us into the suite.
    I felt a familiar pang of regret as I glanced at Vayl’s bed, its white spread resembling a cast-off wedding dress.
    Except the mesh canopy that draped overhead and tied at each corner of its black metal support was a rich chocolaty brown. And the black-domed sleeping tent perched underneath that veil seemed less like a vampire’s shield from stray rays of light than a tunnel into another universe.
    Cole said, “He’s changing. Thank God I talked him out of needing assistance with that yesterday! Have a seat.” Bergman and Kyphas moved into the conversation area, which contained a fireplace, a couch, and matching armchairs upholstered in bright green satin. I took the round white ottoman that stood between them, ignoring the couch because, frankly, I needed Bergman’s moral support.
    Vayl swung open the bathroom door and strode out, the deep line between his red-rimmed eyes announcing his hunger. He wore a black button-down shirt with purple pin stripes and tailored slacks that kissed the tops of his shiny black boots. Cole handed him his duster and he shrugged it on as if he was chil y. In fact, he’d informed “Berggia” that he felt naked without it.
    Bergman leaned next to my ear, since nothing had happened to injure Vayl’s hearing, and whispered, “How happened to injure Vayl’s hearing, and whispered, “How does he pul that off? It’s hot enough for shirtsleeves but I guarantee you nobody wil harass him about his outfit. I’d probably get the crap kicked out of me if I tried to pul that off. But he’s so manly strangers wil probably stop him on the street to ask where they can tour his castle.” I sighed. Vayl’s vibe was working on me, as wel , but in more of an oh-baby-let’s-play-doctor kind of way. Before I could pul myself together, Vayl held out his arms. His smile, while it kept the fang-reveal to a minimum, was so gentle that for a second I thought he’d come back to himself. My heart jumped, making an utter fool of itself, when he fol owed the gesture by saying, “Madame Berggia. You have brought my little Helena to see me. What a fine way to greet the new day!”
    “Oh. Yeah, wel , you insisted—” I jerked my thumb at Kyphas so she’d get the lead out and stand up already.
    She shot to her feet, but with a ful -faced pout that revealed just how much Cole’s comment had hurt her.
    Damn. Maybe she has a heart after all.
    Kyphas raised her arms to return his hug, her hands hanging limply as if she’d inherited some zombie traits from her mom’s side of the family. Vayl raked his eyes over her.
    “It would help if my walking stick was balanced on those,” he snapped. “But I wil forgive you since you are, in fact, Helena’s maid.” And then he engulfed Bergman in a hug so enthusiastic I was pretty sure I heard some Russian tourists cheering in the streets.
    “How are you, my dear?” Vayl asked, patting Bergman on his fluffy head when the hug had ended. “I missed you. I had not realized our travels tired you so greatly. Here, let us be seated while you tel me everything.”
    “Uh.” Bergman shot a look of pure panic over his shoulder as Vayl took him by the hand and began to lead him toward the couch. I’m not a girl! he