Bonds of Blood Read Online Free

glances around the room, Kat tried to locate her.  Despite the curious looks she received in return, Mina was nowhere to be found.
    W ithout warning, the room began to spin.  The lights became colors that danced all around her.  She looked down into her glass. 
    What the hell was in this drink?
    Kat tried her best to control her breathing, but it felt like the floor was shaking beneath her feet.  She was beginning to wobble when a strong hand caught her arm to steady her. 
    Her gaze rose and was met by an arresting pair of silver eyes.  Unable to look away, she let him hold her up.
    “Are you alright?”
    The deep husky timbre of his voice seemed to reach out and stroke her intimately.
    “I…”
    Her mind swirled to images.
    Images of his hands traveling over her body.
    His mouth teasing hers open.
    She tried to hold on to rational thought, but the effort was strained.  The wine had to be drugged.  It was the only excuse she had for letting him take her drink and lead her out of the club. 
    When they were in the courtyard, his gaze traveled over her length.  She drew in a shaky breath as she struggled to remain on her feet.
    “Are you okay?”
    She nodded.  “Yes,” she managed.
    He fixed her with an intent stare.  “You shouldn’t be here.”
    Her eyes narrowed.  “Why?”
    He hesitated for a moment before answering.  “It’s just not safe.”
    She should leave and go back inside.  After all, she didn’t know him.  She had no idea what his intentions were.  But there was something about him, something familiar.  Something that made her feel safe.
    “Have we met before?”
    The corners of his lips twitched up.  “I don’t believe so.  I’m sure I would remember you.”
    She wobbled again , and he caught her, his arm sliding around her waist.  She leaned into him, her chin tilting back to meet his eyes.
    “I could swear I’ve seen you before,” she murmured.
    “Maybe in another life,” he suggested his voice husky.
    Kat’s head was spinning from the drink.  Her eyes focused on him.  His dark brown hair was a little long.  It curled over the collar of his shirt.  She ached to run her fingers through it.  His jaw was perfectly sculpted, his full lips begging for her kiss.  Even though the arm around her waist was cool, it heated her blood.  She felt her nipples harden into tight buds against the material of her dress.
    What was wrong with her?
    Whatever was in the house wine was potent stuff.  Suddenly, the world began to spin violently and she collapsed against him.
    ****
    Damien felt the life drain from the girl in his arms as the sweet taste of her blood filled his mouth.  When he was finished with her, he passed Alyssa to the man at his side.  He turned away as the man took the girl and hurried out the back door.  She would be disposed of like all the rest. 
    Damien headed back out to the drawing room, his gaze scanning the crowd.  Most of th e patrons thought they had just seen an elaborate production.  But it was no show.  To him, it was nothing more than dinner.  Still, he grew tired of the charade.  Humans were so easy.  Easy to command.  To enthrall. 
    And after four hundred years, he was bored.  There was no sport anymore.  As much as he had always enjoyed mesmerizing them, it seemed like little more than a chore now.  If it wasn’t for the necessity of feeding he would have stopped years ago.  But the club enabled them to stay in one place, to live freely if that’s what you call it.  He moved through the crowd like a vapor stealing into their thoughts, releasing their hidden desires.  Tonight, though, he had only one thing on his mind.
    The woman with the dark hair.
    Where had she disappeared to?
    He watched her watching him with Alyssa, had felt her longing, her untapped desire.  He tried to ease into her mind, to tease her.  But for the first time in years, he hadn’t been able to.  In that moment, he made up his mind to find her as soon as