Bonds of Blood Read Online Free Page A

he finished with Alyssa.
    What was it about her that called out to him?
    Was it just the anonymity of her thoughts, the fact that he couldn’t read her as easily as he could read everyone else?
    No, there was something else.
    She was different.
    He could feel it.
    After walking through the rooms several times, his search turned up nothing.  His gaze still searching for her, he inhaled deeply to see if he could pick up her smell.
    Suddenly, he felt a presence at his side.  He didn’t have to turn to know who it was.
    “Unhappy with tonight’s selection?” Genevieve inquired.
    “It is the same selection we have seen for weeks .”
    She tilted her head to the side.  “Now that’s not true.  I’ve seen several faces disappear recently.”
    He sighed heavily.
    “Someone in particular you are looking for?”
    He sometimes forgot that Genevieve knew him so well. 
    When he didn’t answer, she continued.  “Her name is Kat Montague.”
    He turned to face her.  “Who?”
    “The woman you’re looking for .”
    His eyes narrowed.  “And you know this how?”
    A diabolical smile slid across her mouth.  “I make it my business to know our patrons.”
    He turned to look at the crowd before him, not wanting her to be able to read him. 
    “She’s not human,” she observed casually.
    “I know.”
    “So, what is she?” she prodded.
    His lips formed a grim line.  “That is what I intend to find out.  Is she upstairs?”
    She shook her head.  “I would have been informed if she was using a room.  She must have slipped out after the show.”
    He inhaled deeply, his eyes narrowing as he picked up another scent.  “Am I mistaken or was a visitor from the past here as well?
    Genevieve didn’t look at him.  “No one I recall.”
    His jaw clenched, but he said nothing.
    She may have gotten away tonight, but her luck would not hold out for long.  Because for the first time in years, Damien actually wanted something, craved it.
    And what he craved…was her.
    ****
    Alec laid her gently on the bed.  Getting away so easily was a shock, even to him.  He leaned down to remove her arms from his neck, but to his surprise she tightened her hold pulling him down on the bed beside her. 
    “Don’t go,” she murmured.
    Her eyelids hung low , her mouth curved in a smile of satisfaction.  Alec felt a longing deep in his gut.  He shouldn’t want her to say these things, shouldn’t want her to desire his presence, but he did.
    “I must,” he replied solemnly.
    Her hands caressed his face, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw.
    “Don’t leave me.  Not again,” she whispered.
    Again?
    Had he heard her right?
    He reached up, his hand gently encircling her wrist to pull her hand away.  But she resisted, lacing her fingers through his. 
    “Stay with me tonight.”
    More than anything he wished he could give in and just forget about all his obligations.  For years he had been watching her.  And for years he had been tormented—tortured with visions of a future that could never be.  He was a member of the Vigilate, ordered to protect her.  There would never be a day when his thoughts could be enacted.  Never be a day when he could give in to the temptation to be with her.  To do so would mean death for certain.
    “I can’t,” he answered honestly.
    She leaned up, her lips mere inches from his.  Her breath wafted over his face. 
    How he longed to close the distance , to show her how much he desired her.
    “Please don’t leave.  For once, just stay with me.”
    His eyes widened as he stared at her.
    She couldn’t know what she was saying.
    It had to be the drug.
    The club’s house wine h ad more than an exotic flavor.  It also contained an aphrodisiac.  It enabled the club’s owners a measure of crowd control. 
    “You don’t know what you’re saying .”
    H er eyes opened and her gaze met his.  “You’ve been here before.  I’ve seen you.”
    If his heart was still beating, it surely