Last Blood Read Online Free Page B

Daci’s. “I know you will. And I appreciate your loyalty.” She gave Daci’s hand a squeeze, then looked deeply into her eyes. “My dealings with the ancient ones have never been easy. If I don’t… survive their demands, I want you to know that I would be happy to see you as Dominus of the House of Tepes.”
    Horror marred Daci’s pretty face. She yanked her hand out from under Tatiana’s. “Don’t say such things!” She stood and shook her head. “You need more blood. It’s clear you’re still not yourself. Where is that letter? I’m going to the Primoris Domus immediately.”
    Tatiana pointed to her desk. “Right on top.”
    Daci grabbed the letter and waved it like a flag. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Then we’ll get you up to full power and make our next move.”
    “Thank you. You’re too good to me.”
    Daci smiled and gave a little nod as she left. Tatiana reclined on the chaise again, listening as Daci’s footsteps faded. As much as Tatiana agreed that she needed a new comar, she’d wanted Daci out of the house more.
    Daci was too dear a friend to put in harm’s way. With a sigh, Tatiana resigned herself to what needed to be done. She pushed to her feet and went to the office door, opened it, and stuck her head into the anteroom, where one of the house servants awaited her needs. “I’m not to be disturbed until I come out again, understood?”
    The servant nodded without making eye contact. “Yes, my lady.”
    Tatiana went back in, locked the door, and walked to the front of her desk. With a few deep breaths, she forced away her residual anger toward the ancients. She needed to be calm. Confident. Respectful, despite the fact that they had stolen her child from her arms. But more than just respectful, she must appear worthy of the power and position that had been bestowed upon her. The ancients were fickle, as they’d proved. She must not give them reason to strip anything else from her.
    She pulled the chairs aside and stood in the small clearing, girding herself for what was about to happen. Then she tipped her head back and spoke to the one she’d worked so hard to please, the one who owed her so much for her undying loyalty, the one who’d betrayed her just as Octavian had.
    “Samael, my liege. I respectfully request your company.”



Chapter Four
    T he weather had cooled enough that Chrysabelle tugged one of Maris’s long white cardigans over her tunic and pants before heading out to sit by the pool, but the change in temperature wouldn’t keep her from taking in the evening’s quiet. If anything, the calm only seemed to reinforce her determination to move confidently forward with her life while the soft lap of the bay against the new dock and the occasional grunt of a cormorant helped soothe the pressure of everything she might not be able to resolve.
    Like Mal. She loved him, more than was wise, but the hard truth was the Mal she loved was gone, replaced by a creature more monster than man. Her heart ached for herself and the child in her belly who would never know a father. Just as she had never known a father.
    Sad how the circumstances of her life seemed inescapable, even for her unborn child. She pulled her sweater a little closer. Losing Mal like this was worse than when she’d thought he’d died in the city square. It would have been better if that had been his end than knowing he might now actually be her enemy. She shook her head,her vision blurring slightly. How would she fight him if it came to that?
    Her hand slid to her stomach. She knew how. With strength and resolution, because protecting this child meant more than anything. She understood now why her mother had sacrificed so much and been willing to fight so hard. She also understood a part of her would die with him. There was no other way to survive something that horrific.
    “Chrysabelle?”
    The voice yanked her from her thoughts. She turned. “Mortalis. I didn’t know you were coming by.”
    The