The Progeny (The Progeny Series) Read Online Free Page A

amazing feats, with inhibition and fear removed. Gabe was a pro at it. Using his hypnotic eyes and the lush silkiness of his voice, he planted suggestions deep into their subconscious, rendering the women submissive to their hidden desires.
    “The girls are coming soon. Are you ready?” Gabe asked.
    Ascher gave him a look of uncertainty. “I guess so .”
    “I know it’s hard for you , but it’s a part of who you are.”
    “ You’d think I’d be used to it after eighty years. Does it ever get easier?”
    “Not easier , but more manageable. I never had the guilt that you do. I was only impatient. You’ve done well, young one. You’ve never so much as spilled a drop, or killed anyone.”
    “ You’ve killed some of them?”
    “Unfortunately, I have. I wasn’t a very composed newborn. My thirst was such that I was dangerous. Father secluded me several times in my first five years. Unlike you, I wasn’t genetically engineered with human sensibilities.”
    Ascher gasped. He couldn’t imagine Gabe requiring seclusion. “But you’re so in control.”
    “That' s just a product of many years of practice. You're the most controlled of all of us. We concluded it was because of your sensitive human nature. It doesn’t matter, though. I’m very proud of you, Ascher.”
    Ascher frowned, k nowing Gabe wouldn’t be proud of the way he’d reacted to Shauna.
    “ What was that face about?” Gabe peered closely at him.
    “Nothing .”
    “Are you sure?”
    “It’s been a tough night.”
    “You should be happy. A birthday is something to celebrate . Not dread. Summon our brothers. You’ll feel better after you feed.”
    Ascher sent subliminals to Quinn, Tristan, and Carlos—the only human at Rousseau’s that knew exactly what they were. Loyal and trustworthy, he’d been with them for thirty years. Gabe never needed to wipe his brain clean. It was Carlos’s job to guard the staircase on feeding nights.
    Quinn and Tristan hurried into the scarcely lit room.
    The young women soon followed, lining up, side by side, to give the brothers a closer look.
    Ascher inhaled deeply, tasting the women’s essences with his powerful senses. None of them smelled like Shauna, but one was close. She was ordinary— brown-haired, short, slightly built and a vegetarian virgin.
    The brothers walked the aisle sniffing, tasting the air with their tongues and channeling the young women’s minds.
    “The birthday boy has first choice tonight.” Gabe chuckled. “Which one do you want?”
    Ascher shifted his eyes toward the dark haired vegetarian virgin.
    “As you wish .” Gabe led the young woman to the 'prepping area’—ten minutes later, she returned in a more subdued demeanor.
    Ascher and the young woman walked the narrow red hall, stopping at room two. The woman stumbled over to the bed. Unlike Shauna, this woman was a drinker—drunk on cheap beer. Under ordinary circumstances, he dodged the drinkers. Tonight, he was too thirsty to be choosy. Besides, her virginity just about masked her love of stale brew.
    In an attempt to make small talk, he asked, “What is your name?”
    “Natalie.”
    “It’s nice to meet you, Natalie.”
    “I don’t suppose you brought me back here to talk.” She was direct in a way that he appreciated.
    “I don’t suppose I did.”
    “Let’s get on with it then.” Natalie traced an imaginary line with her hand, from his forehead to his chin.
    Ascher flinched. Her skin was incredibly soft. Her wrist trailed across his nose, giving him a heavy dose of her essence. The saliva increased in his aching mouth, and he turned away from her. She wouldn’t remember this, but he still had issues with the red-eyed demon who lived inside of him and craved human blood. His fangs broke the gums, causing his heart to thud in his chest. Every inch of his body pulsed and vibrated with craving.
    He shuddered as her tiny hand glided along his back. That gesture was too intimate for his liking. He would not be