Blood Lust Read Free

blood. Several months ago Andrew had been attacked by hired killers and left for dead, his blood being slowly poisoned by a net of silver barbs.
    Tommy had been the one to find him in a smoke-filled hotel room, but it was the quick actions of Marcus and his friends that had ultimately saved Andrew. Infusions of vampire blood had cleared the poison from his system and had given him even greater strength—
    something he had needed when faced with his treacherous uncle, Lazlo Marek.
    But now he came to see Marcus about a completely different matter, hoping the ancient vampire could give him the answer he sought. He knew his question would be met with surprise, but he hoped not with condemnation.
    Marcus himself opened the door to Andrew’s knock, and as always he looked amazing.
    Andrew was certain that Marcus Verano was the oldest vampire in the world. Neither he nor any other vampire he had spoken with knew of anyone older, although the man appeared not yet thirty years old. His mane of black curly hair was devoid of any grey strands, his body still fit and muscular as in the days when he was a Roman centurion, and his emerald green eyes still bright with humour and knowledge.
    “Welcome, Andrew.” His voice was deep and melodious—just one more attractive feature of the many the man possessed. “Come along in. It’s just you and I tonight. Roger and his friends have gone over to La Fortuna to visit with Jean-Claude and Ron. Tommy is working?”
    “Yes…”
    “You are troubled, Andrew. What is the problem?”
    www.total-e-bound.com
     
    BLOOD LUST
    J.P. Bowie
    12
     
    It was the measure of the man that he had not read what was in Andrew’s mind, though he could have done so easily. Vampire etiquette, Andrew thought, with a soft smile.
    “But before you begin, shall we have a glass of wine? I have an extremely fine French Burgundy you must sample.”
    “Thank you.” Andrew followed Marcus into the massive living room, the veranda of which overlooked the glittering lights of Los Angeles. “Thank you also for allowing me to intrude on your privacy without giving you more than a few hours’ notice.”
    Marcus slipped behind the oaken bar and took down two crystal glasses from a rack. “It is no intrusion, Andrew. You are welcome here anytime.” He withdrew the cork from the bottle and inhaled the wine’s bouquet. “Mmm… I think we shall enjoy this.” He poured a small amount into Andrew’s glass. “Tell me what you think.”
    Andrew lifted the glass to his lips and took a small sip. “Excellent,” he murmured in appreciation.
    “Joseph brought me two bottles back from France. He and Micah were there last week.”
    He poured a larger quantity into Andrew’s glass, then his own. “Salud.”
    “Salud.”
    “So now, tell me what is at the front of your mind that I am sorely tempted to simply read. It must be weighing heavily on you, my friend.”
    Andrew sighed. “This may be something that even you do not have the answer to, Marcus, but I know of no one else I could ask. You have lived longer than any vampire, have seen things, have done deeds of which we younger vampires can only dream, yet…what I am about to ask may confound even you.”
    “You are intriguing me.”
    Andrew squared his shoulders and looked Marcus directly in the eyes. “Is it possible to undo what we are—to become mortal again?”
    www.total-e-bound.com
     
    BLOOD LUST
    J.P. Bowie
    13

Chapter Two
    For a long moment Marcus said nothing, simply stared back at Andrew with a thoughtful expression on his handsome face. Then he said, “Would you care to tell me what prompted this question?”
    Andrew grimaced. “I am in love with a mortal who is having second thoughts about our relationship.”
    “I am sorry,” Marcus said, frowning. “I thought that you and Tommy were happily bonded.”
    “We are, to a certain extent. Tommy loves me, I know that. I hear it in his thoughts, see it in his actions, but he worries about his