Marked: City of the Damned Book 1 Read Free Page A

said
sarcastically. “Protect me from what?”
    “You have been marked against your will, and
it is my duty to protect you until Pryse can be found and justice
is served.”
    Sara sat back on the couch and ran a hand
through her hair. Unable to wrap her mind around the conversation
that was taking place, she let out an exasperated sigh. “I don’t
understand.”
    “Of course you don’t, how could you? You know
nothing of our world.” Gedeon stared at the terrified girl sitting
on his couch. How could he explain this without frightening her any
more than she already was? “What is your name?”
    “Pardon me?”
    “You never told me your name.” Gedeon had no
desire to engage in small talk, but he needed to gain this girl’s
trust if he had any hopes of saving her life.
    “Sara, my name’s Sara Bishop.”
    “Sara, our society does not follow the same
laws as yours. When a vampire unwillingly marks a human there are
consequences her or she must face.”
    “What are you, the vampire secret police?”
she laughed.
    “Do not criticize that which you know nothing
about,” Gedeon barked. “We live by rules just as you do. When a
vampire marks a human against their will it is punishable by
death.”
    Sara’s head snapped up. “You mean you’re
going to kill the man that bit me?”
    “He is not a man, he is a vampire, and yes,
it is the only way to break the bond.”
    “Whoa, wait a minute here. You’re talking
about murdering someone.”
    “No,” Gedeon replied “I am only going to see
that justice is served. By forcing his blood on you and then taking
yours, Pryse ensured that a bond was created. No matter where you
go, he will be able to find you. He will come to you whenever he
wants and he will take from you whatever he wants.”
    “You mean that he’ll force me to give him my
blood?”
    “Blood is only a part of it, but he will not
have to force you, you will give it to him willingly.” Gedeon was
sickened by the idea of forcefully marking someone, but to mark
someone who was as young and naïve as Sara made it that much
worse.
    “What do you mean that blood is only a part
of it? What is he going to make me do?” Sara’s hands started to
tremble as a million possible scenarios ran through her mind.
    “Vampires are very sexual creatures by
nature. For us, only two emotions exist; hunger and lust.”
    Sara let out a sob and tears spilled down her
face. “He’s going to force himself on me?”
    “No.” Gedeon’s tone softened. “As I said
before, he will not have to force you to do anything. You will
freely give him whatever he wants.”
    “Even sex?”
    “Yes, even sex,” Gedeon replied “but it’s not
what you think. A vampire will only feed from willing donors, and
in exchange for their blood, we will give them pleasure beyond
anything they’ve ever experienced before. Vampire bites are meant
to be pleasurable, not painful. A bite is only painful the first
time you exchange blood. A vampire will give the donor his blood,
and while it flows through their veins he must feed from them. The
pain that you experience from being bitten is caused by the mark
burning itself into the very essence of your being, thus creating a
bond that is breakable only by death. Most humans will choose to be
marked if they have forged a connection with a vampire because it
enhances the sensation of the bite. A vampire may choose to mark
someone if the human’s blood is particularly appealing, and by
marking them it makes their blood taste better. When you are
marked, and the bond is created, he will be able to sense where you
are and what you’re feeling. You will always be drawn to each
other.”
    “Please, you have to help me,” Sara
pleaded.
    “I will, but you must do exactly as I say.
First you must rest and regain your strength.”
    Hesitantly, Sara lay back on the sofa.
Vampires couldn’t be real, couldn’t they? This had to be some sort
of sick twisted nightmare. Sara was positive that she’d