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

wake up any
second now, but deep down she knew this wasn’t a nightmare. Her
perception of reality had just been permanently altered. Part of
her just wanted to run away and forget that any of this ever
happened, but if she left now, she’d spend the rest of her life
living in fear, waiting for the moment that Pryse would show up to
claim what was his. No, she couldn’t let that happen, even if it
meant putting her life in the hands of someone she didn’t know.
Gedeon was bound to protect her, and as long as she stayed with him
she’d be safe, or at least she hoped.

Chapter
3
     
    Gedeon’s eyes flared black as he fought
against the beast within. The sight of the slender girl lying on
his sofa was enough to shatter his self control. Her long shapely
legs and firm round breasts fueled the hunger that was growing deep
within. Yes, when this was over, and she was no longer bound to
Pryse, he would offer her the pleasure of his bite. Gedeon leaned
back in the chair and inhaled deeply. The scent of her blood was
intoxicating, but if he were to feed from her while she was marked
by another it would poison him. Marking a human ensured that no
other vampire could ever drink from them. When this was over, and
Pryse was dead, he would offer himself to her, and hope that she’d
accept. Until then, he had to bide his time and force himself to
control the beast.
    The smell of food caused Sara to stir. It had
been at least two days since the last time she had eaten anything
solid, and her body craved sustenance. Opening her eyes, she saw
the muscular form of Gedeon sitting in the chair beside her.
Sitting up on the side of the sofa, she gazed at the items on the
table. A clean set of clothes, her clothes, sat neatly folded in
front of her. “Where did these come from?”
    “You needed clean clothes and food.”
    “But these are my clothes from my apartment.” Sara looked down at the table and then back
to Gedeon. “How did you get into my apartment?”
    “I used your keys,” Gedeon said in a matter
of fact tone. “I found your address on the lease agreement in your
bag. You should consider moving. You’re paying too much money for
rent.”
    “You went through my purse?” Sara wanted to
be mad. She knew she should be mad that Gedeon had invaded her
privacy, but the idea of clean clothes was too appealing. Suddenly
remembering about Phineus she asked, “What about my cat, is he
okay?”
    “Yes, I fed him, he’s fine.” Gedeon passed
her a clean towel. “You need to shower. Wash yourself twice. We
have to try and mask your scent.”
    “Are you trying to tell me that I stink?”
Sara laughed.
    “You’ve had a fever for two days, and fevers
cause you to perspire. Pryse will have no difficulties picking up
on your scent.”
    “Thanks a lot.” Sara snatched the towel out
of his hand. It had been days since the last time she’d showered,
but that was no reason for Gedeon to be so blunt, so insulting.
    Gedeon eyed her questioningly. The tone of
her voice and her playful attitude all but disappeared within a
matter seconds. Had he said something to offend this beautiful
creature? No matter how hard he tried, Gedeon could not understand
the range of emotions that humans experienced. “Dinner will be
ready by the time you finish with your shower.”
    Sara was taken aback. Despite being so
beastly, underneath his rough exterior was a softness that she
never expected to find. Every so often she would catch Gedeon
looking at her, and the harsh lines around his mouth and eyes would
soften, if only for a second. If it wasn’t for the fact that he was
a vampire, Sara might have actually felt something for him. A knot
twisted in her stomach as she thought about what it might be like
to be bitten. Would the pleasure exceed the pain she’d experienced
in the alley?
    “Sara, did you hear me?” Gedeon asked. “You
need to go and shower so we can get moving. It’s only a matter of
time before Pryse shows up here. I figured that