Odyssey (The Vampire Destiny Series Companion Book 1) Read Free Page A

move."
Slamming my hand against the stone, I felt the rock crumble underneath my crushing blow.  "I will be no part in this plan.  You will change him, and you will take him away.  I want no part in this, Solveig."
She knew better than to argue with me.  Her cobalt eyes swept over my face, and I could see her quick nod.  “I will meet you back at the camp once I am finished.  We will need to remain out of sight for two days while he makes the change.  Be safe.”
She walked along the wall, absently dragging her fingertips across the ragged stones.  She never looked back on her trek, focused solely on her task.  She would watch him from a distance, and only approach him when she knew she could easily disappear with the man.
There was no reason to worry about Solveig.  She was an impressive fighter, strong despite her small stature.  She was the ultimate predator.  No one would expect death to appear in such a diminutive, fragile package.
My eyes stayed trained on her until she disappeared from sight.  I knew it would be nightfall before Solveig returned with the peculiar, amber eyed man she had fixated on.  If his talent was strong as a human in its dormant stage, it would only increase during his change to becoming immortal.
Already I was dreading dealing with the frailties of a newborn.  Driven by their urges, it would make life even more difficult.  How would they explain this man's presence?  We would be forced to stay out of sight for years, if not longer.
No good would come from lamenting over my sire's impulsive nature.  There was little I could do to stop her.  She refused to listen to reason.  She would risk death to see any plan come to fruition.
I had managed to stay on the outskirts of a neighboring village on my way back to the crumbling ruins of the home we had found deep within the woods.  It was the perfect hideaway for vampires.  We needed no fire to keep us warm and we could go days, if not weeks without sleep if needed.
I was halfway to our hideaway when I noticed the presence of a vampire following close behind me.  She was female, her intentions quite clear.  She was sent by the Council to find Solveig and assess my ability.  She had no idea I was aware she was tailing me; I quickly doubled back until I was behind her.  I had her pressed against a tree before she had a chance to react.
She was stunning with her long chestnut hair and dark eyes that flashed in indignation of being caught unaware.  She was barely five feet tall, clothed in a gown much too lavish to blend in with the local townsfolk.
“You were following me.  Why?"  I demanded in Italian, gripping her shoulders tightly.  Her mouth turned up in a sneer as she struggled against my unyielding hold.
"This is how you treat a woman?  Did your sire teach you nothing?" Her raspy voice glided over the heavily accented words, her flashing eyes glancing between my hands and my face. 
Grunting softly, I released her and she smoothed her gown with her long, slender fingers.
"It is no business of yours."  I sat on an overturned tree, squinting up at her.  "What is it you want from me, Sofia?"
She glanced around before crossing her arms under her chest, looking at me in disbelief.  "I see your ability is strong and was not exaggerated.  You are one to get straight to the point.”  She paused and lowered her voice.  “It is your maker we want.  We want Solveig."
I feigned shock and averted my gaze to study the long grass.  "Who is 'we'?  Why do you think I would turn over my sire to an unknown group of immortals?"
The woman drew closer, crouching down until our faces were level.  "Steafedn, I was sent by the Council to attempt to work out a deal or an agreement with you.  You could come with me.  You would be safe."
My eyes shot back up to meet her impenetrable stare.  "If you know anything about me, I am loyal to my maker.  There is nothing I can do to assist you.  You have chosen the wrong man."
She laughed