Soul Bound Read Free Page B

seen this before.  I had drunk from him, but he had never watched as a by-stander.  He lifted his hands helplessly.  He didn’t know what to do.
    “You can restrain her now,” I said quickly as I drew in a breath.  “She wouldn’t want to behave in such a way. She doesn’t mean it.”
    “She won’t remember it,” Branwyn reminded me firmly.  “Go ahead and finish, Empusa.”
    Nodding, I drank for a few minutes more, then wiped my mouth.  My fingers and toes had regained their warmth and I could feel color returning to my face.  As much as I hated feeding, I loved feeling strong again.
    I glanced at Shayla.  The girl laid against the bed skins, her cheeks flushed with pleasure, her eyes glazed. 
    “Shayla,” I said quietly.  “You will not remember this.  If you remember anything at all, you will think it was a dream. Do you understand?”
    She looked up at me, her eyes still unfocused. But she nodded. 
    “Good.”  I looked to Branwyn.  “Thank you. I’m quite finished here.”
    She nodded and motioned to Shayla.  “Come with me, child.”
    Shayla got to her feet and trailed behind Branwyn as the exited the hut.  Branwyn turned.  “Dinner for the rest of us will be soon. Feel free to join us.”
    She left and Brennan stared at me, an unreadable expression on his handsome face. 
    “That was… intense,” he said quietly.  “I wasn’t sure what I’d think.  But it was impressive.  You were very gentle with her.  You didn’t have to be.  She never would’ve known the difference.”
    “But I would know,” I replied.  “Brennan, you have no idea what it has been like for me.  For a thousand years- and think hard about how long that actually is- I have had to do this.  I have had to drink from mortals.  I literally steal their blood.  That’s the very essence of who a person is.  I have to look into their eyes and watch as their body reacts to my curse.  It makes me…dislike myself.  It’s something I struggle with every day of my life.”
    His face clouded, the light that normally shone in his eyes dimmed.  Turning, his voice cracked.
    “Empusa,” he said softly, opening his arms.  I shook my head.
    “I’m fine,” I replied, stiffening my shoulders.  I didn’t want pity.  I didn’t want reassurance or comfort. I didn’t deserve it.  Every word I said was true.  I was, in essence, a thief of the worst kind.
    “Empusa,” he repeated, this time more firmly.  “Do not think like that.  You are forced to do these things because your father is a pathetic creature.  You are beautiful and kind and you do your very best to avoid hurting people.  We will figure out a way to return your life to normal and you’ll never have to do these things again.”
    “I do my very best to avoid hurting people,” I repeated, completely disregarding his last sentence.  “Really?  How did we meet, Brennan?”
    His face clouded over again.  I had struck a nerve.  He and I had met in the hospital, right after I had taken his uncle Daniel’s soul which had killed him.  Granted, Daniel had terminal cancer and he was going to die very soon anyway, but regardless, I had shortened his life.  It was something I knew Brennan struggled with.
    He clenched his jaw.  “I’ve dealt with that,” he said firmly.  “You couldn’t help it.  Daniel was going to die anyway.”
    “Yes, he was.  But he wasn’t going to die that day ,” I answered wearily.  “I kill people Brennan.  It is what it is.  Whether they are sick and dying or not, it makes no difference.  I’m a killer.”
    At his impassive expression, I continued.  “And what do you think is going to happen here?  I don’t see a cancer ward here.  I haven’t seen one sick person in this village.  What will happen when it comes time for me to take a soul?  Let me tell you what will happen.  I will either have to kill a healthy, happy priestess or I will die myself.  That is what it will come to.  Do