The Blood Bride (Blood Secrets) Read Free Page A

questions. Once we reach the safe house, you will be sequestered until your guardians come for you.”
    While she wanted to know where they were going, she was determined to ask her questions quickly. Something in the way Cressida gazed around and kept her distance told her that this might be the only opportunity.
    “I know you are a vampire, but why do you live with us?”
    “Because I am your parents’ Mistress. You family serves me in return for safety and shelter. Six generations of your family have served me. But that is now ended and Master Philippe has placed Cyrus with your family.”
    “Why? Why can’t you come back?” Hope was confused. Surely, since Cressida had saved her, she would remain there? She watched as the vampire opposite shook her head wearily.
    “Tonight I killed to rescue you. I took blood from Brethren and those humans who were alive. Now I feel urges I have suppressed for hundreds of years. It makes me dangerous to humans, because I will want more—a lot more. That makes me dangerous to everyone, but particularly to you, child. That is why I must leave the nest.”
    As Cressida spoke, Hope noted her breathing deeply, nostrils flaring. With some fear, Hope saw fangs peeking out between ruby red lips for first time. “I feel this need to drink from a living being, which makes me vulnerable in an attack and in the manor. I must learn to fight it again. Otherwise I will become a Brethren. Do you understand what that means?”
    Hope shook her head. It had to be a bad thing, but surely if she had done it once, it would be easy?
    “The Brethren were like us once, but they killed humans and drank their blood. The essence of the human became one with them, but that left them hungrier. After that, they changed, becoming far less…civilised. Now, all they need is to drink the blood of a human. Drink it up. All of it.” Hope shuddered at the words that Cressida spoke.
    “We also were once like that, but over years we have learnt to control our urges, enabling us to live among humans. After tonight, I can’t be sure I wouldn’t kill, for the urging of need comes upon us unawares. Then we become one of them—no more than an animal seeking its next drink.” She exhaled heavily and opened her eyes. Once more the blue reasserted itself, but Hope saw the tremor in her hands.
    “Child, it is also time for me to take up a position I have been avoiding for many years. You may see me again, in the future, but I will never be what I was again. The Cressida you knew is gone, and I must find a new one to replace it. I don’t know if that can be achieved in this…in your lifespan.” Cressida smiled slowly and Hope thought there was a tinge of sadness in it.
    “Just one more question then, Cressida? What is the reason that they took me and not David?”
    “Child, I expected you to ask that. It is something I cannot answer at the moment, as it is something you must discover on your own. Either that, or your parents must share that information. You already know some of it, with your awareness of things that others do not have—your dreams. But there is more than this and it is not something I can tell you.” She stopped and Hope watched, perplexed as she reached out a hand towards her. “The only thing I can say is that your safety, above all others, is paramount.” She stopped and the intercom buzzed.
    “Mistress, we are at the safe house and I am entering the garage.”
    “Thank you, Thomas. Once we are in, I will await the door being opened. Are the servants waiting for Hope?”
    Hope felt pain in her chest, not from a wound, but from within her. This was a goodbye she had never considered. It was one she didn’t want.
    “Yes, Mistress.” Hope’s eyes prickled with hot tears. But she was a big girl. She swallowed the lump lodged in her throat.
    “Then, Hope, for now I will bid you adieu, but not goodbye, for I have a feeling that in the years to come we will cross paths again. Take care, my