To Curse the Darkness Read Free

Vampire. And so you were, in a manner of speaking. But the truth is somewhat more complicated than we may have led you to believe. The fact of the matter is that you—”
    â€œWe were born this way,” Julie finished for him. “That’s what you’re saying. It’s true, isn’t it?”
    Conrad’s lips tightened. “You already know. I see.”
    â€œWhat?” Armand’s startled gaze tracked back and forth between them. “ Non. C’est impossible! That cannot be.”
    â€œI suppose Marc told you?”
    â€œNo, of course he didn’t. I figured it out on my own.” Now it was Julie who paused, eyes narrowing in suspicion. “Wait a minute. You’re saying Marc knows? Since when? How come no one ever told me ?”
    â€œCalmly, chica ,” Damian said soothingly. “Your brother hasn’t known for very long either. If it makes you feel better, he figured it out on his own just as you did. And of course we didn’t tell you. We’ve been trying to protect you.”
    â€œProtect me?” Julie huffed out an angry breath. “That’s just great. How’s that working out? ’Cause, after tonight not so good is what I’m thinking.” Armand reached over and pulled her into his embrace. Julie curled in to him, resting her head on his shoulder. “Damn it, we’re not children anymore. You can’t just keep things from us. We have a right to know about this stuff.”
    â€œI think we’re beginning to see that,” Conrad replied, casting a fleeting smile at Damian.
    â€œI don’t understand,” Armand protested. “Born Vampires? I always thought… Mon Dieu . How is that even possible?”
    â€œIt’s not possible.” The denial was automatic. Conrad quickly corrected himself. “That is to say, I have no idea how it occurred. To the best of my knowledge, such a thing has never happened before. There have always been stories, of course, legends and rumors and myths. But the truth is, we don’t really know how such a thing could have happened; we can only conjecture.”
    Julie frowned. “How could you not know? My mother knew. Didn’t she tell you?”
    â€œNo, my dear.” Conrad shook his head. “I’m sorry, but in truth it was a very chaotic time. I only found out about…about her pregnancy…after you and your brother were born. I was in shock, your mother was dying—I could hardly interrogate her under such conditions. Beyond making a brief, unsuccessful attempt to discover who was responsible for her condition, I chose to spend what little time I had left with her saying goodbye. Whatever she knew, or thought she knew—for I very much doubt she could have had much real information—died with her.”
    â€œTheir mother,” Armand repeated cautiously. “ Who was their mother?”
    Conrad winced at the wary note in his voice, that hint of dread. Had he begun to guess what the answer must be? “ Mon ami , you should prepare yourself for a shock.”
    â€œI think you probably knew her as Desert Rose.” It was Julie who answered, favoring Armand with a sympathetic smile. “Or Wind-Chime Girl, as I like to call her.”
    â€œWh-what?” Armand drew in another startled breath. His gaze met Conrad’s, demanding confirmation. “No.”
    Conrad glared at Julie. “Where did you hear that name?”
    â€œWhat, Wind-Chime Girl?”
    â€œNo. The other one.”
    â€œOh.” Julie hesitated. She gazed thoughtfully at Conrad for a moment, then shrugged and answered, “From a friend of hers.”
    â€œWhat friend is this?” Damian demanded. “Where is all this information coming from?Honestly, chica , I don’t know how you can complain about our keeping secrets from you when it seems the shoe is firmly on the other foot. Why have you said nothing about any of this