Vampire - Child of Destiny (Vampire Series Book 2) Read Free Page B

mind, because all I could see and hear were the four innocent people climbing onto the table.  The sight of the four of them, artfully arranging themselves in preparation for their own deaths, was truly hideous and revolting!
     
    Robert jumped from the table, landing beside me.  I could tell from the sardonic quirk of his mouth that he could tell that I felt disgusted by what I was witnessing.  My compassion, the one thing he had always told me he loved best about me, was the one emotion that he was now using against me.  For the first time I was seeing the man who slaughtered Tom's family so heartlessly, and it was a man that I hated!
     
    I wanted to run away and definitely did not want to take Anne's life.  Feeding from a human was one thing, but stealing life from the innocent was not my idea of fun. I thought it barbaric and cruel.  However, I knew that if I refused to do as Robert commanded then he would become angrier, and whilst he was in a rage like this, I was not sure that if I disobeyed him, I would or would not be lying on the floor in a heap like Emily.
     
    I felt his gaze searing into my flesh as he waited to see how I would react.  I also felt the crowd’s eyes on me; they were all waiting to see how I would take this command.  It was a test.  A test I really did not want to partake in, but I knew that I would need to perform it, before I gained their trust.
     
    I am certain that Robert saw the emotions play across my face, he knew how I was feeling, but he would not give in, it was my turn to submit.
    "Come, my love," he whispered, "Our feast awaits..."
     
    A solitary tear made its way down my cheek as I looked up at him.  He lifted his hand and gently wiped the tear away with his thumb, and then whilst his eyes burnt into mine, his tongue darted out, licking the salty proof of my compassion.  Leading me closer to the table, he said, “Your tears are mine, your life is mine, you are mine...never forget that!"
     
    Shaking my hand from his grip, I walked towards Anne.  I wanted to get this finished as quickly as possible.  I knew the others would play with their victims for hours, teasing, and torturing them, but I just could not do that. 
     
    Looking into Anne's guileless, innocent eyes, tears once again fell from my eyes.  Leaning forward, I gently swept the hair from her face and neck.
    "I'm so sorry, please forgive me," I whispered.  Her answering smile, I knew, would become a bittersweet memory for many years to come.
     
    My fangs sunk deep into her jugular.  The taste of her blood, although in truth exquisite; would always be remembered as bitter.  I drank deeply, willing her to die quickly.
     
    Her body became limp in my arms, her skin cold to the touch.  I heard the soft fluttering of her heart, attempting to pump a substance that no longer flowed so freely through her body.  THUMP...THUMP...Then, nothing.
     
    I pulled my fangs from her neck, and looked into her pale lifeless face.  I knew the other vampires would think I was pathetic, but not caring what they thought, I once again gently stroked her hair into place. This time I covered the evidence of the puncture wounds I had made whilst taking her young innocent life.  I did not care what they thought anymore.  I wished I had resisted, even if that had meant Robert’s wrath.
     
    I sensed Robert move behind me, and I gently lay Anne back on the table.  I closed her eyes with my fingertips, and then turned towards Robert.
     
    "It needed to be done, my love...you needed to let go."  His voice had returned to a soft and gentle tone, his face shone with empathy for my pain.
     
    "Did it?" I said, my voice ringing angrily in my ears.  "Don't you have enough followers, enough murderers...any of these," I swung my arms around to indicate the vampires surrounding us, "Would kill for you...but that's not enough is it?  You collect souls, Robert.  However, I assure you of this; no matter how many people you order me to