Vampire Cursed Read Free Page B

I’ll just be…”
    Nathaniel had moved swiftly, one hand pressed against the door to prevent her escape.  “Abigail, I need you to stay.”
    She blinked up at him, and her world tilted slightly.  She couldn’t have mistaken the catch in his voice.  “Tell me why.”
    “It is a long story.”
    “It would appear I have all night.”
    “I am cursed,” he spoke harshly, stepping away from her, his hands dropping to his sides.  He spun around, presenting his back.
    Abby bit down on her lower lip and considered his words carefully.  “Cursed how?  You mean like possessed or do you just have bad luck?”
    He gave a cold laugh which chilled her.  “Bad luck?  No, this is far more than bad luck.”  He pivoted to face her in slow motion. “I was born July 3 rd .”
    Her brow furrowed.  “Okay.  So that makes you, what, a Cancer?  So what?”
    “1702,” he added.
    The furrow deepened.  “1702?  What about it?”
    He sighed, though it came out more like a huff of air.  “I was born July 3, 1702.”
    Abby laughed.  “Yeah.  Right.  And I’m Joan of Arc.  That would make you over three hundred years old, and while I watch a lot of strange television shows, I’m not so stupid as to believe a man could still be living, looking as good as you do, at three hundred years of age. So nice try, but you can’t be that old. It’s physically impossible.”
    The Duke didn’t speak, simply stood, arms folded, waiting for disbelief to segue into belief, for Abby to step into a world where impossibilities existed.
    Her eyes widened.  “That’s impossible.”
    “That is my curse.”
    “Age is your curse?”
    “Immortality is my curse, at least a portion of it.”
    Perspiration pooled between her breasts.  “Could you speak in English here because, while I’m open to the supernatural and unusual phenomenon and all that stuff, I’m really having a hard time with this one?”
    “As well you should.”  He was back in front of her.  How was he able to move without her seeing him?  Yet, each time he drew near, she felt him, the heat from his skin.
    “Are you going to explain it to me?”
    “I think I’ve told you enough for the night.  You should rest.”
    “Like I’m going to be able to sleep until you tell me the rest of the story.  Come on.  You can’t expect me to go to sleep with this hanging over my head.  I mean, you tell me you’re a three hundred year old immortal with a curse and then expect me to count sheep.”  Abby hardened her own voice, her determination strong.  “I want some more answers, and I mean the entire truth. I think, at the very least, you could give me that much.”
    Nathaniel muttered a curse. “You know how to try a man’s patience.”
    “It’s a gift. Now let’s have it.”
    “Abigail, there are things in this world that cannot be explained, things that mere mortals should not know.”
    “Let me guess. I’m one of those mere mortals.” Abby folded her arms, determined to keep a brave face regardless of the secret the Duke held up his elegantly tailored sleeve
    “You would be better of not knowing…at least not yet.”
    “You’d rather I leave then? Because I can have a cab here like,” she snapped her fingers, “that.”
    He walked away from her, his back ramrod straight. The dimness in the room his most of his body from her, but she could still make out the silky length of his hair. Her fingers itched to touch it, and she almost hated herself for that.
    She knew precious little about this man, and yet, she felt strangely drawn to him, like he could give her information about herself even she didn’t know. As crazy as it sounded, Abby had to know what he was hiding before she left.
    “It is not always as easy to hear the truth. In fact, sometimes it’s more difficult than revealing it.”
     “Give me more credit than that.  You just told me you’re three hundred plus years old, and I didn’t fall headfirst into hysterics.”  
    “That