Whispers of Night: 1 (Immortal Embrace) Read Free Page A

tight. A curse breached his lips as he moved closer.
    “Help me,” Dane rasped as his vision became a blur and the world around him faded to black.
    * * * * *
     
    “You’re finally awake,” a deep voice said.
    Dane’s eyes fluttered open and he quickly reached for his neck. The wounds were gone. What the…?
    “Where am I?” His throat was parched as if he’d swallowed sand.
    “You’re safe but still very weak. I’m surprised you survived after such a vicious attack.”
    Did this stranger see the woman who’d attacked him? “Who are you?” His eyes finally focused on the imposing figure standing over him.
    “My name is Ta’breyian and you are?”
    “Dane Voss.” The thirst was becoming more unbearable.
    “You are lucky I happened upon you when I did. The female who attacked you was a vicious creature.”
    “Indeed.” He lay back against the pillow. “Thank you for saving my life.”
    “I wouldn’t thank me just yet.” He frowned.
    There was an air of isolation about this male and Dane wasn’t sure what to make of that last statement. He was dressed all in black, with blond, shoulder-length hair. His eyes were a strange iridescent blue that glowed in the dim light.
    My eyes must be playing tricks. “How long was I unconscious?” He became suddenly wary.
    “You have been in my company at least a week.”
    “My brother…I must go.” Alarmed by this knowledge, he quickly sat up.
    “I’m afraid that’s not possible. You cannot go back to your old life.”
    “The bloody hell I can’t.” Dane rose to his feet. If he had to fight for his freedom, so be it.
    “I do not wish to battle you,” Ta’breyian replied.
    “Then you will let me leave. I’m grateful that you saved my life. But I must go.”
    “Very well.” Ta’breyian stepped aside. “But I must warn you the sun is out.”
    What is that supposed to mean? “So it is. Good day.” He made his way out of the room and saw a door that he hoped would lead to freedom and the end to this nightmare.
    His brother must be sick with worry.
    Dane reached for the handle and yanked it open. A blast of heat seared his skin and he stumbled back, kicking the door shut as smoke billowed off his flesh.
    “Dear god!” he bellowed in pain.
    “I tried to warn you,” Ta’breyian said from behind.
    Dane trembled as pure terror settled over him. “Why did my flesh catch fire? Did you douse me with some sort of flammable liquid?”
    “Don’t be ridiculous. If I had, your skin would still be ablaze. There’s no cloud cover. In your new condition, direct sunlight will burn your flesh.”
    My new condition—what the fuck does that mean? His brain tried to make sense of this puzzling mystery but in the end he came up empty. “What’s wrong with me?” He sat on the ground and hugged his knees, resting his temple on his forearm.
    “I’m not sure you’re ready to accept the truth of what you’ve become.”
    “What am I? Tell me.” Dan lifted his head to meet Ta’breyian’s penetrating gaze.
    “You have become a creature of the night. Forever bound to walk in its shadows, my friend.”
    He growled, “We’re not friends.”
    “Listen to me very carefully and take heed of my words. Tonight the urge to feed will be upon you. There is no stopping it. If you attempt to drink from the living, I will end you, are we clear?”
    “Feed, feed on whom? Are you insane? What kind of craziness do you speak of? I shall do no such thing.”
    “Do you love your brother? Is his life important to you?” Ta’breyian knelt in front of Dane.
    “Do not speak of him in such a manner,” he said, rage taking hold at the unspoken accusation. Did Ta’breyian believe he would attack his own brother, for Christ’s sake?
    “Until I teach you how to control your thirst, yes,” he said, answering Dane’s unspoken words.
    “I would never!” he sputtered in disbelief. Is he insane? There is no way I could ever harm him. I’ve done nothing but try to protect him