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

all this time. Why would that change now?
    “Oh, believe me, it’s quite possible. And if you do, I will end your miserable existence before it has even begun.” His tone remained calm, never elevating to anger.
    Dane ran his fingers across his face and felt the prick of sharp points sticking out from under his upper lip. “What did she do to me? My teeth…I’ve become a beast. She’s turned me into a demon from the pit of hell.” How can this be? Am I dead? Good lord, this can’t be real.
    “ Vampire is a more precise term,” Ta’breyian said dryly.
    “Why do your eyes glow like that?” He scooted back, unsure how to come to terms with what he’d learned about himself, and trusting no one.
    “We are one and the same.” He rose. “But I’m not like the female who attacked you. I don’t drink from the flesh. Besides, there is another way to live.”
    Did he really want to know the answer? “How?”
    “You can hunt animals instead. It’s a difficult transition but you’ll soon adjust. We all have.”
    Dear lord, there are more of you blasted creatures running loose here in London? “What choice are you offering me?”
    “Marcus, will you join us, please?” he said in a loud voice.
    A man appeared, dressed in similar attire. He had dark hair and was of the same build as Ta’breyian.
    “How’d you do that?” Dane reared back. “Are you a ghost?” Could it get stranger?
    “I wish I could offer you an explanation that would make sense of the situation you find yourself in. Fate, I’m afraid, has dealt you a terrible blow, as is true for all of us who have fallen victim to this dreadful curse. But you can have a sense of purpose, if you choose, by joining us in the fight against the creatures who have stolen your life from you.”
    “Doing what, pray tell?” This wasn’t his plan. He had a business to run.
    “You will become a Hunter like Ta’breyian, as part of the Order of the Dragon.”
    This is sheer madness. “And if I refuse?”
    “That is your choice. I would never force anyone to join against their will. As long as you refrain from seeking out a human to satisfy your bloodlust, you are free to live in peace among us.”
    “I never said I wasn’t interested,” he grumbled, still grappling with the idea of what he had become.
    “So is that yes?”
    Several seconds ticked by before Dane was ready to answer. But as the pangs of thirst burned his throat, his decision was made. He would not rest until every last one of those bastards was dead. “I will join you.”

Chapter Two
    Boston, Massachusetts. Flann O’Brien’s Irish Pub
    May 2012
     
    “I have great news to share,” Jenny Harlon yelled over the noisy, crowded pub as her best friend Marley approached the bar.
    “Don’t tell me. Let me guess. You got the job at Voss International.”
    “Yup.”
    “That’s freaking awesome. I’m so proud of you.” Marley gave her a big hug.
    “It was a complete shock. There were over a hundred applicants competing for that position.” She stared past Marley—she felt unworthy of the opportunity.
    “Girl, what am I going to do with you?” Marley looked at her with a pained expression.
    “What do you mean?” Jenny knew what she meant but the words had innocently slipped out before she could take them back.
    “How many times do I have to remind you that the past doesn’t define who you are today?”
    I wish I could believe that. “Sorry, old habits die hard I guess.”
    Why couldn’t she be more like Marley? She was right—there was no reason to be anything but excited after receiving such wonderful news.
    “There goes that far-off look again. Am I going to have to get you good and drunk for you to stop that line of thinking?” she asked.
    “I’m being a killjoy, aren’t I?”
    “Nah, you’re just being you. Forget it. So when did you hear?” She popped some beer nuts into her mouth, changing the subject back to the topic of Jenny’s job.
    “I got the call this